A PhD is a doctoral research degree and the highest level of academic qualification you can achieve. The degree normally takes between three and four years of full-time work towards a thesis offering an original contribution to your subject.
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In your first year, after your induction and meetings with your supervisors, you write a detailed research plan.For some research projects, you may need to gain ethical approval before any fieldwork or data collection can start.Your supervisor will advise you on this.
Each year you submit a report outlining your progess to your supervisors. This is called the annual review.In your report, you need to show a suitable amount of progression in order to continue with your PhD.Your supervisors also write a report on your progress.
You need to write up your research in a thesis. After your third year (if you are doing a full-time PhD), you may be able to apply for a writing-up year.You can only apply for a writing-up year if you have finished conducting your formal research and your supervisors agree to this.This is called pre-submission status and you need to pay a reduced fee. If you have pre-submission status, you can spend an extra year writing up your research.
You submit the thesis to be reviewed by two examiners with expertise in your area of research.Usually, your work is reviewed by one University of Sussex examiner and one external examiner.
After the examiners have reviewed your written thesis, you have a viva (oral exam).During the viva, the examiners ask you questions about your research.
After the viva, the examiners may ask you to make some changes to your thesis (known as corrections).You must make these corrections before you can graduate.
When you've passed your viva and made any corrections to your PhD thesis, you are awarded with the degree title Doctor of Philosophy.
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