A PhD by published works is a research degree awarded to individuals who have already produced a significant body of published work that meets the standards of a traditional PhD. It allows researchers with extensive publication records to gain formal recognition for their research contributions without undertaking a standard, multi-year doctoral programme.
Entry requirements
Applicants will provide a list of the publications on which the application is based (at least five publications as sole or senior author). The range of publications must demonstrate that their work forms a coherent and significant contribution to knowledge or scholarship and should be of an acceptable national or, preferably, international standing. The work submitted must, in aggregate, be broadly comparable in quality and quantity to that expected to be embodied in a PhD thesis in the same discipline. The publications on which the application is based must have been accepted for publication or be published.
As with other PhD programmes, international applicants must be able to demonstrate a high level of competence in written and spoken English with an IELTs score of 6.5 overall and not less than 6.0 in any section.
Where the University is able to provide appropriate supervision the application will be independently reviewed, and the Research Degrees Committee may approve the applicant for candidature. However, it must be clearly understood that the Committee is neither qualified nor empowered to predict the outcome of the examination process: this judgement can only be made by the examiners.
If your application is accepted
Upon approval of candidature for the degree, you will be allocated a supervisory team. You will be required to submit for examination within twelve months of confirmation of candidature a portfolio of works accompanied by an analytical commentary of between 10,000 and 15,000 words that explains the unifying themes that run through the research, and places the works in the context of existing work in the field and your research career.
How to apply
This programme has two intakes each year in October and February. We are currently accepting applications for February 2026, with a deadline of 30 November 2025.
To apply, you will need to provide:
(i) a list of the publications on which the application is based (at least five publications as sole or senior author);
(ii) a personal statement of no more than 1000 words outlining:
- the area(s) in which you have been working
- a brief description of the research undertaken
- when and where the research was undertaken
- for any co-authored works, a statement as to the contribution you made to the publication
- a declaration that none of the works on which the application is based have formed part of the submission for any other degree awarded to you; works submitted for another degree awarded to you will not be accepted in the submission
- evidence (possibly as appendices) that issues around ethical approval, commercial funding and intellectual property have been properly considered
(iii) a letter of support for the application from an academic who knows you professionally.
Apply now
Please note you do not need to upload a research proposal of 3,000 to 4,000 words as requested on the application form. Please upload instead a 1,000 word personal statement and list of publications to be considered.