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Mode and Duration of Study

Research can be undertaken on either a full time (3 years) or a part time (6 years) basis.
In the first instance, research students are registered as 'undifferentiated research students'. Registration for the higher research degree of PhD follows the successful completion of ‘differentiation’, a formal review of progress which takes place before 18 months full-time or 36 months part-time registration. Students may also opt or be advised to register for the research degree of MPhil at differentiation.

A PhD dissertation should not normally exceed 80,000 words in length, and should be completed within three years (full time) or six years (part-time) registration.

An MPhil dissertation should not normally exceed 50,000 words and should be completed within two years (full time) or four years (part-time) registration.

More information on research degree regulations and requirements is available at the Postgraduate Office website.