Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Study Postgraduate

PhD by published work

What is a PhD published work?

A PhD awarded for the submission of a portfolio of published research to the standard of a regular PhD.

Who can apply?

Candidates may apply for the PhD by published work under Regulation 38 and the associated Guidance on the Requirements for the Award of Research Degrees.

Candidates must be either:

  • Members of academic staff or administrative or library staff of equivalent status of the University. Normally has been employed by the University for at least three years immediately prior to the submission of published work; or
  • Graduates of at least seven year’s standing normally holding a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Please note: You do not need to be a Warwick graduate to be able to apply for the PhD by published work.

Application Process

  1. Candidates must make a research application using the standard online Postgraduate Application Form
  2. Candidates must apply for the PhD most relevant to the portfolio of work that they will be submitting
  3. Candidates should state clearly on the form that they wish to be considered for the PhD by Published Work
  4. Candidates should then submit their CV (this can be uploaded with their application) and copies of the Works to be considered
  5. Candidates should submit between 3 - 8 publications, which will form the intellectual basis of the examination for the award, for consideration (this may vary dependent on the discipline and focus of the candidate's research)
  6. Submissions should include further contextual information regarding the publications, including, but not limited to, the profile of journals that articles have been published in, the candidate's individual contribution to each of their publications, the number of citations, and their significance to the field.

Consideration Process

  1. The Head of the relevant department will initially consider the submission. (S)he will appoint an Academic Advisor to provide guidance to the candidate on the presentation of the published work.
  2. The academic department will complete a PhD by Published Work approval form and will upload this to the applicant portal when recommending an offer. This should contain a statement from the supervisor and Head of Department outlining the candidate’s suitability for admission based on the submission of published works.
  3. An offer can only be made once the Chair of the Postgraduate Research Subcommittee has given his/her approval following consideration of the aforementioned approval form.
  4. Candidates should be aware that a successful application does not guarantee the award of the degree – candidates are required to successfully complete the examination process as set out in the Guide to Examinations for Higher Degrees by Research.

Period of Registration

  • The normal period of registration will be for 12 months.
  • Where the candidate is not a member of the staff of the University, submission for examination for the degree of PhD may be made after a minimum period of six months' registration.
  • Where the candidate is a member of the staff of the University, submission for examination for the degree of PhD may be made after a minimum period of three months' registration.
  • During the period of registration, students will additionally need to submit the Works to be assessed and a Covering Document of between 5,000 and 10,000 words setting out the relationship between the Works presented, the significance of the Works as a contribution to original knowledge within the relevant field, and, as an appendix, a full bibliography of all of the works ever published by the candidate.

Fees

  • The normal fee is an amount equivalent to one year’s full-time fee for the traditional PhD in the relevant academic year and department regardless of the date of submission of the work.
  • The fee for members of staff and for graduates of the University is charged at 20% of the home full-time postgraduate research fee.

Further information

Useful Links