PhD Journey Explained

You should complete your research degree within the time scales outlined below. By complete, we mean that you submit your thesis for examination, have your viva and complete any post viva activity such as amendments.

PhD / Full Time – 4 years

3 years + completion year

Earliest thesis submission - 33 months after your start date

PhD / Part Time – 7 years

6 years + completion year

Earliest thesis submission - 48 months after your start date

MPhil / Full Time – 2 years

1 year + completion year

Earliest thesis submission - 12 months after your start date

MPhil / Part Time – If you started before 1 August 2023 - 4 years

3 years + completion year

Earliest thesis submission - 24 months after your start date

MPhil / Part Time – If you started after 1 August 2023 - 3 years

2 years + completion year

Earliest thesis submission - 24 months after your start date

Please note that if you are a funded PGR, your funded period may be different to the programme duration. Your offer letter should detail the length of time you will be funded.

If you started your research degree after the 1 August 2022, please note that you will be required to pay the full award amount detailed in your offer letter even if you submit your final thesis for examination early.

Tuition fees

Your tuition fee will be detailed in the offer letter that you received when you were admitted onto your research degree. This is a set fee and will not increase while you are on the programme of study that you were admitted onto.

Thesis pending fee

A thesis pending fee will apply if you started your research degree before the 1 August 2022 when you move into your completion year (see section Research Degree Programme Duration for details of when this will be). The thesis pending fee will be detailed in your offer letter. This is a flat annual fee and will not be applied on a pro rata basis.

The thesis pending fee will be charged for each subsequent academic year when you complete re-enrolment until you submit your thesis for examination.

There is a four week grace period in which the fee will be waived if you submit your thesis for examination within 4 weeks of the date of re-enrolment. For example, if you have a re-enrolment date of the 1 October, the fee will be waived if you submit your thesis by the 28 October.

Re-registration fee

If you started your research degree after the 1 August 2022, you will not be charged a fee when you go into your completion year (see section Research Degree Programme Duration for details of when this will be). If you do not submit your thesis for examination by the end of your completion year, you will need to extend your registration and pay a re-registration fee. The re-registration fee amount will be detailed in your offer letter. This is a flat annual rate and will not be applied on a pro rata basis.

There is a four week grace period in which the fee will be waived if you submit your thesis for examination within four-weeks of the date of re-enrolment. For example, if you have a re-enrolment date of the 1 October, the fee will be waived if you submit your thesis by the 28 October.

Re-examination fee

If the outcome of your final viva voce examination is one of re-examination, you will be charged a re-examination fee of £500 at the point when you next need to re-enrol.

The university tuition fee policy outlines possible sanctions for non payment of fees and arrangements for refunds where applicable.

Re-registration is mandatory for all students and is part of the conditions of  enrolment that you agree to when you register to be a student of the university. You will need to complete initial registration before you can begin your research degree and you must remain a registered student of the university up until the point that you complete your award. You will be sent a request from Registry Services on the anniversary of your start to re-register which you must complete annually. Failure to re-register may lead to loss of IT access, have potential funding implications and may lead to you being withdrawn from your research degree.

Even if you have submitted your thesis for final examination and/or have had your viva you must still complete re-registration (no fee is charged if you have submitted your thesis for examination). Your award cannot be processed unless you are a fully registered student of the university.

We expect you to engage with your research degree programme as follows:

• Full-time: A minimum of 35 hours per week over 45 weeks of the year.
• Part-time: A minimum of 17.5 hours per week over 45 weeks of the year.

We recognise the additional responsibilities and challenges that are likely to be faced by postgraduate research students. Where the need arises, reasonable adjustments to the minimum number of hours should be discussed and agreed with supervisory teams ahead of time.

Supervisory meetings

Meetings between supervisors and PGRs may vary according to discipline and the local research culture but as a minimum you should meet with your supervisors ten times per year if you are full time or five times per year if you are part time. It is a joint responsibility of supervisors and PGRs to make sure that these meetings happen. After each meeting, you will need to make a record of this on eDoc. Checks will be made to make sure that you are recording your meetings with your supervisors so we recommend that you get into the habit of recording these on eDoc as soon as they have taken place.

Throughout your research degree, you can expect to receive regular reviews to make sure that your progress is satisfactory, appropriate support is in place, and that concerns are addressed in a timely fashion.

Your eDoc project page has details of the dates by which you need to complete your milestones which are available on the Project Dates tab. These dates are calculated specifically for you depending on your start date and you will receive a reminder from eDoc when a milestone is coming up.

The links below provide further information about each milestone, who needs to complete them and when and further details are also available in the policy and guidance for reviewing the progress of postgraduate research students.

