MPhil-PhD Regulations
MPhil-PhD Regulations
MPhil-PhD Regulations
University of Peshawar
Regulations for Graduate Degree Programs
(2022 and onwards)
i. These regulations shall be called the “University of Peshawar Regulations for Graduate Degree Programs
2022”.
ii. These regulations shall come into force with effect from Spring Semester, 2022 (academic session 2022-
2023).
iii. These regulations shall be applicable to all graduate degree programs offered by the University of
Peshawar or its constituent or affiliated institutions.
Definitions:
In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions shall have the
meanings hereby respectively assigned to them:
Part-I
iii. The evaluator will be given one month for submission of evaluation report. In case of no
response, a reminder will be sent to the evaluator after one month and then second reminder after
a week. In case of no response after 45 days, the reviewer will be changed without his/her reply
and the thesis will be sent to another evaluator approved by the Vice-Chancellor.
iv. After revision of the thesis, in light of the reviewer’s comments/suggestions, the scholar must
submit the itemized responses to the comments in tabulated form and it should be signed by
him/her and also by the concerned supervisor along with correction certificate.
v. At the result declaration stage, a certificate shall be provided by both scholar and supervisor that
the soft and hard copies of the thesis are explicitly and implicitly the same.
9. Viva-Voce/ Public Defense
i. The scholar shall pass a viva-voce/public defense related to his/her research work. This
examination shall be conducted by the approved examiner (section 8(i)) in the presence of
his/her supervisor/co-supervisor or any other faculty member nominated by the supervisor.
10. Re-Viva-Voce/Public Defense
i. If the thesis is adjudged as adequate but the scholar fails in the Viva-Voce/ public defense, as the
case may be, the scholar may be given a chance to reappear in the Viva-Voce/ public defense, as
the case may be, within a period not exceeding six months.
11. Thesis Format
i. The thesis format should be as follows
a. A cover page having Title of thesis, University Monogram, Scholar Name, Institution and
session.
b. A title page (inner page) having Title of thesis, University Monogram, Name of the scholar &
supervisor(s), session, and Institution.
c. Paper size shall be A4 with both side printing.
d. Font size for chapter names shall be in capital letters 14 (bold), headings shall be 12 bold and
capital letters and subheadings shall be 12 bold small letters.
e. Font size and type shall be 12 and Times New Roman (normal) with 1.5-line spacings.
f. Thesis (5 copies) shall be hard bound in Navy Blue color.
g. The spine should have the name of the scholar, the year in which the thesis was submitted and
the name of the degree for which the thesis was presented i.e. MPhil/MS/LLM.
h. English shall be the medium of instruction and examinations for thesis of all subjects, except
languages in which the medium shall be either the language itself or English. However, the
medium for Islamic Studies shall be Arabic/Pashto/Urdu and/or English.
12. Extension in the Study Period
i. In special circumstances, with reasons to be recorded, extension in the study period for up to a
maximum of 2 years may be allowed by the Board on the recommendation of the supervisor,
subject to the payment of normal fee, etc.
Part-II
PhD
viii. The Directorate of Advanced Studies shall maintain a register and assign a registration number
to each scholar at the time of provisional admission in the concerned Institution.
ix. The provisional admission of a scholar(s) may be confirmed by the concerned Dean after
successful completion of the required coursework and comprehensive examination through a
notification.
17. Scheme of Studies
i. Coursework in the major (compulsory/optional/related) subjects, in which a scholar is
registered from the approved syllabus of the program.
ii. Passing of Comprehensive Examination after completion of the required coursework.
iii. Publication of a research article/paper in HEC recognized journal(s).
iv. Thesis, on a topic approved by the Board.
v. Public Defense.
18. Coursework Requirements
i. A scholar admitted based on MPhil/MS/LLM (18 year of education) program shall have to
complete a minimum of 24 credit hours coursework with a minimum CGPA of 3.0, in
consultation with the supervisor, in the major(s)/optional/related subjects (800 & above course
codes).
ii. A scholar admitted based on BS/MA/MSc (16 years of education) shall have to complete a
minimum of 48 credit hours coursework with a minimum CGPA of 3.0, in consultation with
the supervisor, in the major(s)/related/optional subjects (out of which 24 credit hours from 700
& above and 24 credit hours from 800 & above course codes).
iii. In case the CGPA falls below 3.00, a research scholar shall be allowed to improve the CGPA
by taking additional course(s) or by repeating the course(s) already taken in the following
semester(s), failing which he/she shall be considered as withdrawn.
iv. The scholar shall have to attend at least 75% of the total contact hours of a course.
