Progression Procedure

In a 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.

Your department determines what evidence (oral and/or written) its PhD and MPhil students should provide to demonstrate that they have met the relevant University progression criteria (see below for details). The evidence you provide is considered alongside a supervisor’s report on your progress and agreed TAP reports.

The Progress Review meeting normally occurs in the absence of the student; however in cases where the panel does not find sufficient evidence to progress a student initially, a meeting between you and your panel will be convened to consider your evidence and the supervisor’s report at a progress review meeting. 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. The Progress Review meeting between you and your panel is are expected to take place face-to-face but may occur by Videoconferencing if the nature of your research makes it impossible to be in York during the Progress Review period.

You will normally be expected to deliver a short presentation at your Progress Review meeting.

NB: The Progress Review Meeting must take place in the appropriate time period. You are strongly advised to organise your TAP meeting on time to facilitate this. You must complete the appropriate pre-meeting form on SkillsForge with all relevant evidence uploaded; these meeting records must be signed by both you and your progression panel.

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 met the relevant University progression criteria at the first attempt, 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, and not later than 4 weeks after the recommendation, if you wish to ignore a recommendation for transfer or withdrawal.

The progression panel will provide you with clear written feedback about why the progression criteria were not met and its reasons for recommending a second attempt, transfer or withdrawal. The progression panel will specify, in broad terms, what the student would need to do to meet the relevant University progression criteria at the second attempt.

If you make a second attempt at progression and do meet or exceed the relevant University progression criteria at the second 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.