Programme Approval

Applies to: PhD and MPhil.

Completion Deadline: 3 months from enrolment for full time or 6 months for part time

Following registration you will undergo an initial review to gain programme approval for your research project. Your application for programme approval will be considered by your Faculty Research Degrees Committee and will involve peer review outside of your supervisory team.

As part of your application for programme approval, you will be asked to provide:

• A summary of the research, the aims and key objectives or questions
• An explanation of how your project contributes (or challenges) existing work in the field
• A brief outline of your proposed plan of work
• Details of specific facilities, equipment of funding required for your research project
• Details about ethical approval
• Confirmation that you have completed mandatory requirements outlined below

The following are mandatory requirements for programme approval and you will not be able to proceed with the submission without providing evidence of the following:

• Attendance at a faculty induction. Note that this is separate to the welcome event hosted by the Doctoral Academy.
• Completion of the Research Ethics online training module on Canvas. A certificate to evidence completion of the module will need to be uploaded to eDoc.
• The submission of a training plan on eDoc.

Confirmation of Registration

Applies to: PhD

Completion Deadline: 12 months from enrolment for full time or 24 months for part time

The purpose of the Confirmation of Registration is to confirm that you are demonstrating the potential to successfully complete the award of PhD. It involves two main stages:

1. Submission of evidence to demonstrate that your work has PhD potential. This should include:

• A submission document which is normally a draft of work which will ultimately contribute to the final thesis. The content and length of the submission should reflect the normal expectations for your area of research. More specific details of what your submission should contain are detailed in your Faculty PGR Handbook.
• A summary report (typically no more than 1 side of A4) critically reflecting your progress to date, and plans from now to completion.
• A research training report (typically no more than 1 side of A4) critically reflecting on research training undertaken and an updated Training Needs Analysis from now to completion.

2. An oral assessment where you will be expected to ‘defend’ your submission and plans for the project moving forward.

A Review Panel will be nominated by your lead supervisor which will need to be approved by your Faculty Research Degrees Committee. The panel must consist of your Lead Supervisor, at least 1 Co-Supervisor and an Independent Assessor.

The Independent Assessor is normally responsible for making the practical arrangements and for completing the appropriate documentation in eDoc such as confirmation of the date, time and location of the oral assessment. If there are particular arrangements or adjustments that you would like to be considered for your oral assessment you should let the Doctoral Academy know as soon as possible.

Prior to the oral assessment, the Review Panel must prepare and submit preliminary reports based on their assessment of the submission. Reports are circulated between Assessors in advance.

Following the oral assessment, the Review Panel shall jointly complete a final joint report and recommendation to be considered by Research Degrees Board.

Annual Progress Review

Applies to: PhD and MPhil.

Completion Deadline: 1 month before your annual re-enrolment is due until you submit your thesis for examination. If you are completing Confirmation of Registration, you will not be expected to complete Annual Progress Review that year.

You will need to re-register onto your research degree each year of study on the anniversary of your start date. In the lead up to your annual re-registration you will be expected to undergo a formal review of your progress conducted by your supervisory team. This review will determine your eligibility to continue with your studies. As part of this review, you will need to provide:

• A reflection on your progress to date
• A summary of your key objectives for the next 12 months
• A reflection on training you have undertaken and training plan for the year ahead

Your Faculty Handbooks will also have details about other specific information that you may be required to provide as part of this review, so please make sure that you are familiar with your Faculty Handbook.

Submission Planning

Applies to: PhD/PhD by Published Work and MPhil.

In preparation for your thesis submission for examination, you must complete Submission Planning where you submit your ‘final’ draft thesis for review by your supervisory team. This is a formal requirement and a PGR cannot proceed to submission for examination until this process has been completed. You should allow a month for your supervisors to review and provide feedback on the draft thesis on its readiness for examination. The opinion of the supervisory team is advisory and is not a guarantee of the final outcome of the examination. Irrespective of the supervisor's opinion, following completion of the Submission Planning process the decision to submit rests with you.

The examination of a Research Degree normally involves two stages: first, the submission and preliminary assessment of the thesis; and second, the defence of the thesis by the PGR at a viva voce examination. In the final year of your research degree, you will normally submit and defend your thesis. The entire examination process can take several months, and we advise that you plan your time appropriately and attend the Preparing for Assessment and the 7 reasons you'll pass your viva workshops provided throughout the year – details are available on the Events section on eDoc. Further details about the university policy and processes for the examination of research degrees are available in the policy and guidance for the examination of research degrees which we would recommend that you familiarise yourself with.

Below is a summary of the different stages involved in the final thesis submission and viva voce. Guidance on how to complete the various stages in eDoc is available online guides webpage.

