Developments in the Doctoral Examination in the UK
A study of the doctoral examination policies of 127 UK Higher Education Institutions
Published 2022
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
