For PhD candidiates holding a relevant Master's degree, the period of registration may, exceptionally, be of two years' duration. This arrangement must be agreed by the Head of Department and Director of Studies before commencement of the research. It is expected that PhD students at Bangor will produce and submit a thesis for examination within four years of commencing a three-year programme. Skill is therefore required in recognising non-viable areas which should be abandoned in order to pursue a more promising line of enquiry. Such courses contain elements of research methodology, IT skills, bibliographic techniques, intellectual property and writing skills.
Students usually register for research degrees at the beginning of the session.
However, in certain circumstances, registration is permitted in either January or April.