Research Degrees at Coventry
All research degrees at the University are mapped to the UK QAA Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications in England and Wales.
All candidates applying for a research degree must:
- Meet the Academic entry requirements as defined by Section 4 of the Academic Regulations or those defined within the programme specification;
- Have sufficient command of the English language to be able to complete satisfactorily the programme of study and to prepare and defend the thesis in English. All applicants where English is not their first language must meet the English Language requirements as defined in Section 4 of the University's Academic Regulations.
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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
FHEQ Level 8
Registration Period Expected Maximum Full-time 36 months 48 months Part-time 72 months 84 Months Coventry University offers a suite of programmes for research students. We run a broad portfolio of doctoral training centres which are located within our research centres and provide a high-quality research culture and environment to support a vibrant community of Postgraduate Researchers.
We offer a number of doctorate opportunities to study for a PhD within one of our Research Centres. All Postgraduate Researchers will have access to a Supervisory team and be part of the University’s ever growing research community, both within the Research Centres and across the University.
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Professional Doctorates
FHEQ Level 8
Registration Period Expected Maximum Full-time 36 months 48 months Part-time 60 months 84 Months We also offer a range of business and industry-focused and located research degrees. These are termed professional doctorates.
We currently offer:
Professional doctorates are designed for business and industry professionals and are mainly targeted at those with the experience and roles to facilitate impactful change within their organisations as a result of their research.
Questions can arise about the differences between professional doctoral degrees and traditional degrees such as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
To clarify: a doctorate is an umbrella term for the highest degree awarded by a university. All UK doctoral students have to carry out original research or the application of existing knowledge in a new context. All doctoral graduates are considered experts in their field and can use the title ‘doctor’. In professional and practice-based doctorates the research might also have a direct effect on organisational policy and change, as well as improving personal practice.
The main difference between a PhD and a professional doctorate in a nutshell is that ;the research in a professional doctorate“directly relates to and is rooted in the researcher’s professional practice” (Mellors-Bourne et al: 2016)
You can find out more specific information of types of doctoral degree in the Doctoral degree characteristics (QAA, 2015)
Coventry University professional doctorates combine taught elements which are designed to enhance research skills and capabilities, with original research which forms the basis of a doctoral portfolio. This is presented in a thesis at the end of the degree and is examined through an interview by subject experts (who can be from a university and from a relevant business/industry/third sector organisation).
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PhD by Publication
Coventry University’s PhD by Publication programme is designed for active researchers who have already produced a number of publications but have not been awarded a PhD. This route differs from a ‘traditional’ PhD as it allows you to use existing publications to form a research portfolio.
The PhD by Publication route offers two pathways:
- Candidates who have a complete set of existing outputs from previous research will be enrolled on a two-year pathway. You will receive supervision to identify the outputs for your portfolio and complete the PhD submission process.
- Candidates who have a small amount of existing outputs from previous research will be enrolled on a three-year pathway, where you will work with a supervisor to undertake further scholarly or practice-based work and/or produce further outputs before submission.
Pathway 1 Registration Period Expected Maximum Part-time 24 months 36 Months Pathway 2 Registration Period Expected Maximum Part-time 36 months 48 Months -
Masters by Research
FHEQ Level 7
Registration Period Expected Maximum Full-time 12 months 24 months Part-time 24 months 48 Months Coventry University offers a suite of programmes for research students. We run a broad portfolio of doctoral training centres which are located within our research centres and provide a high-quality research culture and environment to support a vibrant community of Postgraduate Researchers.
As a Masters by Research Postgraduate Researcher you will be engaged with research with academic support from your supervisory team. You are required to engage with researcher development activities to support your growth as a researcher. This is an ideal stepping stone from Undergraduate study before transferring to or applying for a doctoral programme.
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Doctoral Programmes using Distance Learning model
Structured PhD Framework
Coventry University offers Structured PhDs which are developed as standalone programmes within the Structured PhD Framework. Programmes are delivered entirely remotely and include a suite of research skills development workshops and subject specific elements.
Structured PhDs are designed to be delivered to both cohorts of candidates and individual applicants to develop a supportive research culture. Structured PhDs offer a scaffolded and supportive delivery approach to support distance learners on their journey to gaining a Doctorate.
IMPORTANT - The Structured PhD is delivered remotely and there is no requirement for postgraduate researchers to attend Coventry University campus. As such the University are unable to sponsor International applicants for a study visa under UKVI rules. A CAS will therefore not be issued for International applicants on these programmes.
PhD in Global Education
The PhD in Global Education has been developed for professionals working as educators in various settings around the world, with a key focus on the global nature of education. It’s a programme for those who want to gain and use research skills in order to improve practice in their settings, from a background of understanding global educational issues.
The online PhD is a structured doctorate, which means it has key milestones en route. Throughout the programme you will learn more about yourself as a professional and how research can enhance your day to day work. The purpose, as with any doctorate, is to develop a substantial piece of original research, with a specific focus on research that has clear relevance to policy and/or practice. The main aim of the programme is to enable you to acquire advanced knowledge and a critically reflective understanding of a range of research skills. This knowledge will be related to a specialist field of study and applied within a professional context, in order to contribute to developing professional understanding and practice.
The programme aims to develop reflective, well-informed and competent researchers able to support professional colleagues and others undertaking research. Its key features are:
- An approach which allows participants who may be working full-time in education to take advantage of a structured submission process, according to an agreed timetable, thus supporting timely submission;
- A pathway with Masters modules to enable participants without a Masters to gain skills and confidence in research and clarity of focus;
- An approach which allows for innovative assessment with the consent of the supervisory team;
- Structured support workshops online as part of the Coventry Doctoral College research community.
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International Integrated Doctorate
Note: This Framework is not open to general applications and has restricted admission.
The International Integrated Doctorate Framework is a combined offer of a four year Doctorate (PhD). The Framework provides a robust support for international doctoral candidates wishing to undertake research leading to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Award. The Framework has restricted admission and is not open to general applicants. The Framework has specific entry requirements to those for the standard PhD and integrates:
- Academic English for research;
- Advanced critical thinking research skills training;
- Doctoral research project.
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Cotutelle PhD Programmes
Coventry University is a global research university and has developed significant collaborations with highly-regarded research partners around the world. Many of our strategic partnerships are underpinned by a jointly developed cotutelle PhD programme which enables candidates to benefit from enrolment, supervisory support and awards from Coventry University, and one of our international partner institutions. Find out more about the Cotutelle PhD Programmes.
