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Assessment
Each of the six modules as well as the final thesis is assessed. The assessment schedule is divided into three parts.
1. Assessment of Part One of the Programme consists of:
A written assignment of 6-8,000 words (or equivalent) for each of the
three core modules.
Three short assignments for Module A (5-6,000 words equivalent , in total).
Four short submissions (reports, presentations, exercises), which summarise
three strands of action research for Module B. Though the reports themselves
will be short (500 - 1000 words), they will be assessed in the context
of an interim portfolio of supporting documentation and evidence.
2. Following completion of Part One those students progressing at PhD level students must produce an MPhil to PhD conversion document, reviewing work carried out in Part One and containing a research plan for the PhD thesis (3-5,000 words equivalent).
3. Assessment of Part Two of the Programme consists of:
- Three further short assignments for Module C (2-3,000 words equivalent, in total).
- A thesis of 40-50,000 words equivalent for the PhD; 20-30,000 words equivalent for the MPhil.
- There is an oral examination for the PhD thesis.
Work for modules A, B and C is graded on a Pass or Fail basis. Work for the three core modules is graded on a three point scale equating to PhD level, MPhil level, or failure. Resubmission is permitted subject to certain conditions.
Requirements for successful completion at PhD level
Students must pass all the elements of assessment: that is, Modules
A and B, the three core modules at Grade 1(PhD level), the conversion
proposal and the thesis (40 - 50,000 words), including its oral examination.
Progression from Part One to Part Two can be followed at MPhil level.
Students must achieve a passing grade on the Part One work for Modules
A and B, the three core modules at Grade 2 (MPhil level) and the thesis
(20 - 30,000 words).
The Thesis (PhD level)
Each student completes a thesis of around 45,000 words. The thesis must represent an original contribution to knowledge and must contain material which is of publishable quality. Most of the work on the thesis is carried out during Part Two of the programme (Years Three and Four), though a serious start will be made on defining research objectives and a research plan during Years One and Two. The thesis is similar in form to, and at least as rigorous in intellectual demands as, the conventional PhD thesis. It may be more concisely written and presented than most such theses. This is because it does not have to demonstrate the full range of the student's competence and achievements as these are also partially documented through the module assessment tasks.
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