Intention to Submit and Thesis Submission

Once you have completed submission planning you will be able to complete an intention to submit form on eDoc. This is a notification to the Doctoral Academy and to your supervisors of the date that you are intending to submit your final thesis.

The thesis must be submitted electronically in a single PDF document via eDoc. If requested by examiners, hard copies will be made available by the Doctoral Academy.

Under no circumstances should you or your supervisors supply the examiners with the copies of the thesis.

Appointment of the Examination Panel

Your Lead Supervisor will be responsible for recommending your examiners for approval at Research Degrees Board. We would strongly encourage you to discuss with your supervisors who your examination panel could be in plenty of time ahead of this step. An Independent Chair can also be appointed to attend the viva voce.

Details about how many examiners you can expect to have, the criteria for their appointment and the process for their appointment and that of independent chairs are available in our policy and guidance for the examination of research degrees.

The Viva Voce

The practical arrangements of your viva should be confirmed by your Lead Supervisor. You will receive a notification via eDoc of the date, time and location. Please make the Doctoral Academy aware if any reasonable adjustments need to be taken into consideration when making the arrangements for the viva as soon as possible so that we can discuss and agree these well ahead of the viva.

The viva voce can take place in person, online or a hybrid of the two. See our guidance for an online viva.

Ahead of your viva voce, your examiners will be asked to submit preliminary reports on your thesis. These reports will not be shared with you or your supervisors and will remain confidential between the examination panel and Doctoral Academy.

You will receive the provisional recommendation verbally from your examiners on the day of your viva. They will be asked to submit an outcome report with their recommendation to be approved by Research Degrees Board. Once the recommendation has been approved, you will receive confirmation of this via eDoc.

Please refer to the policy and guidance for the examination of research degrees for details about the recommendations that your examiners can make.

We recognise that you may need to make changes along the way and you can request these if you need to. These should always be discussed with your supervisors as soon as possible and before submitting an application. Further details are available in the Policy and Guidance for Attendance, Engagement and Change of Circumstances for PGRs.

The following requests can be submitted via 'Request a Change' on eDoc:

• Change in your mode of study from full time to part time, and vice versa
• Transfer to your research degree from PhD to MPhil and vice versa
• Request a Leave of Absence
• Return to study
• Withdraw from the research degree
• Request an extension to your registration

PGRs on a student visa are responsible for ensuring that any change or leave of absence is permissible under the terms of their visa and must consult with International Student Support.

PGRs who are funded are responsible for ensuring that any change or leave of absence is permissible under the funder's  

Change in Mode of Study

You may request a change to your mode of study, either from full time to part time, or part time to full time.  Changes in mode of study will not be approved once you have moved into the completion year. It is your responsibility to ensure that any funding implications have been considered and necessary changes have been approved by the funder. Any changes will require support from your supervisory team and Faculty Research Degrees Committee. Once a request has been approved at faculty level, it will then need to be considered and processed by Registry Services and the Doctoral Academy. Changes to mode of study can only be applied within your current year of study and cannot be retrospectively applied.

Transfer between PhD and MPhil

You will be registered onto the target award that you were admitted to.

You may request to change from MPhil to PhD and vice versa. This will need support from your supervisory team and Faculty Research Degrees Committee. Once a request has been approved at faculty level, it will then need to be considered and processed by Registry Services and the Doctoral Academy. Changes to a programme of study can only be applied within the current year of study and cannot be retrospectively applied.

It is your responsibility to ensure that any funding implications have been considered and necessary changes have been approved by the funder.  The university Money Advice team can provide support if you are intending to use Student Loan Company funding. You must have agreement from the funder before the request is made. 

For PGRs studying on a student visa, UKVI requirements may mean that PGRs need to return to the home country to apply for a new visa.  It is the responsibility of the PGR to ensure that potential visa implications have been consideration prior to making an application to change a programme of study and it is strongly recommended that PGRs on a student visa consult with International Advice before making an application to change their programme of study.  

Absence from Study

There are two different ways in which you can request an approved absence from your study.

1. Short Term Absence – Less than 30 days in duration

   A short-term absence does not pause the registration or extend the thesis submission date. It should be used for instances such as short-term illness, holiday and annual leave, field work or study away from the university, bereavement and caring responsibilities or other personal reasons.  You can request this via the Recording Short Term Absence tab on your eDoc main project page. It will need to be agreed by your lead supervisor. If you are a PGR on a student visa, please make sure that you discuss and clear this with the International Office before you request the short-term absence as there may be implications for your visa.

