Regulations for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy awarded with a partner institution (Joint or Double PhD) 2024-25

• termination of candidature is proposed as a result of a recommendation from a Progression Review;
• termination of candidature is proposed as a result of failure to undertake the expected responsibilities of a research student;
• termination of candidature is proposed due to lack of contact or failure to return from an approved pause in study period;
• termination of candidature is proposed as a result of failure to submit a thesis by the end of the maximum period of candidature.

8. Progression Monitoring and Review 

8.1 Arrangements for progression monitoring and review must be specified in the Memorandum of Agreement. It is the responsibility of each institution, through the supervisory team, to ensure that the research student’s progress is appropriately monitored and supported. In addition to regular supervisory meetings, a student in candidature for a Joint or Double PhD is required to undertake formal progression reviews at fixed points during the course of their candidature. Responsibility for the approval of progression review outcomes rests with both institutions. 

8.2 The progress of the research student may be reviewed at any time. If progress is unsatisfactory and if, after due warning, there is insufficient improvement, termination of candidature may be recommended. Such a recommendation must be approved by both institutions, following their normal procedures for termination of candidature. In exceptional circumstances, and if permitted by the conditions specified in the Memorandum of Agreement, provision may be made for the student to transfer their candidature to the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) at the University of Southampton or to an appropriate research degree at the partner institution. 

12. Thesis Submission

12.1 The thesis submission shall be made within the maximum length of candidature permitted for the degree, as defined in the Memorandum of Agreement, excluding periods when study is paused. 

12.2 The procedures for giving notice of intention to submit the thesis will be specified in the Memorandum of Agreement but the notice period may not include periods when study is paused.  Advice should be sought from the University of Southampton’s Doctoral College (Faculty) Team regarding the date by which the research student must give notice of intention to submit if the graduation ceremony is to be held at the University of Southampton. 

12.3 The standard length and format of the thesis will be specified in the Memorandum of Agreement, taking due regard of the requirements specified in the Regulations for Research Degrees (section 13: Submission of Thesis).  The student will be required to write their thesis in English unless approval for it to be written in a language other than English has been given by both institutions and is specified in the Individual Doctoral Agreement. 

12.4 Research work submitted as a thesis for a Joint or Double PhD should be openly available and subject neither to security classification nor to restriction on access.  The research student must comply with the provisions of the Regulations for Research Degrees (section 13: Submission of Thesis) regarding access to their thesis unless otherwise specified in the Memorandum of Agreement. 

13. Examination 

13.1 A single examination (viva voce) will be conducted simultaneously by the University of Southampton and the partner institution.  If the partner institution requires a public defence of the thesis this must be part of the examination process. 

13.2 The composition of the examining team will be specified in the Memorandum of Agreement and the following principles must be applied: 

13.3 No member of the supervisory team may be appointed as an examiner; nor may they take part in the judgement of the thesis under consideration in any other way. 

13.4 The examining team must consist of at least three examiners: an internal examiner from each of the partner institutions, and an external examiner who is independent of the University of Southampton and the partner institution. 

13.5 The examining team may include additional members should this be considered necessary. 

13.6 The viva voce must be chaired by an Independent Chair.  The Independent Chair should be an academic member of staff who is employed by either the University of Southampton or the partner institution, and who has substantial experience in supervising and examining research students.  The Independent Chair is not a member of the examining team and does not take any part in the judgement of the student.  As such, the Independent Chair is not provided with a copy of the student’s submission.  The role of the Independent Chair is to monitor good practice, and to ensure that the examination is conducted according to the arrangements as detailed in the Memorandum of Agreement; that the research student is treated fairly and appropriately; and that the outcome of the examination represents fairly the views of the examiners.  The Independent Chair is required to provide a written report which should be submitted to the Faculty Director of the Graduate School at the University of Southampton and to the equivalent role at the partner institution immediately following the examination. Should there be any reported concerns, the Faculty Director of the Graduate School at the University of Southampton and the equivalent role at the partner institution should take steps to engage the examiners in discussion with a view to satisfactorily resolving the matter.  A record of all discussions should be made and retained with the examination documentation.

13.7 The arrangements for the examination will be specified in the Memorandum of Agreement and in the Individual Doctoral Agreement. 

14. Outcomes of the Examination 

14.1 The outcomes of the examination for the University of Southampton’s degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) shall be as specified in the Regulations for Research Degrees (section 15: Outcomes of the Examination), unless otherwise specified in the Memorandum of Agreement.  In the case of a research student who has failed to satisfy the examiners, the student may be granted permission to submit a thesis for University of Southampton degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) where the availability of that award is specified in the Memorandum of Agreement.