Compilation Style PhD Thesis

Compilation Style PhD Thesis

29 January 2025, 1.00pm-3.00 pm -

Training Room 4.09, Graduate School, St Andrew's Court

In many European countries, PhD dissertations are based on a collection of published or potentially publishable articles – written in a concise journal style, during the course of registration for the degree. This approach can lead to more publications, better completion rates and greater potential employability for students.

This compilation style thesis usually has a brief introduction setting out the ‘thesis’ being defended, summarising the following chapters and explaining how they relate to one another. There is no large, separate, literature review. Instead, each chapter is structured like a self-contained paper/article. Unlike the PhD by Publication route, continental/compilation style theses are completed during a normal period of PhD registration.

This session outlines the structure of the continental PhD thesis as employed in the University’s Department of Psychology in the last ten years, along with the compilation thesis that’s been pioneered in the Faculty of Business and Law. We’ll explain the origins, advantages and challenges of this form of thesis, before giving time for you to ask your own questions.

PLEASE NOTE: This event is currently open to Portsmouth University affiliated staff only. If you have any further queries please email

Host or Publisher University of Portsmouth Research Supervision Events