Global Utilities

Higher Degrees by Research - information for students

Professional Doctorates

  • Two thirds of the degree is research.
  • Award of the degree depends on the examination of your completed thesis.
  • Your thesis may not exceed 75,000 words (footnotes and bibliography are not counted. Ask your supervisor about the typical word count for your discipline and field of research).
  • It must be based on your work carried out during your enrolment for the degree. 
  • It will make an original and substantial contribution to knowledge in your field of study.
  • It must include a critical appraisal of relevant literature and available research, a description of the relationship of your research to the wider field of knowledge in which it is located, and it will draw out your contribution to knowledge made with your research.
  • Your thesis must also demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the methodological techniques you use, and their shortcomings.
  • Lastly it must be written in a manner appropriate to your discipline and profession.

The designated maximum period of study for a full-time PhD is four years or equivalent part-time. It is possible to extend your study by up to twelve months where your work has been delayed due to circumstances related to your study and beyond the your control (see Extensions on the Variations page). Note that APA, LTUPRS and other scholarships administered by LTU are provided for three years full-time (see the LTU Scholarships web page or the Scholarships section of this site).

These pages are intended for enrolled HDR students but details of each professional doctorate, including eligibility to apply to enrol, can be found in the Handbook and with the following links to the Course Finder. You may get a idfferent list by clicking Show next year's courses or Show mid year entry courses on these pages.

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Content Approved by: Director, Research Services
Page maintained by: Research Office Web Administrator
Last Updated: 19 December, 2011