Admission and selection

(2)9.3

Applications for admission to a higher doctorate programme shall be considered in accordance with these regulations and any additional requirements specified in other Senate Regulations.

General entry requirement

(2)9.4

Applicants for a higher doctorate degree must be:

• a graduate of the University, or a graduate of the University of London whose degree was undertaken as a registered student of the University College of Leicester, provided that
  • a. the qualification was awarded at least eight years previously (Bachelors or Integrated Masters degree graduates), or
  • b. the qualification was awarded at least seven years previously (Masters degree graduates), or
  • c. the qualification was awarded at least six years previously (research degree graduates), or
• a graduate of another university of at least eight years standing, provided that they are
  • a. a current or former member of the University’s academic staff who has at the date of application completed at least three years of full-time service or six years of part-time service with the University, or
  • b. a current or former clinical or scientific member of staff of the National Health Service, or academic member of staff of the Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, who has at the date of application held an honorary position with the University for a period of at least three years

Admission decisions

(2)9.5

The applicant must provide an initial submission comprising:

• a statement of around 1,000 words describing their contribution to knowledge and their suitability for a higher doctorate qualification
• a complete list of their authored works
• an indicative list of those works which the applicant intends to submit for examination, identifying
  • a. works which are the result of work undertaken by or with others and the nature of the applicant’s contribution in each case
  • b. works which have previously been submitted by the applicant for a degree of the University or another institution
• a complete curriculum vitae
• the specified application form and registration fee

(2)9.6

An assessment using the initial submission shall be made of the applicant’s suitability for a higher doctorate qualification.

(2)9.7

The assessment of the initial submission must be conducted by a review panel comprising at least two members, one of whom should normally be the Head of Department. Other members of the review panel must be senior members of the University’s academic staff with expertise relevant to the applicant’s area of research.

(2)9.8

A decision to make an offer of admission to a higher doctorate programme must be endorsed by the review panel and shall be subject to approval from the Graduate Dean.

(2)9.9

A decision to make an offer of admission to a higher doctorate degree programme must not be made by staff who have or have had a close personal or professional relationship with the applicant or the applicant’s immediate family.

(2)9.10

If the applicant is not made an offer of admission to a higher doctorate programme, the review panel shall be responsible for providing the applicant with written feedback on the reasons for this.

(2)9.11

The formal offer of admission to the degree of LLD, DLitt, or DSc must be made by the Graduate School Office.