Doctoral Programs

Admission Requirements

Application for entry to a doctoral program can be made in either semester, subject to the normal processing time.  An applicant for a doctoral program must meet the following criteria:

a.     A masters degree from a recognised higher education institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4-point scale or equivalent in the masters program, or:

b.     In the case of an applicant from a system not using a 4-point GPA scale, whose cumulative GPA is equivalent to less than 3.00 and above 2.75, work experience and any other academic activity during or beyond the masters degree may be taken into consideration, subject to the approval of the DVCPSR.

c.     In the case of medicine, a medical graduate degree (MD) with a minimum grade of (B) from Sultan Qaboos University or an equivalent qualification from a recognised higher education institution.

d.     Any other program requirements.

Application Requirements

The applicant must fulfill the following:

a.     Submit an application form.

b.     Submit a statement on the objectives and goals of the research proposed for the doctoral program.

c.     Submit 3 letters of reference, at least 2 from academics, to show competence in the discipline of interest and research capability.

d.     Attend an interview if required.

e.     Provide a letter of release and support from the employer for full-time study.

f.      Provide proof of financial support.

g.     Provide a medical report, not more than six months older than the date of application, certifying fitness to pursue the study.

h.     Submit official transcripts, copies of degree certificates and passport/national identity card.

i.      Adhere to the requirements of specific programs, such as language and computer proficiency, assessment of work experience or a qualifying examination in a specific area. Such requirements are listed under the appropriate program description.

Any further conditions will be included in the notification of admission. If the conditions are not met within the specified time, the candidate’s registration in the doctoral program will be cancelled.

Duration

A doctoral program is offered for full time students only and should normally be completed within four years, with all course work completed within the first year.  Extensions of one semester may be approved by the Deanship of Postgraduate Studies, on the recommendation of the supervisor and the college dean. The maximum period of registration is counted from the date of first registration, excluding any postponements granted throughout this period. A student should spend a minimum two year residency period at SQU. See Section 3.3 for partnered programs which may require some time to be spent with a co-supervisor at a host institution.

Degree Requirements

Doctoral candidates are required to produce a thesis containing original work of suitable merit to demonstrate their command of the relevant research methodology and their ability to undertake independent research. The thesis should make a significant contribution to the body of knowledge in the specific area, as demonstrated by at least one paper being published or accepted for publication in an international, specialized, refereed journal. The student should identify the research problem in consultation with the supervisor, which normally takes place at the time of application. The format of the thesis is specified in Appendix A (General Format of a Thesis). A student may not submit for assessment thesis material which has already been submitted for another degree at Sultan Qaboos University or any other academic institution. 

Whilst there is no minimum course work requirement, a program or Thesis Committee may specify certain course work requirements which are deemed to be in the candidate’s interest. These requirements must be completed within the first year of study.

Preliminary Oral Examination

Doctoral students must undertake a searching oral examination after the first seminar but before the end of the first year. This will be undertaken by the Thesis Committee with one external person nominated by the Head of Department. This will be based mainly on the student’s research proposal and will assess the student’s readiness to engage in the proposed research. Failure in this can lead to a second attempt within four months; failure in the repeat will result in withdrawal from the program.

Supervision

Whereas any faculty member with a PhD or equivalent can serve as co-supervisor for a doctoral study, to be a supervisor a faculty member must also have previously supervised a masters/doctoral study or co-supervised a doctoral study and be active in research as evidenced by having at least five papers published in specialised journals within the seven years prior to the start of the doctoral study. Clinicians with consultant or senior consultant status who are not faculty but have a PhD or equivalent and appropriate research activity may co-supervise a doctoral research thesis. Further, where the doctoral study is laboratory or field based with running expenses, the supervisor should secure the funding needed.

Graduation Requirements

Authorisation to grant a doctoral degree will be confirmed upon completion of the following conditions:

a.     Satisfactory completion of all degree requirements within the specified time.

b.     Cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 for any course work requirements.

c.     Acceptance of a paper for publication in a specialised international journal and a conference contribution or a paper in a local journal.

d.     Successful defence of a thesis involving independent research.

e.     Submission of the required number of copies of the final approved version of the thesis.

f.      Clearance of all debts to the University.