Updated Research Degrees Framework 2025/26

The 2025/26 Research Degrees Framework has been added to the policy centre following approval by the Academic Board.     

The Research Degrees Framework consists of:

• Research degrees regulations
• Policy and guidance for the supervision of research degrees
• Policy and guidance for attendance, engagement and change of circumstances for postgraduate researchers
• Policy and guidance for reviewing the progress of postgraduate research students
• Policy and guidance for the presentation and deposit of research theses
• Policy and guidance for the examination of research degrees
• Policy and guidance for dual PhD awards
• Policy and guidance for PhD by published work
• Policy on leave of absence for funded postgraduate research students

The regulations, policies and guidance are also on the Doctoral Academy webpages.

A summary of the changes to the framework for this academic year is available at the Research Degrees Regulations webpage. A key change has been to the length of time for an examination outcome of award degree subject to amendments which is now within a period of up to six months (this was previously three).

Details of training for supervisors and internal examiners is available on the Doctoral Academy website.  If you have any queries, please email the Doctoral Academy at DoctoralAcademy@ljmu.ac.uk