Residency for British Research Degrees

Their website states that the degree is non-residential, though I would get that in writing before starting the program.


Bruce

 

Yea, I know what you're saying Bruce. That's why I'm looking for personal feedback. I've gotten a lot of advice based on websites, but I would really like to hear from someone who has completed a research degree.

 

Sorry, I'm not that person. When you think about it, the liklihood of actually finding one of the few people who have earned a DL Masters in Philosophy is probably worse than finding the proverbial needle in the haystack. After all, you know the old joke..."What's more useless than a PhD in Philosophy?...A Masters in Philosophy!" The point is, these degrees are so useless, not many schools will offer them ('cause VERY few people want them). Tom Head could tell you about the HUX Philosophy program but that's not the "pure" philosophy that you're referring to. You're going to have to go the Australian/South African route if that's what you want. If you're stuck on the British route then I'd suggest you look at Birkbeck. They administer the Bachelors programs for the Univ. of London Philosophy degree and so they are accustomed to the general idea of DL. They offer their own Masters program but it's not 100% non-residential. If you've got the money and you can do 1-2 weeks per year in England then that might work for you. At a certain point you have to take into consideration the way in which you hope to use the degree. Your aspirations can often determine the best route. Good luck,
Jack

 

I have recently received a Ph.D. from the University of Wales (Aberystwyth) and can relate my own experience with residency requirements. First, I expect my experience was unique. I hold Masters degrees from two first-rate U.S. universities and had completed all Ph.D. course requirements some time ago. I also have extensive professional research experience, including a number of publications. In other words, I was a low risk, low maintenance prospect for the doctorate. I was fortunate to locate two faculty members who were interested in my thesis prospectus and who were willing to take a chance on my ability to conduct research independently.

I took nearly all of my maximum seven years to complete the degree. During that period I visited the campus six times for a week each trip. While on campus I presented my research to date to various faculty groups, taught a few classes, and spent considerable time with faculty one-on-one. I believe that there are no strict University rules on how such programs must be conducted. They are very much at the discretion of individual departments and of the individual faculty members. Each year your advisor must certify that you are making satisfactory progress. I know of one other American student who had a similar arrangement with my department and there might have been others.

There is considerable flexibility possible, but it varies greatly from student to student and from department to department. The most important thing, I believe, is to convince a faculty member that he/she will be taking on a problem free and productive investment in you as a student. Do your research beforehand and try to find a professor who shares your interests.

By the way, I had a wonderful experience with Aberystwyth. The University was very supportive and helpful (as opposed to U.S. universities I have experience with). The faculty was terrific in every way and I have made several real friendships there. In addition, sine receiving my degree last summer, I have written four articles based on my thesis and am having no difficulty in getting them accepted at first-rate academic journals. Finally, I owe this experience in large part to John Bear, who opened my eyes with regard to the diversity of academic offerings available in the world.

 

Congratulations Barry (or should I say Dr. 12). What was your overall cost & your degree emphasis?

North

 

It is interesting to see that it took you 7 years to finish a doctorate (I see it as a normal time frame for a part time doctorate) when some people come to this forum with the false illusion that they can finish a research based british doctorate in two or three years part time.

What is in your opinion a reasonable time frame for a part time British research doctorate?

 

Time frame for a part-time British doctorate

The vast majority of British universities have regulations that allow a maximum of 7 years to complete a doctorate by part-time study. The only way to extend this time period would be to submit the thesis for examination inthe seventh year with the expectationt hat the examiners will 'refer' the work for a further 6-12 months further work - assuming they don't fail the submission in its entirety!

Typically, the average student takes 5 years of part-time study. Indeed, the regulations of most British universities stipulate a minimum of 4 years of part-time study.

Students get bogged down with family/personal problems, issues to do with work, etc. In addition, in my experience, most students also get writer's block and just don;t know ehere to go with their writing, data analysis and so forth.
In my experience, the majority of UK academics welcome overseas candidates and treat them with a great deal of respect (a) because the candidates are mature men and women and (b) the UK faculty recognize the sacrifice made by the student in terms of time, money and commitment. Over the years I've supervised people from Singapore, the USA, Canada, France, Greece and Spain and in most cases you end up becoming friends over time.

As has been pointed out it is crucial to get the right supervisor and university department and the faculty commitment.

'telfax'

 

Thanks Telefax, you're the man I've been looking for. I've finally heard from someone with real-world experience.

Wales is looking like the ticket so far. I just recieved an e-mail from them stating that the philosophy department ignores the thirty-days-per-year residency requirement for foreign students in their MPhil research program. What impressed me was their reasoning that this would be a hardship on the student. This is more consideration than I have recieved from any of the U.S. schools I have researched and attended.

 

Forgot to mention that it was Wales-Lampeter I contacted.

 

Thanks Telefax, you're the man I've been looking for.

I've found that discussion forums can be a valuable resource, but so often the feedback one recieves is simply quoted from sources easily obtained. I was looking for someone with actual real world experience.

U. of Wales is looking like the ticket so far. This morning I recieved an e-mail from Lampeter stating that the philosophy department ignores the 30 days per year residency requirement for foreign students in their MPhil research program. What impressed me was that their reasoning for this is the cost and hardship to the student. This is already more consideration than I ever recieved from the U.S. schools I have researched and attended.

 

Hi. Many UK Universities that I contacted during my search for a suitable University for my PhD, required a minimum of 3 years study part-time before submitting a thesis. Add another year or so... you're looking at 4-5 years of part-time study. And the maximum was 6 years. (at least for my field, CS)

I have also noticed that after you're registered and actually working on your research with a professor, the faculty bends many rules in your favour. ie. I am not required to do as much travel as I'd originally thought/was told, which is a good thing.

Regards,
J.

 

Lucky telfax!

These online dating boards are such fun...

 

That was real clever Birdpecker.

 

To answer some of the questions posed earlier:

(1) My degree is from the Department of International Politics.

(2) The cost was minimal. First, part-time foreign students pay the same tuition as part-time UK students, unlike full-time foreign students, who are subjected to a large fee differential. Secondly, the University prescribed only a three year minimum period of study. This minimum requirement essentially fixes your tuition -- additional years are tuition-free. I don't know why they only required three years in my case; I heard that four or five years was normal. At any rate, I paid a little over a thousand dollars a year for the first three years. Total cost was around $3,500 in tuition plus travel. This is an unbelievable bargain.

(3) It is not unusual for a part-time student to take seven years to earn a degree. I might have been done sooner, but had a serious illness halfway through and took a six-month leave of absence (which was tacked on to the end of the seven year period). Don't forget that a lot of time is taken up by chapter-by-chapter faculty reviews and at the end by the scheduling of the vivas, etc. It's not always the student who is on the clock. I think very few make it through in less than five years.