Formal progression

All postgraduate researchers who commenced their studies on or after 1 September 2016, are subject to Formal Reviews of Progress. These take place annually for full-time students, and biennially for part-time students. Formal Reviews of Progress are designed to be a supportive process to maximise your chances of successful on-time completion.

Postgraduate researchers embarking on a PhD or EngD programme prior to 1 September 2016 are initially enrolled provisionally for that qualification. It is up to your Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP) to recommend whether or not your enrolment should be confirmed. The final decision on your enrolment lies with the Standing Committee on Assessment (SCA).

Confirmation of enrolment

Confirmation of enrolment is determined by a two-part examination, comprising a written submission and an oral examination. This is administered by a Confirmation Panel, made up of members of your TAP including your supervisor. The Confirmation Panel may also include other members of academic staff and/or the Chair of your departmental Graduate School Board.

Timing

• Full-time PhD students should be considered for confirmation of enrolment within eighteen months, with a final decision on recommendation being made within two years.
• Part-time PhD students should be considered for confirmation of enrolment within three years, with a final decision on recommendation being made within four years.
• Full-time EngD students should be considered for confirmation of enrolment within two and a half years, with a final decision on recommendation being made within three years.

Written submission

Your written submission should be provided to the Confirmation Panel at least 10 days before your oral exam. It should include:

• evidence that work on your project is underway;
• evidence that appropriate research training has been undertaken;
• a substantial piece of written work which will contribute to your final thesis;
• a realistic plan for completion and submission of your final thesis.

Oral examination

Combined with your oral examination, this should demonstrate your ability to:

• identify and articulate a hypothesis or research questions which have the potential to lead to an original contribution to knowledge;
• identify, categorise, and critically engage with an appropriate amount of material already published in the area of your research;
• articulate your methods and explain your research approach;
• demonstrate your potential for writing a successful thesis.