School of Society and Culture

PhD on the Basis of Prior Published Works in English

Programme code 7599
Duration

0-1 year OR 1 year maximum
Course type

Part-time
Study location Plymouth
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Take the opportunity to pursue an individual research project of your choosing, with expert guidance and personal supervision from a member of our English team. Our academics have an established tradition of internationally recognised research excellence. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, English and Creative Writing at Plymouth was first in the South West for its 4/3* star research outputs and impact signifying 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' work.

This degree programme enables eligible candidates who have not previously been able to register for a higher degree but have been research active and publishing – or making research available – in the public domain, to submit a collection of works for consideration for the award of a PhD.

Course details

  • Year 1

    • Prior to acceptance onto the programme, an applicant will be asked to produce a report providing an overview of the publications/contributions they have made (hereafter referred to as the prima facie case). This will be independently reviewed to ensure the applicant broadly has an appropriate background and experience for acceptance onto the programme.
    • Once accepted onto the programme, the programme is part-time with a maximum duration of 12 months. Candidates will work towards producing a research portfolio that will evidence they have:
      • personally made a systematic study
      • shown independent, critical and original powers; and
      • made a distinct contribution to knowledge.
    • In addition to the research outputs, the research portfolio must also include an integrative summary written by the candidate of between 7500-15000 words. The purpose of the integrative summary is to provide a critical overview and synthesis of the research outputs submitted and their contribution to the discipline. The submission as a whole must be framed as a single coherent research project.
    • In preparing the research portfolio, the candidate will be advised and assisted by a Director of Studies (DoS) who is experienced in the subject area, and who has successfully supervised at least two doctoral level degrees to completion.
    • For full details on what the programme entails, please read the section 'AWD2 PhD on the Basis of Prior Published Works' in section E of the University of Plymouth Academic Regulations.

Entry requirements
Applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. However, the programme is only open to experienced professionals with a proven track record in innovation within the domain. For full details on application process and what the programme entails, please read the section ‘AWD2 PhD on the Basis of Prior Published Works’ in Section E of the University of Plymouth Academic Regulations .

Fees, costs and funding
Please visit tuition fees for postgraduate research for information about fees.

How to apply

Apply online

The application process comprises two phases:
  • Phase 1: Expression of Interest (no fee)
  • Phase 2: Full prima facie application (fee payable)
Phase 1: Expression of Interest
Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest to the University’s Doctoral College Admissions Team - research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk - comprising:
  • an abstract of their research (of no more than 300 words)
  • a list of the works on which the submission is likely to be based, and
  • a curriculum vitae (no longer than 5 pages)
There is no fee attached to this phase of application.
The Doctoral College will, having consulted with relevant Faculties, send the application for consideration by the appropriate School within the University.
The purpose of this stage is to enable the University to determine whether resources and expertise are available to support the applicant to completion of the degree within this area of study.
Phase 2: Full prima facie application
If, under Phase 1 (above), a Faculty confirms that it has the resources and expertise to support the research content to completion, candidates must submit a full application within three months of the Phase 1 outcome. The purpose of Phase 2 is to satisfy the University that a prima facie case can be made for candidature.
An application ‘reading fee’ is payable for this phase. Details of application and tuition fees for postgraduate research students are linked from our fees and costs of studying page.
The Faculty Doctoral Committee will determine whether a prima facie case exists and if accepted then the applicant will be permitted to enrol for the degree and to prepare their submission for examination.
The successful candidate will be assigned a supervisory team and have a maximum of 12 months from the time of approval of the prima facie case to prepare their final submission for examination.
For full details on how to apply and what the programme entails, please read the section ‘AWD2 PhD on the Basis of Prior Published Works’ in the University of Plymouth Academic Regulations . When you are ready to make an application, please complete an expression of interest template and return it to research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
Our community
Draw on staff expertise in fields ranging from Restoration literature to contemporary utopias, from early European encounters with native Americans to the relationship between poetry and the environment.
Recent and current English PhD projects include studies of phenomenology in Virginia Woolf’s writing; of trauma in Holocaust studies; of William Blake’s construction of a spiritual self; and of eco-trauma in contemporary fiction.
As a PhD student at Plymouth you will become part of a community that is supported by multiple research seminar series, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and outward-facing engagements. These range from the arts and culture programme's lecture series to our work with community organisations and cultural institutions such as The Box: Plymouth's award-winning museum, art gallery and archive situated just across the road from the campus.
We particularly welcome doctoral research in the following areas:
  • Early Modern literature
  • Transatlantic literature and culture
  • Literature and culture of the ‘long’ 18th century
  • Climate Emergency literature and 'eco-criticism'
  • Creative non-fiction.
  • Genre studies (e.g. science fiction, crime, horror, the historical novel)
  • Modern and contemporary literature and culture

Academic staff

Books
English and creative writing research

We are part of a thriving community of researchers covering arts and humanities disciplines, supported by the University's arts and culture programme.
Coastal Processes Research Group Perranporth beach
Funding for postgraduate research students

Find out more about the funding options available to you as a postgraduate research student.
Postgraduate research students listening to a talk
Doctoral College

Supporting excellence and employability across all stages of the researcher journey.