Postgraduate Programmes – Progression

Postgraduate research students and their supervisors should consult the Code of Practice on Research Degree Programmes and, in particular, notes 9-16 viewable here for guidance in the conduct of panels and other policies relating to progression.  The following additional advice should be useful for Departmental members.

Progression panels are necessary to help monitor and ensure postgraduate research student progress during their time in the Department.  Candidates preparing reports need to demonstrate that they are working towards the production of an original, good quality dissertation on time.  When the panel meets the following topics are likely to be discussed:

• what is the thesis about and how does it contribute to knowledge?
• how is it progressing?
• what has been achieved so far in terms of the thesis and have there been further developments such as conference papers and/or published outputs?
• what still needs to be done and is the time-scale for achieving this realistic?

Reports
When preparing a report candidates should adhere, as far as possible, to the following structure although the lengths (in pages) of each section are estimates. 
1. Cover (1 page) includes

• name
• provisional title of thesis
• full/part-time status
• dates of registration, intended PhD submission and the panel itself

2. Background (1-3 pages) includes

• topic and why you have chosen it
• theoretical framework and reasons for adopting this
• research questions (if the method adopted does not readily lend itself to stating these explain why together with some indication of the kind of data you are expecting to collect)
• methodological approach
• likely contribution of thesis, i.e. what makes it distinctive
• significant change(s) of direction since previous panel (if applicable)

3. Progress (c3 pages) should be concerned with developments since previous panel (if applicable) and includes

• summary of progress to date
• achievements (can be in bullet point format) covering topics such as literature review; theoretical work; methodological progress; research questions; ethical issues; data analysis; chapter completion.
• details of any written outputs such as conference papers, articles, etc
• information on other activities such as courses attended, teaching undertaken, together with an assessment of how these have contributed to/detracted from work on the thesis

4. Future (c 1 page) includes

• aims and objectives to be achieved prior to next panel
• timetable for coming year
• other activities indirectly related to the thesis, e.g. likely teaching commitments, conference participation, etc

5. Personal assessment/any concerns (c half-page)
This is an opportunity for the candidates to reflect on their own progress.  Here there is an opportunity to highlight perceived achievements as well as any problems or concerns that the panel and/or Department might be able to help resolve.

6. Appendices includes

• draft outline of thesis;
• sample of work in progress e.g. chapter(s); 
• copies of any research instruments.

Panels
Panel membership consists of the following staff:

• Upgrade - PGR student, supervisor, adviser (appointed by supervisor) and chair (nominated by Department from other supervisors who also have a candidate in an upgrade panel this same round)
• Subsequent - PGR student, supervisor and adviser (appointed by supervisor)

The Programme Director for Research Students is responsible for reminding supervisors when their candidate’s next panels are due but it is the responsibility of the supervisor to make the arrangements in order to ensure these take place in good time and before a student has to re-register and/or obtain visa for the next academic year.

Staff members of the panel will ordinarily meet about 10 minutes before the formal meeting begins in order for the supervisor to make a verbal report about the student’s progress and for them all to review the topics for discussion.  The upgrade (i.e. first) panel is likely to be more intensive given the candidate is required to produce a report of approximately 10,000 words (in subsequent years this can be much less) and also because the outcome of this meeting determines whether the student can be registered for a PhD.  The panel format allows for probing but not aggressive questioning and is designed to offer useful preparation for the doctoral viva.  After the discussion has ended the supervisor withdraws to enable the candidate to discuss their tuition as well as any other related issues.  The student then leaves to enable the panel to make its recommendations. 

After the upgrade panel the chair should completean Upgrade Form and for subsequent years the adviser should do this using a Progression Form.  A copy of this form should be given to the supervisor who should then discuss its contents and recommendations with the student in a subsequent supervision meeting. The chair/adviser should also pass a copy of the form to the PGR administrator who will then complete a University Annual Report on Progress for the Head of Department/Director of Research Programme to sign and send off to the Research Student Office to enable the student to re-register and continue their research.