Progress Reports and Reviews
All postgraduate research students are required to make appropriate academic progress. In general, this means:
- keeping in regular contact with your supervisory team;
- attending recommended lectures, seminars, fieldwork, tutorials, practicals and training events;
- completing work - e.g. written work, practical work - as required by the supervisory team;
- participating in the annual reporting process.
Students who don't make appropriate progress are subject to the University's Academic Progress Procedure. This process can result in a student being required to register for a lower award, or being required to leave the University altogether.
Progress Reviews
Formal Progression Review (the 9 Month Review)
All research students on programmes lasting more than one year are required to undertake a full progress review after 9 months of research study (or 21 months for part-time students). The 9 month review will normally involve the submission of a substantial piece of written work and some kind of presentation. The work and presentation (or equivalent) will be considered by a panel of at least two members of academic staff (who aren't members of your supervisory team).
If the panel are satisfied that you are making good progress, they will recommend that your proceed on your programme. If the panel feel that you aren't demonstrating the potential for research study at the level of your award, they may recommend that you transfer to a lower award (an MPhil or MLitt if you are a PhD student; or an MA or MSc by Research).
If you are required to transfer, you will be given the opportunity, or might be required, to be reviewed again. If the outcome is positive, the Department will recommend that you transfer back to your original programme. If it is not, you could be allowed to continue on a master’s level programme, or required to withdraw.
Further Reviews & Annual Reports
If you are registered on a research programme lasting more than one full-time year, you will have further progress reviews on an annual basis. These reviews are to check that you continue to make good progress, and are on track to complete your thesis on schedule.
Further details on the University's Progress Review policy is available below:
All departments will have information on the specific requirements of the reviews available in departmental student handbooks or equivalent..