Academic Manual Chapter 5: Research Degrees framework

The academic manual, chapter 5 (Part A-I), is moving to the Doctoral School website https://www.ucl.ac.uk/doctoral-school/regulations from 1st September 2025 (when the 2025/26 regulations will be published).

The present Chapter 5 website will link to ensure people are redirected to the Doctoral School website.

There will be some structural changes to the regulations with Chapters C and D merging with Part A, along with an updating of Part B (Assessment).

Changes to the regulations for 2025/26, as agreed by RDC are summarised below (main changes):

Interruption of study: maximum period of interruption will be 4 years and students can interrupt for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 12 months at a time.

Requirements of a PhD thesis:  An additional section has been added to address PhD Practice-Related and Practice-Led Routes within the departments of the Slade, Geography and Anthropology.

Outcomes of the Oral Examination: Students who receive an outcome of resubmission must have a second oral examination; Students will be given up to six months to complete minor corrections.

Joint Reports: Examiners will be asked to confirm any support the student has received is appropriate (this will include the use of generative AI) and to report on the format of the viva.

Contact details for further information: d.blundred@ucl.ac.uk