Academic Regulations 2004/05
School of Social Sciences

Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Social Work (DSW)

  1. The degree of Doctor of Social Work (DSW) may be awarded by the Senate to postgraduate students who have successfully pursued a course of study as prescribed below to the satisfaction of the School of Social Sciences.

  2. All students will initially register for the MPhil (Research Methods); on the successful completion of their portfolio on the taught work, they will be eligible to register for the DSW.
Admission
  1. Candidates for entry to the course must normally possess an undergraduate degree of an approved University or of CNAA in an appropriate specialism. Other candidates may be admitted to the course on the recommendation of the School Board.
Scheme of Study
  1. All students will initially be registered for the MPhil (Research Methods). On successful completion of the portfolio based on the taught work, they will be eligible to register for the DSW.

  2. The scheme of study will comprise attendance at 6 units comprising an appropriate mix of taught compulsory and elective units, and completion of a compulsory research thesis.

  3. All students will be assigned a personal tutor during the coursework phase and a research supervisor who will be responsible for the supervision of the student's progress in researching and writing the thesis.

  4. Candidates are required to undertake the scheme of study over a period of not less than three years, and not more than four years, full-time study study, or not less than 5 years, and not more than 7 years, part-time study.
Examination
  1. Candidates are required to complete successfully:

    1. a portfolio of coursework of 30,000 words based on a range of assignments across the taught units. Permission to proceed to the thesis will be decided by the School Board on the basis of a satisfactory portfolio.

    2. a research thesis of 45,000 words which relates to a substantive area on a topic approved by the School Board.

    3. an oral examination.

  2. There will be one external examiner for the taught courses. The examiners for each candidate shall recommend one of the following courses of action:

    1. successful completion of all the taught work leads to either the award of the MPhil (Research Methods) or permission to undertake research for the award of the DSW;

    2. that a candidate who fails in up to two units may be referred and resubmit work on one occasion by a date specified by the School Board;

    3. failure in more than two units will lead to a recommendation for termination of course registration.

Examination of the Thesis
  1. Each thesis shall be examined by an examiner appropriately qualified to assess the research material. The examiners shall recommend one of the following course of action for each candidate:

    1. that the degree of DSW be awarded, subject if necessary to minor amendments being made by a date specified;

    2. that the candidate be permitted to submit a revised thesis by a date specified on one occasion only;

    3. that the candidate be required to attend a further oral examination;

    4. that the degree of DSW be not awarded and that resubmission of the thesis be not permitted;

    5. that, in the case of a candidate who has failed to satisfy the requirements for the award of DSW, the degree of MPhil (Research Methods) be awarded;

    6. that, in the case of a candidate who has failed to satisfy the requirements for the award of DSW or MPhil (Research Methods), the candidate shall normally be regarded as having failed the examination.