Formal reviews of progress for PhD and MPhil students

Masters by research students do not have Formal Reviews of Progress.

All PhD and MPhil students (but not MA/MSc by research students) are subject to formal reviews of progress. The purpose of formal reviews of progress is to ensure that you are making satisfactory progress with your research project and other elements of your PhD or MPhil programme. A formal review of progress should give you a clear sense of the progress you are making on your degree but the decision of a progression panel does not serve as a prediction for the outcome of the final examination.

Formal reviews of progress take place on an annual basis, towards the end of each year of enrolment, for full-time PhD and MPhil students, and on a biennial basis for part-time PhD and MPhil students. Formal reviews of progress are not required for entry into a continuation period, where this is permitted.

You have a maximum of two opportunities to meet the relevant University progression criteria at each formal review of progress. If you have not met the relevant University progression criteria after two attempts you will have failed the progression point and will be transferred to an alternative programme or your enrolment will be terminated.

To assist the progression panel, students are asked to upload all relevant documentation into the Progression Preparation form, including their last TAP report, TAP presentation, and PDP.

For further details refer to the research student webpages

For your formal review of progress, you will be assessed against University progression criteria (see below) which set out the threshold requirements for progression to the next year (or equivalent period for part-time students).

The assessment is undertaken by a progression panel, which is independent of your supervisor(s) to gain an external perspective on the progress that you are making, and to ensure that your relationship with your supervisor remains focused on your development as a researcher.

Progression (FRP) into your next year of study is assessed by the Biology postgraduate research team based on your second TAP meeting of each year, and comments from your supervisor, with your response, on the Progression preparation form. Based on these elements, the progression panel will make a decision as to whether you have met, exceeded or not met the relevant University progression criteria as well as a recommendation regarding your progression. If progress has been sufficient to meet the progression requirements then no formal progression meeting will occur and you will be progressed to the next stage. If you are required to undertake a progression review meeting, you will be contacted on the next steps in due course.

Although in most cases a formal meeting does not take place, you must complete the appropriate pre-meeting form on SkillsForge ; these meeting records must be signed by both you and your supervisor.

Please upload all relevant documentation to the form to assist the progression panel e.g. Last TAP report, TAP presentation, PDP.

A list of training activities and whether they are Mandatory, Expected or Optional for your programme can be found on the spreadsheet.

Contact: James Hewitson, Research Student Training and Development Officer james.hewitson@york.ac.uk

In order to progress, evidence presented by the student is assessed against criteria, and this must be achieved by certain deadlines. See here for details.

In the Department of Biology, the Progression Panel comprises at least two non-supervisory members of BGSB and is chaired by one of them.

If a progression panel decides that you have met or exceeded the relevant University progression criteria at the first attempt, they will recommend to the Standing Committee on Assessment (SCA), which is responsible for approving progression decisions on behalf of Senate, that you progress into the next year of your programme.

If the progression panel decides that you have not yet met the relevant University progression criteria, you will be permitted a second attempt at progression within three months but the panel may recommend that it would be in your best interests to transfer to an alternative programme or to withdraw from the University. You will need to let your department know as soon as possible if you wish to accept a recommendation for transfer or withdrawal.

If you make a second attempt at progression but do not meet the relevant University progression criteria at this attempt, the progression panel will recommend that you are transferred to an alternative programme or that your enrolment with the University is terminated.

If you make a second attempt at progression and do meet or exceed the relevant University progression criteria at this attempt, the progression panel will recommend that you are progressed but this does not alter the timing of the next formal review of progression (if applicable) or the deadline for submission of the thesis.

See appendix 4 in the policy for research degrees for full details of the procedure to be followed for making a second attempt at progression.

If you have any exceptional circumstances that may impact on a formal review of progress then you should contact your supervisor as soon as possible to discuss your options.