PhD Registration and Assessment procedures There are 3 stages of internal assessment during the PhD:

Research Plan 8 weeks after registration dateEarly Stage Assessment (ESA) 9 months FT/18 months PTLate Stage Review (LSR) by 24 months FT/30-36 months PT

Shortly after your registration, Hayley will send each student an email containing their milestone deadlines.

Times refer to COMPLETION of assessment NOT SUBMISSION OF FORM/REPORT

All assessment documents are completed/sent electronicallyHard copies not accepted

Progress Review Panel (PRP)

The PRP is made up of two subject experts, at least one of whom must be external to the student’s Section or Centre.  The PRP is proposed by the supervisor and approved by the Higher Degrees Research Committee in advance of the first assessment.

 The Panel will make all three assessments.

There is no flexibility with assessment timings. The milestone dates must be followed.

Recommendations   At each stage of assessment, the assessors make a recommendation:

Approval by the HDRC

Approval by the HDRC subject to certain revisions and/or amendments being satisfactorily completed

Re-submission within a stipulated length of time

Recommend that the work is not suitable for PhD registration and the applicant should be transferred to MPhil registration

To recommend that the student should not continue

The final decision on all recommendations rests with the Departmental HDRC.

Research Plan Assessment: to confirm student has the required

academic qualifications proficiency in spoken and written English The PRP may, on occasion, find it necessary to interview a student if

clarification is needed on any aspect of the application (eg to confirm proficiency in English ).

Research Plan and Supervisor meet the required standard: Scope to carry out your own research even though you may be working in

a large team with complementary projects

Appropriate supervision can be given throughout the PhD.

The PRP may, on occasion, find it necessary to interview a student if clarification is needed on any aspect of the application (eg to confirm proficiency in English ).

Registration and Assessment

First Assessment: Research Plan (by 8 weeks)

Students must complete the research plan assessment within 8 weeks of starting their studies.  The Progress Review Panel (PRP) must have been approved by the Department before the assessment procedure can begin.

No presentation to PRP at this stage

The purpose of the Research Plan is to ensure, as far as possible, that a successful PhD will follow. The PRP report aims to be helpful and provide constructive feedback where appropriate.

Registration and Assessment

The Research Plan is completed on a pro forma with two pages for an overview of the project. 

It should contain: Background, hypothesis, aims, methods, plan of investigation.

Potential issues should be highlighted: eg new technique(s), patient recruitment, awaiting ethical

approval Aim: demonstrate understanding of all aspects of the research to be undertaken.

Second Assessment: Early Stage Assessment (by 9 months FT, 18 months PT )

Student to arrange time/location/send report to assessors (at least one week ahead)

4,000-word report, comprising a literature review, an overview of progress to date and a plan of future work. The student will give a 10-20 minute oral presentation followed by a viva (up to 30 minutes can include open question and answer session).

Students must have met the Graduate School’s professional skills courses requirement by this stage.

Third (final) Assessment:Late Stage Review (by 24 months FT, 30-36 months PT)

Student to arrange time/location/send report to assessors (at least one week ahead)

oral presentation of at least 30 minutes and submit a summary document not longer than 4 pages including an overview of the presentation and a detailed plan of future work to complete. 

Followed by a viva……………opportunity to discuss your work

Assessments provide useful practice for PhD viva

Good luck!