The PhD Programme is based on completion of an independent piece of original research. The research will be carried out under the guidance of supervisors from both Universities, with additional support provided by members of an advisory committee.

Students will have at least one named supervisor from each University. A Lead Supervisor will be identified, which will determine the Lead University for the research student.

Research students will be registered directly for the Joint PhD award, without a preliminary period of registration for the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree. Normally, research students are expected to be based in the Lead University, i.e. either in London or in Nagasaki, and spend at least six months at the other university. The timing, and possible subdivision, of these periods of residence will be aligned to the needs of the individual research degree study. There will also be opportunities for research students to undertake research in resource-constrained settings around the world.

Qualifying Examination

A Qualifying Examination (QE) Panel will review the progress of each research student after 7-11 months of full-time registration. All QE requirements (including any resubmissions) must be completed by 18 months (maximum). The QE consists of a written report (max 7,500 words), an open seminar, and a closed meeting with an assessment panel. The QE provides students with feedback to improve the design of their research and identifies students who are struggling with progress and unlikely to complete a PhD successfully. Continuation in the Joint PhD programme will be allowed only if the QE Panel is satisfied that the research study and the research student’s progress are sufficiently advanced to indicate that the PhD standard will be reached within the permitted period of registration.

PhD Research Thesis

Students complete a written research thesis for the PhD degree which must be written in English with satisfactory literary presentation, and include a full reference list. The thesis should not exceed 100,000 words in length.

PhD duration

Research students will be registered at both universities in late September or early October, enabling them to access the resources of both universities, subject to the relevant regulations, policies and procedures at each university. 

The minimum and maximum periods of registration for the Joint PhD programme will be as set out below.  

Part-time is not offered in the Joint PhD Programme.