Research Degree Programmes

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) / Practice-based MPhil

The MPhil is awarded to a candidate who, having critically investigated and evaluated an approved topic and demonstrated an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field, has presented and defended a thesis and/or practical element, by viva voce, to the satisfaction of the examiners. Candidates may register to study for an MPhil on a full- or part-time basis.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Thesis / Practice-based PhD

The PhD involves a more complex and advanced project and is awarded to a candidate who, having critically investigated and evaluated an approved topic resulting in an independent and original contribution to knowledge and demonstrated an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field, has presented and defended a thesis and/or practical element, by viva voce, to the satisfaction of the examiners. Because of the extended nature of the research project, most candidates register initially for an MPhil and subsequently transfer to a PhD, once sufficient progress has been made.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Publication

The PhD by Publication is normally only available to members of BU staff.

The PhD by Publication is awarded to a candidate on the basis of publications or other practical elements, together with an accompanying synthesis in which the candidate must demonstrate a critical investigation, providing an original contribution to knowledge, and an understanding of appropriate research methodology for the chosen field. The candidate must also present and defend their thesis, incorporating publications or other practical elements appropriate to the candidate’s field of research and synthesis, by viva voce, to the satisfaction of the examiners.

Professional Doctorates

The Professional Doctorate is awarded to a candidate who, having critically investigated and evaluated an approved organisation-centred topic resulting in a fundamental advance in organisation-centred performance, or professional practice topic resulting in a fundamental advance in theory and practice, and demonstrated an understanding of appropriate research methods, has presented and defended a thesis, by viva voce, to the satisfaction of the examiners.

The Professional Doctorates are designed to encourage practising professionals to pursue formal qualifications through in-depth research related to activities performed in the workplace. These programmes are an emerging part of the postgraduate and professional portfolio of BU and include:

• Doctor of Professional Practice (DProf)
  The School of Health and Social Care is offering a Professional Doctorate which is ideal for health and social care professionals from a range of backgrounds including: lecturer practitioners who have completed masters studies; practitioners aspiring to be a nurse or therapy consultants; service leaders and managers from a variety of health and social care organisations including general practitioners, psychotherapists and counsellors, and educationalists. This programme can be completed whilst in part-time or full-time employment.


• Professional Doctorate - Creative Industries (DProf)
  The Media School is offering a Professional Doctorate exclusively for the media industry. The academic standing of this qualification is equivalent to that of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and provides one of the highest qualifications of intrinsic value and status available to practitioners, leading to the title of Doctor. This programme can be completed whilst in part-time or full-time employment. The assessment will focus on the production of a final thesis and where appropriate, maybe accompanied by either supporting material (artefacts in a non-written form) which may be assessed by academics and industry professionals in a viva voce and exhibition format


• Professional or Engineering Doctorate (DProf/DEng)
  The Centre for Digital Entertainment (BU Media School and Bath University) is offering a unique doctoral program that places researchers directly in companies to work on real projects across digital media, animation, games and VFX. These projects will form the basis of an Engineering or Professional Doctorate. The program lasts 4 years with 75% of the programme based in a company. The research is supported by access to a range of options from Bath and Bournemouth’s respected Masters programmes. This taught programme will be tailor made for individual needs and arranged in consultation with the researcher, the host company and academic supervisors.