2. Leave of Absence – Between 30 days and 24 months

If you need to take a longer break you can apply for an official and temporary period away from your research degree. A leave of absence should be used for instances such as maternity, parental or adoption leave, longer term sickness, where necessary for employment needs or when significant personal or financial problems arise and should be supported by evidence, such as documents from a health provider.  A leave of absence pauses the registration and extends the thesis submission date.  You will need to request this via the ‘Request a Change’ button on your eDoc main project page. Please note that approval is not guaranteed and, for example, may be subject to the approval of external bodies such as the research council (or other sponsor/funding body) concerned.

The overall time limit throughout the duration of your research degree that you can request to take a leave of absence will normally be a maximum of two years. The two-year time limit applies to both full and part time PGRs. In exceptional circumstances such as for medical reasons, applications for additional time for a leave of absence will be considered on a case-by-case basis and need to be accompanied by evidence such as medical certificates. Instances of maternity, paternity, parental or adoption leave are removed from the cap.

A leave of absence will not normally be considered in your first month of enrolment and retrospective requests for a leave of absence will not normally be approved unless in exceptional circumstances such as if you have been seriously ill.

Whilst on leave of absence, you may not participate in any research-related activities although your will still be able to access support services offered by Student Advice and Wellbeing and may use other university facilities including IT facilities.

If you are on a leave of absence, you will be contacted by Registry Services one month before you are due to resume studies with details about what you need to do to return to study. There may be additional requirements that will need to be met prior to your return, for example, payment of outstanding fees accrued prior to the leave of absence.

If you are unable to return to study after a leave of absence, you must apply for a further leave of absence before the first period ends (within the maximum limit).

You will need to complete a Return to Study form on eDoc. It is important that you advise the university if you do not intend to return to study on the date that was approved as part of your request. Failure to return from an agreed Leave of Absence period can result in your registration being terminated if we do not hear from you.

You must meet with your supervisors as soon as possible after a return from a leave of absence and normally no later than two weeks from the date of return. Details of areas for discussion at the meeting are available in the Policy and guidance for Attendance, Engagement and Change of Circumstances.

Find out more information about funding entitlements if you are a funded PGR.

Extensions to Registration

If you think you will need to extend your registration to allow you more time to complete and submit your thesis, you should discuss this with your supervisors and agree a realistic revised submission date. You will need to put the request through via the ‘Request a Change’ tab on your main eDoc project page. You will be asked to provide the new expected submission date and to provide details of why you need to request the extension. This will need to be agreed by your supervisors and your faculty research degree committee before it goes for university level approval to Research Degrees Board. If your extension takes you past another re-enrolment date, you will be charged a further thesis pending/re-registration fee (this will be outlined in your offer letter).

Extensions will normally be granted for a maximum period of two years for full time PGRs and four years for part time.  Instances of maternity, paternity or adoption leave are not included in this cap. Exceptional extensions will be considered only in certain circumstances (for example medical reasons) on a case-by-case basis and must be accompanied by supporting evidence.

PGRs who request to re-register should evidence the following:

• Formal progression reviews being completed satisfactorily.
• Regular meetings with supervisors.

Upon successful completion of a research degree, PGRs are expected to upload the final approved copy thesis online to the LJMU E-Theses Collection - LJMU E-Theses Collection. Details of what you need to do to complete this step will be sent out to you once you have completed your research degree and are also available in the policy and guidance for the presentation and deposit of research theses.

Graduation

There are set dates by which your research degree will need to be fully completed in order for you to be able to attend graduation. By fully completed we mean:

• Amendments submitted via eDoc
• Your final thesis signed off by the named examiner(s) on the outcome report
• The degree is approved by Research Degrees Board and you have received notification of completion 

The deadlines for completion of your award to be eligible to attend a 2026 ceremony are:

• To graduate at the Spring 2026 graduation ceremonies, your award needs to be approved by Research Degrees Board by Thursday 22 January 2026 (meeting is at 9am).
• To graduate at the Summer 2026 graduation ceremonies, your award needs to be approved by Research Degrees Board by Thursday 4 June 2026 (meeting is at 9am).

Please note that preparations for graduation begin months in advance of the ceremony.  That means that PGRs who are potentially eligible to graduate are invited to register for a ceremony, even before the completion of the research degree is finalised. Even if you receive an invitation to register for a ceremony, the requirements and deadlines outlined above must still be met for you to be eligible to attend.  

For information relating to graduation including terms and conditions please visit the graduation webpages.

The Doctoral Academy does not manage your IT account. Please visit the Account expiration webpage for details about the closing of your IT account.

Please copy your work and emails

You are advised to take copies of any important work from your LJMU IT account. Access to your account will not be granted once the account closes and further access is not permitted by LJMU.

Degree certificates are produced by Registry Services . Further information is available on the Registry Services awards webpage.