Part IV · No. 17
The degree certifies academic competence. Any office, mandate or ordination is a separate act.
Arts & Humanities·Level 8 · Third Cycle·Church Degree · suffix C
PhD.C.
Doctor of Philosophy — Church Degree
Preparation of an independent researcher capable of making an original contribution to an approved humanities, social, educational, legal, historical, or other field.
| CHEQF Level | 8 |
| Qualification type | Third cycle, research |
| Admission requirements | A Level 7 degree with a substantial research component; an approved proposal and demonstrated linguistic/methodological readiness. |
| Normative volume | Research doctorates: at least three years of full-time equivalent study after Level 7; professional doctorates typically 3–5 years. The precise structure is established in the Degree Programme Specification. |
Content · Outcomes
Content is what is taught. Outcomes are what is verified.
01 Required content areas
What the programme must contain
- advanced research methodology
- doctoral seminars
- field-specific theory and sources
- research ethics
- publication and academic communication
02 Graduate learning outcomes
What the graduate must demonstrate
- demonstrates expert knowledge of the field and its research methodology
- designs and carries out independent original research or a doctoral professional project
- creates new knowledge, a method, model, or demonstrable professional innovation
- publicly defends the results before qualified experts
- is capable of publishing, teaching, providing expert leadership, and upholding standards of academic integrity.
Final · Progression
Final capstone work and dissertations may not be transferred from elsewhere.
03 Final assessment
How the programme closes
An original dissertation, external review by at least one independent examiner, and a public/open defence. Minimum duration: three years of full-time equivalent study after Level 7.
04 Academic progression
Where it leads
Eligibility for academic and research positions is determined by the requirements of the relevant institution/jurisdiction.
Status
Black is what the degree certifies. This is what it does not.
05 Status and professional limitation
PhD.C. is a Church Degree. It must not be represented as a state-accredited PhD without separate recognition.
“This is an ecclesiastical academic qualification awarded within the Church system of higher education. It is not represented as a state-awarded or state-accredited academic degree unless such recognition has been separately granted by the competent authority of the relevant jurisdiction.”
Recommended status statement on every diploma, Article 17