19. Research Work Requirements
i. On successful completion of the required coursework and passing of comprehensive
examination, the scholar shall submit a research proposal in consultation with the approved
supervisor/co-supervisor for the approval of the Board through concerned GSC along with an
anti-plagiarism certificate from the Directorate of Quality Enhancement or GSA of the
concerned Institution.
ii. The scholar shall be required to publish at least one research paper (available in print or online
form) as its first author during his or her doctoral studies (after his/her admission in the
program but before defense) in an HEC approved Y category (or above) journal for the award
of PhD degree.
iii. The scholar shall provide a certificate endorsed by his/her supervisor along with published
research paper, stating that the paper is published from PhD research work/data.
iv. The student shall write a thesis in the field of his/her major subject. A copy in hard and soft
form of the thesis shall be submitted to the Head of the Institution for onward submission to the
Directorate of Advanced Studies, through the Dean, for the purpose of examination along with
panel of examiner(s).
v. Thesis soft copy should be submitted both in word and PDF format via institutional e-mail.
vi. The hard copy (duly signed by the supervisor) and the anti-plagiarism certificate will be
submitted for official record to the Directorate of Advanced Studies.
vii. The thesis shall be of 9 (Nine) credit hours and there shall not be any numerical grade.
20. Comprehensive Examination
i. On completion of the coursework, a PhD scholar shall have to pass the comprehensive
examination with 50% in the subjects already studied in PhD program/discipline before writing
up a research proposal.
ii. The Head/GSA shall arrange the comprehensive exam within three months from the date of
completion of the coursework.
iii. There shall only be two chances for passing the comprehensive examination. However, the
second comprehensive examination shall be held within three months of the first
comprehensive examination.
iv. The comprehensive examination shall be conducted by the GSC.
v. In case of failing the comprehensive examination:
a. A scholar admitted on the basis of MPhil/MS/LLM may get only a course completion
certificate containing details of the courses studied with grades.
b. A scholar admitted on the basis of BS/MA/MSc (16 years of education) may get a
course-based MPhil/MS/LLM degree. OR
c. A scholar admitted on the basis of BS/MA/MSc (16 years of education) may continue
as MPhil/MS/LLM research scholar and shall complete the research work requirements
for MPhil/MS/LLM degree.
21. Appointment of Examiners and Their Recommendations
i. PhD examination committee shall comprise of the following
a. External Examiner 1 (thesis evaluator).
b. External Examiner 2 (within the University).
c. Internal Examiner (supervisor/co-supervisor).
ii. In addition to the PhD examination committee, the PhD thesis must be evaluated by at least
two external experts, who may be either (i) Pakistan-based Distinguished National Professors,
Meritorious Professors, or Tenured Professors, or (ii) PhD experts from academically advanced
countries (approved list of academically advanced countries for evaluation of PhD thesis is
provided in Annex-1 and subject to revision); provided, however, that if the PhD candidate
publishes his or her thesis research in a peer reviewed journal that is classified by the HEC as
category X or above, the PhD thesis will only require evaluation by one external expert.
iii. The GSC, in consultation with the Supervisor, shall send a panel of examiners consisting of (a)
at least five experts (under section 21 (ii)) and (b) at least three experts from within the country
(having PhD) to the Directorate of Advanced Studies. The Board will appoint one or two
examiners (as required under section 21 (ii)) and one examiner from within the country for the
evaluation of thesis.
iv. The Directorate of Advanced Studies shall send the thesis to the examiners who shall examine
the thesis and communicate the result as follows:
a. The scholar may be recommended for the award of the degree, if report(s) of the
evaluator(s) is/are positive.
b. The scholar may be asked to revise the thesis for re-submission, if the evaluator(s)
suggests so.
c. The thesis may be recommended for the award of the PhD degree, if the majority (at
least two) of the examiners so advise.
d. The thesis may be completely rejected, if suggested by the majority of examiners. In
case of one rejection, the thesis may be sent to another evaluator according to section
21(ii) from the list of five after the Vice Chancellor’s approval.
e. If the examiners find that the thesis needs revision, the scholar shall be allowed to
revise it. It shall be re-submitted for a fresh examination to the same examiner(s) within
a period of twelve months.
