Help! Here's a tough question...

A few years ago I studied for a PhD (at a UK university) but was only awarded an MPhil because of problems caused by the University. Please don't assume that the research was substandard or that the problems I faced were of my own making - I'm happy to explain what happened by private e-mail to anyone who is interested. I've felt cheated for several years now and want to complete my PhD, preferably gaining credit for the research I have already carried out.

Here's the problem...

Can anyone recommend an institution that will allow me to pursue my PhD, bearing in mind these constraints:

1. No residential requirement - I can't travel outside of the UK because of medical problems.
2. Short registration period - I can't afford to take a long time to study because I have to work!
3. Low cost - I have very little capital to spend on my studies.
4. Recognition - the degree must be recognised within the UK. I certainly don't want to end up with a qualification that can be challenged in terms of authenticity and credibility.

On another note, surely there must be plenty of people out there who are in the same situation, that is, "cheated" out of a PhD due to illness, administrative red tape, internal politics, etc.? If so, what can be done about this?

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds.

Paul

 

Hmmmm...

What sort of field are you interested in? I'll do some hunting around.


Peace,

------------------
Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

 

The only recognised UK school that seems to have a policy of at least considering doctorates based on prior work is Luton.

There are a lot of doctoral horror stories. A Canadian named Wilfred Cude was treated abominably by a major Canadian university: he was denied his Ph.D. because a small portion of his dissertation was published (in a prestigious journal) before his final orals, which violated the "no previously published work can be used" rule.

Cude's impressive 'revenge' was an excellent book called "The Ph.D. Trap," which documents a lot of the bad stuff going in, in Canada and elsewhere.

An update was announced for last October -- "The Ph.D. Trap Revisited" -- but I note on Amazon today that it is not yet available.

Another good inside look at the process is "Doctors Orals" by George Rippey Stewart.

 

Sorry, everyone.

I should have mentioned that my previous degrees (from UK universities) were in the areas of Information Systems and Educational Technology. All of my research has been based around Educational Technology.

I should also have mentioned that I'd be interested in the possibility of "trading in" my MPhil against a PhD. This is largely because of the comments made by my examiner, who suggested that the level and quantity of work I'd done was more than adequate for a PhD award.

Paul