Research Degrees

The PhD is a programme of independent, self-directed academic research, supported by a team of supervisors that makes an original contribution to knowledge written up in a thesis. The PhD programme also supports the development of research and generic skills to equip you to operate successfully as a professional researcher in any setting.

By studying for a PhD, you will gain extensive knowledge and expertise in a specific area of your choice.

The MPhil is a research degree that focuses on independent, self-directed research reviewing or surveying, collating and evaluating existing knowledge on an approved topic. Students will then present the findings in a thesis for examination including a viva exam.

Like the PhD, the MPhil develops your research and generic skills and is pursued under the guidance of a team of expert supervisors. It differs from the PhD in that it is a smaller scale of work, conducted over a shorter period of time and does not create new knowledge in the field.

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a doctoral research degree undertaken by medical graduates. An MD project is of more focused scope and therefore shorter in length than PhD study but is of comparable depth and the work should also make an original contribution to medical knowledge. It may be laboratory- or clinically-based and will focus on a specific clinical research topic.

Practising UK-based GMC-registered clinicians may undertake a full- or part-time MD to work on a research question that arises from or is part of their clinical duties and interests. 

Professional doctorates are structured doctoral research degrees with taught elements that address aspects of theory, practice and research. They are equivalent in time, intellectual demand and academic outcomes to those of a traditional PhD.

Professional Doctorate students make a contribution to both theory and practice in their field, and develop professional practice by making a contribution to (professional) knowledge primarily through advanced supervised research written up as a thesis.

The PhD by Published Work route is intended primarily for mid-career research-active academics who, for one reason or another, haven’t had the opportunity to undertake a research programme leading to a PhD. Submissions for this award will consist of coherent body of work which is of the same quality, rigour and volume as required of a standard PhD in your field and which constitutes an original contribution to knowledge. 

At the University of Wolverhampton this route is only available for academic staff of the University appointed to a full-time contract or occupying a substantive part-time post equivalent to at least 0.2 of a full-time contract.

See 'Part D: Regulations for the degree award of PhD by Published Work' for more information: 

Higher Doctorates are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated a command over a field of study and who have made a significant original contribution to the advancement of knowledge or to the application of knowledge (or to both).

Applications may be made for the following higher doctorates:

• Doctor of Arts (DArt)
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctor of Design (DDes)
• Doctor of Engineering (DEng)
• Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
• Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)
• Doctor of Music (DMus)
• Doctor of Science (DSc)
• Doctor of Social Science (DSocSc)
• Doctor of Technology (DTech)

Higher doctorates are awarded based on a submission of a substantial portfolio of research-based work. The applicant must have published research outputs in the accepted media within their field of significant quality and quantity, and be involved in peer reviews of their subject.

 The work submitted must be of high distinction and must establish that the applicant is a leading authority in the field or fields of study concerned. Applicants must evidence a sustained and coherent contribution in their field over a number of years that is consistent with the applicant playing a leading role in their subject area. Applicants must demonstrate leadership in their field, the nature of which must be set out clearly in the applicant’s statement.

See 'Part E: Regulations for the award of Higher Doctorate' for more information.