f. If the majority of examiners feel that the thesis, despite some shortcomings, is of
sufficient merit, the scholar may be directed to improve the thesis for re-submission
within six months, but without a fresh examination. The re-submitted thesis must carry
a certificate by the Supervisor that the shortcomings so identified have been rectified.
g. Revised thesis with the panel of examiners will be sent to the Directorate of Advanced
Studies for approval of public defense.
v. In case of a delay in examiner(s) report(s), a reminder will be sent to the concerned evaluator(s)
after 45 days and then a second reminder after two weeks. In case of no response after 60 days,
then the evaluator(s) will be changed without his/her reply and the thesis will be sent to another
evaluator approved by the Board.
vi. After thesis revision in light of the evaluator’s comments/suggestions, the scholar must submit
itemized responses to the comments in tabulated form and it should be signed by the scholar
and his/her supervisor along with a correction certificate.
vii. At the result declaration stage, a certificate shall be provided by both the scholar and his/her
supervisor that the soft and hard copies of the thesis are explicitly and implicitly the same.
viii. The Directorate of Advance Studies will update the supervisor(s) regarding the evaluation
process.
22. Public Defense
i. The scholar shall pass a public defense related to his/her research work. This examination shall
be conducted by the approved examination committee in the presence of his/her supervisor/co-
supervisor or any faculty member nominated by the supervisor.
23. Chances for Re-Submission of Thesis and Re-Public Defense
i. Only one chance for re-submission of thesis shall be allowed to a scholar.
ii. If the revised thesis is not approved, it may be rejected, and the scholar may be allowed for one
of the following
a. a scholar admitted on the basis of MPhil/MS/LLM may get only a course completion
certificate containing details of the courses studied with grades.
b. A scholar admitted on the basis of BS/MA/MSc (16 years of education) may get a course-
based MPhil/MS/LLM degree, OR
c. A scholar admitted on the basis of BS/MA/MSc (16 years of education) may continue as
MPhil/MS/LLM research scholar and shall complete the research work requirements for
MPhil/MS/LLM.
iii. If the thesis is adjudged as adequate but the scholar fails in the public defense, the scholar may
be given a chance to reappear in the public defense within a period not exceeding six months.
24. Thesis Format
i. The thesis format should be as follows
a. A cover page having title of thesis, University monogram, Name of the scholar, Institution, and
session
b. A title page (inner page) having title of thesis, University monogram, name of the scholar &
supervisor(s), session, and Institution.
c. Paper size shall be A4 with both side printing.
d. Font size for chapter names shall be in capital letters 14 (bold), headings shall be 12 bold and
capital letters and subheadings shall be 12 bold small letters.
e. Font size and type shall be 12 and Times New Roman (normal) with 1.5-line spacings.
f. Thesis (5 copies) shall be hard bound in Black color.
g. The spine should have the surname of the scholar, the year in which the thesis was submitted
and the name of the degree for which the thesis was presented i.e. PhD.
h. English shall be the medium of instructions and examinations for thesis of all subjects, except
languages in which the medium shall be either the language itself or English. However, the
medium for Islamic Studies shall be Arabic/Pashto/Urdu and/or English.
Part-III
General Regulations
25. Supervisor and Supervision
i. In consultation with scholar, a teacher/expert in the relevant field shall be appointed as
supervisor (HEC approved supervisor in case of PhD).
ii. The GSC shall forward the name of the supervisor working in the same institution through the
Dean, who agrees to such supervision, for each scholar, for approval of the Board.
iii. A co-supervisor can be appointed preferably from different field of specialization and can be
from the same department, other department and/or from outside the University.
iv. A supervisor can supervise (as supervisor or co-supervisor) twelve (12) MPhil/MS/LLM/PhD
scholars at a time, with no more than five (5) of these scholars being enrolled in PhD program.
However, this number may be increased to 8 in special circumstances, which will be decided
by the Board.
v. A supervisor shall perform the following functions:
a. To recommend and plan courses of studies.
b. To propose the topic of research in consultation with the scholar.
c. To supervise and review the progress of the scholar periodically.
vi. In case of scholar’s assessment and performance, the report/decision of the supervisor
(regarding progress of the scholar) will be final.
