Developments in the Doctoral Examination in the UK

Stan Taylor

Honorary Professor, School of Education, University of Durham and Honorary Life Member of the UKCGE

A study of the doctoral examination policies of 127 UK Higher Education Institutions

At the start of the 21st century, there was a flurry of interest in the examination of the doctorate in the UK. Studies from that time suggested that there was a high degree of variability in policies and procedures for doctoral examinations between institutions. The present paper explores how far, nearly two decades on, variations still persist.

19% 
had an explicit requirement for candidates to be consulted about examiners 
26% 
of policies did not mention prior examination experience 
67 
out of 107 HEIs required an independent chair