Purpose
The Doctoral Degree is a research degree leading to a substantial and original contribution to knowledge.
It is normally the culmination of study which begins at the bachelor level and reaches a stage beyond the masters, whereby the individual becomes an incresingly independent scholar. For the PhD/DPhil and named doctorates, the development takes place under the guidance of recognised experts in the field of study and under circumstances that allow the individual access to appropriate research resources.
The contribution to knowledge is judged by independent experts applying contemporary international standards of the discipline. The hallmark will be the individual’s substantial development as an independent researcher as attested by the educational institution and/or as demonstrated by submitted work.
The major component of all doctorates is original research, which can include a substantial contribution to an established, multidisciplinary, collaborative research activity.
The body of work that leads to the award of a doctorate will be one or more of the following:
- a thesis, which may include published work
- creative work with an exegesis
- coursework in combination with a thesis, which may include published work, or creative work with an exegesis.
Credit requirements
A Doctoral Degree requires at least 360 credits at level 10.
Normally this represents 3 to 4 years of full-time study.
Entry
A Bachelor Honours or Master’s Degree achieved to a specified level (which includes having undertaken research), an approved international equivalent, or other approved evidence of adequate training and ability.
Types
The following types of Doctoral Degree are recognised.
Doctor of Philosophy
A thesis constitutes the entire body of work on which the award of the qualification will be judged. Coursework may also be prescribed for the individual, but this will only contribute to the preparation for research and acceptance into the doctoral programme. Where appropriate, individuals may present creative work as part of the thesis requirement.
Doctorate in a specified field or discipline - the named doctorate
For a doctorate in a specified field, coursework may contribute to the assessed programme of study, but research, which may include scholarly creative activity, and the associated thesis must occupy at least two full-time academic years and contribute not less than two-thirds of the overall credit for the degree.
The coursework, which is to be at a standard in advance of that expected for a masters paper, must be part of a coherent programme with the research work, and should normally cover no more than one full-time academic year.
An individual for a named doctorate must gain a passing grade in both the coursework and the thesis, which may include creative work.
Higher Doctorate
Higher Doctorates are awarded for work of special excellence, as judged by experts of international standing, which is completed before a person makes an application to enrol for the degree. Individuals will normally be expected to have completed at least ten years of scholarly work and to have published extensively.
Publication will normally be in scholarly books and/or in reputable international journals. Individuals in the visual or performing arts will have made equally outstanding contributions in their creative work.
Outcomes
A graduate of a doctoral degree is able to:
- design and conduct or supervise research or projects for the generation of new knowledge or innovation in a specialist field
- make informed judgements on complex issues
- contribute the advancement of learning and/or professional practice.
Further criteria
A higher degrees committee, or its equivalent, has general oversight of the admission, progress and assessment of a candidate for a Doctoral Degree.
It will ensure that:
- the programme is coherent
- the candidate’s progress is monitored by regular reports
- the assessment is appropriate and fair, and includes provision for two external examiners for the body of work, one of whom should be from outside of New Zealand
- any taught components that contribute to the overall result are subject to external assessment. One of the external assessors should normally be from an overseas institution.