26. Graduate Studies Committee (GSC)
i. There shall be a Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) for a period of Two-years to be appointed
by the Vice-Chancellor. The Dean, after consulting with the Head of the Institution, shall
forward the names of the members of the GSC to the Directorate of Advanced Studies for
approval of the Vice-Chancellor.
ii. The GSC shall consist of the following members:
a. The Head as Convener.
b. Two seniors most teachers of the Institution having a PhD degree.
c. Two experts, to be nominated by the Dean in consultation with the Head.
d. Graduate Scholars’ Advisor (GSA) will act as secretory (member or non-member as the
case maybe) of the GSC.
iii. If any member(s) is/are not attending GSC meeting (for at least three consecutive meetings)
without any valid reason(s) or not contributing substantially to GSC activities, the Convener
should recommend changes in GSC accordingly.
27. Functions of the GSC
i. To process the applications received for admission by the Director Admissions.
ii. To manage and facilitate the smooth functioning of the graduate programs.
iii. To conduct and supervise the Institutional Assessment Test, interview and comprehensive
examination.
28. Graduate Scholars’ Advisor (GSA) and his/her Functions
i. A faculty member shall be recommended by the Head for approval of the concerned Dean for a
period of two years as GSA.
ii. GSA will make all arrangements for GSC meetings, such as, preparation of agenda items and
recording the minutes and ensuring the timely processing of all the related matters to the
concerned quarters.
iii. GSA will maintain all the records of the graduate scholars, through the dealing assistant/Clerk
(who will work under his/her supervision).
iv. GSA will provide guidance to the scholars from time-to-time.
v. GSA will arrange the timetable for courses, date sheets for mid/final term examinations and
comprehensive test according to University calendar.
vi. All these responsibilities of GSA will be equivalent to one course (3 credit hours) in his/her
Institutional workload.
29. Admission, Tuition Fee
i. Fee shall be deposited by the scholar for each semester as per prescribed rates as defined by the
statuary bodies of the University and changes in it approved from time to time.
ii. In case of extension in the study period normal semester fee will be paid by the scholar.
iii. Foreign nationals shall be required to pay tuition fee, etc., as prescribed by the HEC /University
of Peshawar foreign scholars’ admission policy. Such candidates shall have to forward their
cases of admission as per prescribed routes/rules.
30. Conduct of Examination
i. For each Semester, there shall be two examinations – mid-term and final-term, in addition to
assignments etc.
ii. The weighting/weightage of the examinations and assignments shall be as follows:
a. Mid-term examination 30%
b. Assignments/presentations/term papers, etc. 20%
c. Final-term examination 50%
iii. In courses where examinations are not required, the concerned teacher may change the
evaluation procedure in consultation with the GSC, if already not specified in the curriculum.
31. Grades and Academic Standing
i. The grading system for the graduate program courses (700 and above course codes) shall be
done on a scale of 1-4.
ii. Equivalence between Letter grading and Numerical grading shall be as follows:
Marks (% age) Value Grade Remarks
80 and above 4.0 A Excellent
79 3.9
78 3.8
77 3.8
76 3.7
75 3.6
74 3.6 B Good
73 3.5
72 3.4
71 3.4
70 3.3
69 3.2
68 3.2
67 3.1
66 3.0
65 3.0
64 2.9
63 2.8
62 2.8
61 2.7
60 2.6
59 2.6
58 2.5
57 2.4 C Satisfactory
56 2.4
55 2.3
54 2.2
53 2.2
52 2.1
51 2.0
50 2.0
49 1.9
48 1.8
47 1.7
46 1.6
45 1.5
D Pass
44 1.4
43 1.3
42 1.2
41 1.1
40 1.0
39 and below 0.0 F Fail
I -- I Incomplete
W -- W Withdrawal
P -- P Pass
(Non-Credit Course)
iii. Fraction of marks obtained in a course shall be counted as one mark, e.g. 60.3 shall be
considered as 60 while 49.5 or more is to be considered as 50.
Note: In case numerical grades are not feasible (e.g. field work, thesis) or not required (e.g. related
courses), letter grade P (Pass) or F (Fail) shall instead be used, and not counted towards the
CGPA.
32. Credits and Audits
i. Unless otherwise noted, a credit shall represent a study in an approved course carried out for
one theory hour or two laboratory hours per week per semester.
ii. A scholar who desires to attend a course without taking examination in that course shall be
called an Auditor and shall be shown as such in the transcript. An auditor must secure the
consent of the instructor before he/she is registered as an auditor. He/She shall pay the regular
fees, but no credit shall be granted for the course.
Note: Notwithstanding the foregoing, the University and currently enrolled students may take
advantage of the following revisions in the policy, even if the student had enrolled
before the effective date:
a. Time period for degree completion
b. Research publication requirement
c. Revised external evaluation policy