PhD by Public Works

This doctorate recognises candidates whose existing body of work already meets the level of originality, coherence and importance expected of a PhD. The material must be publicly available, such as peer-reviewed articles, books, artworks, performances or reports. Candidates submit the works together with a commentary explaining their setting within a field and what they add to knowledge. Examiners assess both the works and the commentary at the viva, measuring them against doctoral descriptors. The route suits professionals and practitioners whose established output deserves doctoral recognition, without the need to design a new research programme from scratch. Support is available from the university throughout the process. The commentary is judged for clarity as well as for originality. Candidates benefit from supervision that helps them frame their work for examiners.