The PhD by Distance Learning is designed to offer an additional mode of study to those who seek a PhD but would find it difficult to fulfil the requirements of full or part-time study on-campus.

Successful applicants for this programme will require a good quality research proposal as a key condition of entry, as well as meeting the usual University and departmental requirements. They will be assigned supervision from the relevant department. 

All Distance Learning PhD candidates, regardless of department, will initially undertake a structured programme of research training over the course of 12 months. The research training will consist of four mandatory modules, delivered through a combination of module books and interactive tasks, readings and discussion on the University’s Blackboard virtual learning environment.

Following the completion of the research training, you will begin to focus solely on your proposed theses, with supervisory support provided by telephone or electronically. 

You will only be expected to visit the Leicester campus for your Advanced Postgraduate (APG) status review; which must be completed after 24 months of registration, and for your viva exam at the end of your degree. The APG review represents the end of the 24 month probationary period and allows your department to assess your overall suitability as a research student based on your performance over the two years. The department then makes a recommendation on the degree for which you should register: in most cases this is a PhD.; and your eventual viva. You will not be required to visit campus at any other time during your registration, although you will be both encouraged and welcome to do so to meet your supervisors and fellow students and to attend additional training events. The minimum period of registration for the Distance Learning PhD is three years and the maximum six.

If you are interested in applying for a PhD with us, please contact Philip Cook with a research proposal. Guidelines for producing a proposal are available here: PhD Guidance

Dr Philip Cook
Department of Politics and International Relations
University of Leicester
University Road
Leicester LE1 7RH
Email: pac20@le.ac.uk

Further information about the PhD by Distance Learning is also available at the following 'Study With Us' page: http://www2.le.ac.uk/study/research/phd/politics/distance-learning

Please contact the Department for information regarding course fees.