Applying for a Higher Doctorate
To apply for a Higher Doctorate you will need to complete a hard copy application form available at the bottom of this page.
The application form must include a statement of no more than 1000 words, which should detail:
- How and in what respect the work has made a significant and coherent contribution to knowledge
- The impact within its discipline
- The methodologies used
- An appropriate contextualisation of the research
- A clear indication of any parts of the work which may have been carried out in collaboration with other parties/authors
Other documents which should accompany your application:
- Your birth certificate or a copy of the personal details page of your passport
- Qualification certificates
- English language competency certificate
- A letter confirming funding if provided by a sponsor
- Academic references, a curriculum vitae and any other information to support your application, if you do not hold standard qualifications (first or upper second class honours degree or equivalent)
Interview
If your application meets the requirements of the University admission procedures and a supervisory team can be constituted then you will be invited on campus to attend an interview. Overseas students will not need to attend the University but will be interviewed by telephone.
Successful applicants
If your application is successful your details will be forwarded to Graduate Research Support from which an offer letter will be issued including details of enrolment and payment of tuition fees.
Key documents
Please download and read the appropriate documents before applying for a PhD by Existing Published or Creative Work or a Higher Doctorate:
- Research degrees: information for applicants booklet (.pdf)
- Distance learning programme guidelines (.doc)
- The University's code of practice for postgraduate research (.pdf)
- The University's admission procedures (.pdf)
- Regulations for the award of the University's Higher Doctorates (.pdf)
English language requirements
The minimum level of English you need is British Council IELTS band 6.5 or above. If you don't have this qualification please contact Graduate Research Support for advice: +44 (0) 191 515 3260 / grs@sunderland.ac.uk.
Download the application form
Download the Higher Doctorates application form (.doc)
Return the completed application form to:
Graduate Research Support office, Room 218, 2nd Floor Edinburgh Building, City Campus, Chester Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR1 3SD, United Kingdom. Email: diane.davis@sunderland.ac.uk
The form will then be forwarded to the appropriate academic department to investigate whether the University can provide you with a supervisory team with the appropriate subject expertise.
