Our PhD by Distance programme allows you to benefit from our world-class support and the expertise of a Reading-based supervisor, while conducting your research in a location that suits your circumstances.
The programme is available to candidates who need to study for most of their registration period at another site, whether in the UK, or worldwide. Acceptance for PhD by Distance is subject to the approval of the supervisors and the relevant school or department.
There are several reasons why you may wish to base yourself away from the University of Reading while undertaking your PhD:
- You have an extensive fieldwork element to your research
- You have responsibilities (e.g. caring or employment) that prevent you from attending on campus
- You are already based and/or employed in an environment that is relevant and conducive to their research
- You do not reside within travelling distance of the University
- You are based in a UK research organisation/institution with a collaborative agreement with the University of Reading in place
What the programme offers
On the PhD by Distance programme, you will benefit from:
- the opportunity to study on either a part-time (4-6 years duration) or full-time basis (3-4 years duration)
- supervision from one or more leading University of Reading academics, working at the forefront of their field
- access to a range of high-quality training, delivered on campus or online (see section below on Training)
- access to extensive online Library resources
- a PhD qualification which is delivered and examined at the same high academic standard as a campus-based PhD and a standard PhD degree certificate which does not state the mode of study on it.
Training for PhD by Distance students
The Doctoral and Researcher College provides a suite of generic researcher training open to all doctoral researchers at Reading; this complements subject-specific training available via Schools. The specific content of the programme changes from year to year but broadly includes the following:
- Live online training (available off-campus) – A selection of our training sessions in the Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP) are delivered live online each year. UK time zone applies
- Recorded tutorials (available off-campus) – A small but growing selection of recorded tutorials on key topics such as managing data, academic English and research funding
- Face-to-face training (available on campus only) - Other RRDP training sessions and selected longer programmes are offered face-to-face only. Students registered By Distance have access to face-to-face training when physically present on campus.
By Distance study entails reduced access to training opportunities and on-campus experience. By Distance candidates are encouraged to discuss and mutually agree overall training plans with their supervisor and seek supplementary training external to Reading (e.g. via an employer or nearby institution) as appropriate.
Induction and physical attendance
A University-wide induction event is held by the Doctoral and Researcher College near the start of each term for all new doctoral researchers. PhD by Distance students studying at Reading in the first term are expected to attend. Where it is not possible for PhD by Distance students to attend in person (i.e. they are not on campus), a recording of the induction will be made available on the virtual learning environment.
Students registered By Distance will benefit from being physically present on campus for periods of time, for instance to attend induction and selected training, to meet their supervisor and peers, and to attend at key points such as Confirmation of Registration. It is strongly recommended that the first month of their programme be spent on campus.
Eligibility
You must meet the following criteria:
- Satisfy the academic and English language entry requirements for PhD study
- The candidate has a research project which can be undertaken successfully by distance; regular access to campus should not be essential for successful completion of the research
- The candidate must be able to demonstrate that they have the time to undertake a PhD on the selected mode (full-time or part-time). Part-time doctoral study at Reading typically equates to between 50% and 60% of full-time
- The candidate has independent access to the resources needed to successfully complete their research; this will vary between candidates and projects but may include access to archives, facilities, data collection, digital infrastructure or space in their off-campus location
- The candidate is well motivated to work alone; they understand that By Distance registration is not an online learning programme and has reduced access to campus training
- The candidate and School/Department have discussed the suitability of their research project and personal circumstances for study by distance
- The candidate, where appropriate, has access to support from a local supervisor or mentor with experience in the academic field and also of supporting students or equivalent researchers. Advisors/mentors may be appointed to provide a regular point of contact, and are normally in a position to act as an ‘advocate’ and provide pastoral care if needed.
- Will study at least two-thirds of your minimum registration period off campus
If you are intending to study in the Henley Business School, then please check with the relevant Department within the Business School about whether PhD by Distance is available before you apply.
A PhD by Distance is not suitable for all candidates. In offering a PhD By Distance programme specific consideration is given to the suitability of the research project, and whether it can be completed successfully without regular access to campus. Further consideration is given to areas of supervision, support, transferable and subject-specific skills training, research environment , progression milestones and the examination process in order to ensure off campus research students receive a comparable (although, not similar) experience to on campus students registered on ‘standard’ PhD programmes.
Fees
Fees for PhD by Distance programmes can be found on the fees webpage
How to apply
Before starting your application, you are strongly advised to navigate to the PhD webpages of your chosen school or department to read the specific guidance on how to apply, as the requirements can vary. Once you have read the guidance, you will need to make a formal application through the University's online application system, highlighting that you wish to study for a PhD by Distance (full or part-time). If you have questions about PhD by Distance in a specific school or department, then please contact the relevant School/Department PGR Administrator in the School PGR Support Team.
Immigration considerations for international students
PhD by Distance students must ensure that when visiting the University that they obtain the correct visa. The correct type of visa depends upon the period of time which a student intends to spend physically at the University.
PhD by Distance students can visit the University for up to six months within each academic year with a maximum of eighteen months in total for the duration of their programme. Students must discuss their intentions with the Doctoral Research Office (DRO) well in advance of any planned visit to the University. The DRO is well-placed to provide information on a range of immigration-related matters related to Postgraduate Research Programmes dro@reading.ac.uk
Examination
The normal expectation is that the viva of a PhD by Distance student will take place in Reading. Where this is not feasible, online examinations will be arranged.
Further information
Further information on PhD by Distance study can be found in the University's guidance on PhD by Distance.