[SSC] Alternative paths to PhD

[Joss Winn]

At Sunday's SSC meeting, we got talking about alternatives to traditional
PhD routes. At the SSC, it's always been our intention to work with
scholars that wish to study to a level equivalent to a PhD.

My own intention is to eventually go down the PhD by Published Work as
I've discussed here:

http://j.mp/13czMyE


In the past, the 'PhD by Publication' route has normally only been
available to staff who already work in a university. However, I think it's
in SSC member's interests to know that many universities are now allowing
anyone with an appropriate body of prior publications to register for a
PhD by Publication/PhD by Published Work.

I've started to compile a list of UK universities that discuss this route
to a PhD on their website and identify which ones accept registrations
from members of the public who are not staff.

http://j.mp/100C8uh


In summary, most expect 4-8 peer-reviewed articles or an equivalent book,
as well as a 5-15,000 word overarching essay which provides context.

I'll update this list from time to time, but as you can see, I've compiled
a fairly wide selection of institutions already from the hour I spent
searching the web (Google search: 'PhD "by publication" OR "by published
work" site:.ac.uk').

There will certainly be more, but the overall impression is clear: This is
a route that SSC scholars may wish to pursue after studying with the SSC
and compiling a sufficient body of published work.

In addition to this, there are initiatives that overlap with the SSC to
provide accreditation at the level of a Doctorate. Here's some information
on Open & Networked PhDs (ONPhD):

https://p2pu.org/en/groups/onphd-candidacy/
http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/PhD
http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/User:Leighblackall/PhD

Any thoughts on all of this?

Joss