Liverpool Hope University to Validate St Mary's University PhDs

St Mary’s University, Twickenham has signed an agreement with Liverpool Hope University, which will see it validate PhDs for students from September 2014. The agreement was signed this week at St Mary’s Strawberry Hill campus by Prof Gerald Pillay, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of Liverpool Hope University and Dr Arthur Naylor, St Mary’s University Vice-Chancellor. In addition, Prof Peter Lutzeier, Vice-Chancellor and Principal for Newman University signed an agreement and will also see Liverpool Hope validate its PhD students. Dr Arthur Naylor said, “We are very pleased with our new collaborative arrangements to award PhD degrees through Liverpool Hope University. Until now we have been validated for research degrees through the University of Surrey and we are grateful for their support over many years. The arrangement with Liverpool Hope involving ourselves and Newman University offers new opportunities for research collaboration as we prepare ourselves to apply for our own research degree awarding powers. St Mary's was granted taught degree awarding powers in 2006 and uses these for all undergraduate, taught postgraduate and Foundation degree awards.” Prof Gerald Pillay said, “The awarding of Hope degrees to students of both Newman University and St Mary's University reflects what we have in common as universities with a distinctive ethos and culture. We also look forward to a shared future of academic excellence.” Founded in 1850 as a Catholic teacher training college, St Mary’s has now grown to more than 5,000 students and was awarded full University title in January 2014. The University currently supports 50 PhD students in a range of subjects including Theology, Sport Sciences, English and Education. Liverpool Hope University is the only ecumenical university foundation in Europe. With a history going back 170 years, Liverpool Hope has developed a strong tradition of scholarship and research in key disciplines. Its work has been shaped by Christian principles and, like St Mary’s and Newman, it embraces those of all faiths and none.