Residency for British Research Degrees

Hi,

I have read in more than a few places that graduate research degrees (M.Phil & D.Phil/Ph.D) can be earned at British universities with little or no residency. When I've researched their websites, however, that doesn't seem to be the case.

Is this just a D.L. legend?

If anyone out there has earned or is working on a research degree I'd like to here about your experiences.

Thanks

 

I have had a difficult time trying to find a reputable U.K. university that offers research degrees by DL.
South Africa and Australia's universities do have a number of DL research degree programs.

 

It seems that such arrangements are made on a case by case basis. If you're interested in doing a research degree, try contacting the department heads of the schools you're interested in, and ask about the possibility. The most they can do is say no.


Bruce

 

Plumbdog,

What is your field? I only know of British Universities that will do non-resident or limited residency doctoral program in the field of theology/biblical studies. If applicable, an invaluable resource is www.gospelcom.net/bakersguide. Jason D. Baker and Cory Seibel have done thorough research in this area.

 

Residency of Research degrees

Thanks for the imput.

My field is philosophy.

 

Plumdog,

try looking on the U. of wales, Lampeter's philosophy website. I think they do non-resident Phd's in philos. they certainly do thier share of online MA degrees in phil!

Chris

 

Leicester offers degrees that meet your criteria.

 

While I was searching for a UK University for my PhD, I found most, if not all offered research based programs. They do not consider it to be DL, but research can be done offsite (extramural). Most of these UK Universities did require me to pay at least one visit per year to the department.

Regards,
J.

 

"External" Research Degree

For the UK, OZ, and SA the applicable term is "external", check for the availability of doing an external research degree.

 

If you really cannot find a list of British universities that offer research doctoral degree programs then let me know, I can easily provide you with one. However, I believe that what you meant to say is that you cannot find a reputable British university that offers research degrees that are 100% non-residential. Many DL programs, especially doctoral programs, have residency requirements. You will have an extremely difficult time finding a reputable British university that will tell you up front that you can get your PhD from them without ever, not even once, showing up on their campus. Please don't assume that "DL" is synonymous with "100% non-residential," because it's not.
Jack

 

Part-time!

The majority (if not all) of British universities refer to doctoral study as being full-time or part-time, at least for the PhD. Don't go looking for DL doctoral studies! In fact, Leicester's new totally DL Doctor of Social Research (Centre for Labour Market Studies) is probably the only British doctorate that can be done totally DL! Glasgow's DBA can be done totally DL but you do have to attend for the viva voce (oral defence) examination in Scotland. My guess is that may be dropped in due course. Probably unlike all other degree levels, part of the learning in doing a doctorate is being with peers and experts in your field. This is where the on-campus/short-residency aspect comes into its own. The inter-action between fellow scholars simply cannot be achieved solely via DL materials, video-links or by email or chat rooms. Even if the short-residency doesn't actually take place on campus the getting together of like-minded participants/researchers/faculty, even if only at an hotel for a long weekend every 3 months or so, pays dividends in my experience.

'telfax'

 

Re: Part-time!

I read where Leicester's DSS degree required a dissertation defense on campus.

 

Rich is right in one sense...but!

Rich, you are right in one sense re the viva having to be in the UK! However, there isa very carefull worded clause in the brochure that states:

Assessment of the thesis will be conducted in line with the University's code of practice for Research degrees. The oral examination will take place at the University of Leicester except in unusual circumstances.

There we have the 'get out clause'!

What is interesting is that the Centre for Labour Market Studies is claiming DETC US accreditation which I thought it had decided not to renew!

The fee for this new doctorate is £10,500 in 3 staged payments and after 42 months if you've not finished you pay £1,000 per year for a maximum of 3 years. At the present exchange rate (1.6) that's around US$17,000 for the three years. Students outside the Uk have to also pay £200 (approx US$320) per year pistal costs for the sending out of satudy modules by DHL courier.

All fees have to be paid in £ sterling.

'telfax'

 

Jack,
All DL doctoral programs require residency. Obviously one is expected to spend a couple of weeks on campus, meet with the supervisory committee, attends seminars, etc. In total, a candidate would probably have to spend about one or two months on campus during an entire DL program (over five years). I agree with your view that no reputable DL university will offer a 100% non-residence program. However, those programs that require candidates spend a considerable amount of time on campus (one week every month, every week-end or an entire year) would not fit into the DL category.
regards,

 

Northcentral University seems reputable. It is a candidate for regional accreditation, and appears on the cusp of being accredited. Its doctoral programs do not require residency.

Charles Sturt University seems reputable; it offers its Doctor of Business Administration without residency.

The Technikon of Southern Africa seems reputable. It offers several DTech programs without residency requirements.

Touro University International seems reputable. It is regionally accredited and offers its doctoral programs without residency requirements.

 

Your profile doesn't state where you're living and so it's a bit difficult to know how relevant my experience is to your experience. What I mean is that there is a WHOLE LOT of difference between "little" residency and "no" residency requirements if you have to take two weeks off from work and buy a plane ticket to England and then pay for a hotel room for two weeks. How many times per year could you afford to do that and still pay your tuition and still pay your bills at home? I mean, I know you're a plumber and so occupy one of the upper income levels in the USA, but maybe you're living in Latvia and plumbers don't do so well there
Regardless, my point is that there's a big difference between "little" and "no" residency requirements. If you can afford to fly to England a couple of times per year then you can afford to go to Union (or CIIS or one of the other US schools where you can morph their program into a Philosophy PhD). You will NOT find a British school that will tell you up front that you will "NEVER" have to visit their campus. If you spend a minute thinking about what you'd be asking of them then you'll understand why. BTW, it's not much different in Australia. Good luck in your search,
Jack

 

Thanks again,

I live in the Los Angeles area. I am a plumbing and piping superintendent on new commercial buildings. This allows me to be less concerned with cost, and more concerned with travel. Once a project begins I can only be away for about one week a year.

What I'm really looking for is a "pure" philosophy MA. By "pure" I mean a program that is not interdisiplinary with a philosophy element. My area of interest is methodology and philosophy of science, which doesn't seem to fit into the U.S. programs I've researched.

I'll check into Leicester.


Thanks again.

 

I don't think you'll find a US RA school that offers a Master's in Philosophy without some sort of residency. If a non-US school is acceptable, there are two I can think of offhand that might fit your needs;

1) University of South Africa

2) University of Wales-Lampeter

If you can swing some residency (a week at a time), there are three US RA schools where you can design your own M.A. program;

1) Vermont College of The Union Institute & University

2) Goddard College

3) Antioch University


Bruce

 

John Bear's wife, Marina, completed the CSUDH-HUX MA in Humanities, where she focused on Philosophy. That degree was quite useful in her pursuit of a Ph.D in Philosophy. Accepted at Harvard, she chose Vanderbilt (and graduated).

Inexpensive, of good quality, and non-residential, IIRC.

 

A few more questions:

1) Is it true Bear's wife was accepted to Harvard's philosophy doctorate program based on a HUX degree?

2) Has anyone actually done a MA at Wales, and what was the residency requirement?




Thanks again.