College of Arts
Distance Learning Postgraduate Research Degrees
It is possible to register for a Postgraduate Research Degree by Distance Learning. A
Distance Learning degree is well-suited to those who may be unable to attend or
travel to the University of Glasgow for extended periods of time. It is ideally suited to
those who may want to combine their research project with their work or interests
(registering as a part-time student), and have access to local resources appropriate
to their proposed area of study and methodology (e.g. library, special collection, IT
resources, specialist research data or specific object of study).
Applicants to the Distance Learning programme should recognise the particular
challenges of undertaking advanced, postgraduate research ‘at a distance’. You will
need to have high levels of self-motivation, commitment and a solid plan of research,
with a defined focus of study.
The expectations attached to a distance learning postgraduate research programme
are the same as those for a student undertaking the programme of study by
attendance at the University of Glasgow (70,000-100,000 word thesis for a PhD,
40,000-70,000 words for an MLitt by Research, and 30,000 - 40,000 for an MPhil by
Research). All of these degrees will be examined by both an internal and an external
examiner; the PhD will be defended in a viva voce examination.
The time permitted for distance learning is the same as that permitted for those
undertaking the same degree on campus: up to a maximum of 4 years full time for
PhD, up to 6 years part time; 1 year full time for the MPhil, 2 years part time; 2 years
full time for the MLitt by Research, up to 3 years part time.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements for a Distance Learning postgraduate research degree are the
same as the College’s standard academic entry requirements and English language
requirements.
http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/arts/graduateschool/prospectivestudents/researchstudy
/howtoapply/
You will need to submit a 1,000 word research proposal. You are advised to discuss
your project with a potential supervisor before you submit your application. As part of
the application process, we will ask you to confirm that you have:
Access to local library facilities (where needed)
Access to IT facilities
Access to communications, including e-mail and visual communication media e.g.
Skype and/or Facetime
Access to facilities to support any study-related disability (where appropriate)
Your supervisory team will also want to see some evidence of your research
capacity, to be reassured that you will be able to progress your research study at a
distance (e.g. substantial independent project from your Masters degree or UG
degree, papers delivered at professional or academic conferences or published in
journals).
At the point of acceptance, the applicant and the supervisors are required to
complete a learning contract which stipulates the minimum attendance requirements
and mode and frequency of supervisory support.
Supervisory Support
As with all research students in the College of Arts, distance learning candidates are
allocated two academic supervisors (either a primary and secondary supervisor, or
co-supervisors). Your supervisors will help you plan and manage your research,
agreeing a timetable of meetings and actions that fit your needs and your project. As
with students on campus, you would be expected to have formal contact with your
supervisor approximately every month (for a full time student) or every six weeks (for
a part time student). Contact may be more regular in the early stages of your
research project.
Contact would be managed via email, telephone, and/or tele-conferencing. The most
appropriate method would be discussed and agreed with the supervisors before the
commencement of study.
In addition to having two supervisors, as with all students in the Graduate School of
the College of Arts, you will have an allocated Advisor of Study. The role of the
Advisor is of a pastoral nature – s/he is a point of contact to discuss issues that are
not related to the academic content of your study.
Students enrolling on the Distance Learning PhD programme will be required to
complete skills development workshops (a suite of courses in first year if f/t, and over
two years if p/t), and optional courses thereafter (2 per year for f/t students). Some
training is available online. Students should discuss the availability and range of
courses offered with their supervisors. The types of generic skills training workshops
include:
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Research ethics
Beginning your PhD
Academic writing
Visiting Glasgow
Whilst the majority of your study can be completed at a distance, As a Distance
Learning doctoral student, it is a normal requirement that you visit the University of
Glasgow, and meet with your supervisor(s) in person at least once every year as a
full time student (once every second year if you are a part time student). As with
students resident at Glasgow, you will be required to undertake an Annual Progress
Review. This may be arranged via tele-conferencing or Skype. It is standard practice
for PhD students registered on a Distance Learning Programme to attend a viva voce
examination at the University of Glasgow. All registered PhD students at the
University of Glasgow are required to undertake an Annual Progress Review. (For
part time students, this may be arranged via tele-conferencing or Skype). It is also
normal for PhD students registered on a Distance Learning Programme to attend a
viva voce examination at the University of Glasgow.
International students admitted on a Distance Learning agreement would not be
issued with – nor would they require – a Certificate of Acceptance of Study (CAS) (for
Student Visa purposes).
Fees
Fees for the PhD by Distance Learning are the same as our standard on-campus
PhD fees (Home/EU and International rates apply).
Dean of Graduate Studies