Academic Regulations Governing Postgraduate Degrees by Research and Thesis

10. Regulations for the Admission of Candidates who do not have a Primary Degree cognate to the proposed area of research

1. The admission of candidates not holding prior degree qualifications cognate to the research being undertaken shall be strictly limited and applicable in exceptional cases only.
2. The case of each applicant whose primary qualification is not in a cognate area should be considered on its own merits; such applications must be fully supported and endorsed by the School/Department(s) in which the research will be carried out and supervised.
3. The onus will be on the sponsoring School/ Department and supervisor to give clear reasons for their recommendation in such a case. They will be required to state explicitly:

• the reasons in support of the acceptance of the applicant;
• the skills and knowledge to be acquired by the applicant prior to undertaking meaningful research work in the proposed area;
• the particular qualities and knowledge possessed by the applicant which will offset the lack of a relevant and cognate prior degree qualification;
• whether or not the applicant will require more advice and guidance than would be necessary for a student with a cognate degree background and if so, whether such a commitment is an effective use of School time.

 

Last Updated: Tuesday February 26 2008