Section outline

  • In accordance with current QMUL Academic regulations, all research students are required to be assessed once per academic year in the form of an annual review.

    For full-time PhD students the progression points occur between:

    • 1st year progression: 6-9 months
    • 2nd year progression: 18-24 months
    • 3rd year progression: 36 months (if final examination has not occurred)

    For a part-time PhD students the progression points occur between:

    • 1st year progression: 12-18 months
    • 2nd year progression: 36-48 months
    • 3rd year progression: 72 months (if final examination has not occurred)

     At each of the progression points, research students are required to submit the following documents ahead of the review meeting:

    Your supervisor will submit the following:

    • Supervisor’s Report

    The meetings are conducted by the student’s assessment panel and aim to review the student’s progress and to decide whether or not the student should be allowed to continue with their research as a postgraduate student at PhD status.

    Following the progression assessment meeting, the panel are required to recommend one of the following outcomes to the DPGRS, who has final approval of all progression decisions:

    • PASS PROGRESS – Students status remains as PhD (No Referral assessment is required).
    • REFER – if the performance of a student is assessed to be unsatisfactory, performance indicators will be identified by the panel and the student will be reassessed within 2 months.

    At a REFERRAL assessment the panel will recommend one of the following outcomes:

    • PASS PROGRESS – Student’s status remains as PhD.
    • FAIL - The student’s registration will be terminated on the grounds of academic insufficiency/inadequate attendance.
    • TRANSFER TO MPHIL – The student will be presented with the option to pursue a self-funded MPhil degree. NOTE: MPhil degree programmes are not eligible for studentships, any existing studentship arrangement will cease.

    The research student’s progression status must be concluded within each progression period and will be input into MySIS.

    FIRST YEAR PROGRESSION

    The first year review must take place six to nine months after enrolment (or 12-18 months after enrolment for part-time students). This requirement is to allow you time to take remedial action if necessary before progression to second year.

    Student’s Report: You should produce a short report (usually no more than six A4 pages) outlining the problem you wish to tackle, the background reading you have undertaken, progress made and plans for the future.

    1st year annual review form

    SECOND YEAR PROGRESSION

    The second year review must take place 18-24 months after enrolment (or 36-48 months after enrolment for part-time students). In this review we are looking for evidence of all the qualities necessary for the production of a successful PhD thesis. In addition to adequate levels of scholarship and evidence of progress on the programme of research, you will be required to demonstrate ability in mathematical writing.

    Student’s Report: The written report should be more substantial for this review: at least 20 A4 pages. This report should ideally be viewed as a step in the production of the thesis, and much of the text could find its way, in modified form, into the final production. For example, the report might consist of a projected table of contents, a draft chapter, and a programme of work for the coming year. Depending on progress, the draft chapter might describe a result already obtained, or it might describe the area of study and progress made so far. If you have published a paper or a preprint (say on ArXiv), it is perfectly acceptable to submit that, with a short description of how that result fits into the bigger picture, and conclude with a plan for completion within an absolute maximum of four years (seven years for part-time students).

    2nd year review form


    THIRD YEAR PROGRESSION

    The third year review must take place 36 months after enrolment (or 72 months after enrolment for part-time students). Some students will be able to submit their thesis during the third year. For those who do not, the third year review provides a chance for all involved to assess progress. The main concern is to ensure that a realistic plan exists for completing the thesis expeditiously and before the fourth year of study.

    Student’s Report: The report (around six A4 pages) should concentrate on describing the proposed structure of the thesis (e.g., a table of contents), what has been done already, and what needs to be done. An important part of the report should be a realistic and robust timetable for completion of the thesis, which is also required for the College's formal process of transfer to writing up status.

    3rd year review form


    BEYOND THIRD YEAR REVIEWS

    If you have not transferred to writing up status after three years, further reviews must take place on a regular basis. At the review meetings your Assessors should make recommendations to support the timely completion of your research. The reviews will be scheduled every six months until you have transferred to writing-up status.

    Student’s Report: The reports for these review (around six A4 pages) should concentrate on describing the proposed structure of your thesis (e.g. a table of contents), what has been done already, and what needs to be done. An important part of the report should be a realistic and robust timetable for completion of the thesis. 

    Beyond 3rd year review form