Thanks for all the replies.

Thats your opinion and thats fair.

We've established there isn't a direct route to this in the UK. The question is what about the rest of Europe?

Bringing us all back.......

He isn't having difficulty; he's looking at the possibility. His old supervisors know him (they still write his references and check his papers) and he gets on wonderfully with them.

He just doesn't want to spend 3 years learning a lot of what he already knows.

2 years.

"said person" has 4 peer reviewed publications 2 pending.

You dont do research unless your (hopefully successful) results can be aired in public. Publications are a bonus to a successful phd. In physics (I dont know what subject you are doing Otto) even more so. You dont slave for 3 years and hope all you get out it is a certificate; no matter how well earned.

A traditional phd is a luxury for some. Publishing is the only option left to you in this case. I cant think of anyone out there who doesn't associate a publishing record with the ability to do a phd.

"Wouldn't it be easier just to buy a PhD ala Dr. Gillian McKeith. Thats the easiest option, which is what said party appears to be looking for."

What Gilian McKeith has can't be termed a phd in the true sense and suggesting that the "said party" is after the easiest option is nonsense.

The "said party" worked his ass off on his Msc. Managed to get papers published from it. Worked on other problems and was lucky enough to publish from those as well (all whilst still working fulltime).

The phd represents unfinished business; he just doesn't want to waste 3 years of his life. The "said party" has done the work. The aim is to defend it.

The UK system doesn't offer a clear way to this that is all. If anything the "said party" has taken the most difficult option.

Thanks for all the replies. Its quite clearly difficult to do in the UK. What about the rest of Europe?

Whats been your experience of this Otto?

Most of the publications were an extension of what he had done for his Masters. A couple of others were one-off articles.

I guess this rules him out......

He's been out of academia for a couple of years and in full time work. Never got past Masters so doesn't have the contacts. He doesn't want to spend 3 years relearning things he already knows.

Thanks for the reply.

Do you know what the differences are between the subjects? i.e the candidate did some research that can be classed as theoretical chemistry or physics (meaning the papers can be classed as such).

Basically I'm asking what type of departments are more likely to allow this.

again, thanks.

Does anyone know if it is possible to obtain a phd by publications min Europe? The candidate left academia but kept publishing research papers.