Progression Criteria and Evidence
First Formal Review of Progress
University Criteria
For progression into year 2 of a full-time PhD or MPhil programme (or equivalent stage of a part-time PhD or MPhil programme), a postgraduate researcher must demonstrate that they:
(a) can articulate the direction their research is taking and the research questions it addresses;
(b) have planned in a realistic fashion the second year (or equivalent) of their research, indicating any risks and how these will be mitigated;
(c) have sufficient acquaintance with the relevant field of knowledge to place their research into context;
(d) have sufficient proficiency in the relevant research methods, techniques and theoretical approaches to move their research to the next stage;
(e) have undertaken all required training (including successful completion of the Research Integrity Tutorial);
(f) have considered ethical issues (including data management and authorship) where applicable and have in place an appropriate data management plan.
What to submit
(The lower case letters at the end of each bullet point below relate to the progression criteria listed in the previous section. Note that, in addition to the work you submit, the discussion during the panel meeting and your supervisor’s report will also be used to assess whether you have met the criteria.)
A 2000-word summary of your project. Summary must include: research question(s), briefly contextualised within relevant literature (a, c);
explanation of research method(s), as applicable (a, c, d);
indication of how research has developed since enrolment (a, c, d);
evidence (through your writing) of knowledge of the style and referencing conventions for writing in linguistics (e).
A concise appendix that includes:
evaluation of skills developed during Year 1. Attach a list of training you’ve attended (d, e);
consideration of ethical issues relating to the research, if applicable (f);
a timetable for work during Year 2, including identification of training needs, and of any risks and challenges (b);
a data management plan (f).
Be sure to consult your supervisor about how to prepare your progression submission, and allow enough time for your supervisor to give you feedback on the work before you submit it.
Schedule for 2022-2023: First Formal Progress Review
Full-time students
September 2022 enrolment:
Progression document due noon on Tuesday of Week 9, Summer Term Year 1. Submit via the SkillsForge Progression Preparation form
Progression panel meeting to be scheduled between mid-June and end of July 2023
January 2023 enrolment:
Progression document due noon on Tuesday of Week 3, Autumn Term Year 1. Submit via the SkillsForge Progression Preparation form
Progression panel meeting to be scheduled between mid October and 1 Dec 2023
Enrolment at other time during 2022-23:
To be arranged individually. Progression document due 8-9 months after enrolment
Progression panel meeting to be scheduled 9-12 months after enrolment
Part-time students
To be arranged individually. Progression document due 16-18 months after enrolment.
Progression panel meeting will be scheduled 18-24 months after enrolment.
Second Formal Review of Progress
University Criteria
For progression into year 3 of a full-time PhD programme (or equivalent stage of a part-time PhD programme), a postgraduate researcher must demonstrate that they:
(a) can articulate the direction their research is taking and the research questions it addresses and how this will lead to a substantial original contribution to knowledge or understanding;
(b) have planned in a realistic fashion the third year (or equivalent) of their research, based on the expectation that the project will be completed and the thesis submitted on time, indicating any risks and how these will be mitigated;
(c) have the ability to write up their research in an appropriate academic format for it to be critically assessed by peer reviewers and examiners;
(d) have begun to acquire the wider background knowledge of their research field required for the degree of PhD;
(e) can apply the relevant research methods, techniques and theoretical approaches required to make an original contribution to knowledge or understanding;
(f) have undertaken all required training;
(g) have considered ethical issues (including data management and authorship) where applicable and have in place an appropriate data management plan.
What to submit
(The lower case letters at the end of each bullet point below relate to the progression criteria listed in the previous section. Note that, in addition to the work you submit, the discussion during the panel meeting and your supervisor’s report will also be used to assess whether you have met the criteria.)
A 5000–8000-word report on research conducted, that illustrates the main points of analysis of your data or the viability of the research methods as applied to your own research. “Research conducted” can be interpreted as appropriate to the particular project. For example, it could focus on results of an investigation, or design of an experiment, or establishment of a framework, among other possibilities. Be sure to discuss the focus of your submission with your supervisor. Submission of a section that will eventually go into the thesis is encouraged, but you must add enough contextualisation to the submission for panel members who are not familiar with your project to be able to understand the submission (a, c, d, e).
A timetable for work during Year 3, including identification of training needs, and of any risks and challenges (b)
A brief statement providing evidence of consideration of ethical issues and data management issues relating to the research, if applicable (max. 1 side A4 but shorter if appropriate) (g)
A list of training attended (f).
As for the Year 1 progression point, be sure to consult your supervisor about how to prepare your progression submission, and allow enough time for your supervisor to give you feedback on the work before you submit it.
Schedule for 2022-23: Second Formal Progress Review
Full-time students
September 2022 enrolment:
Progression document due noon on Tuesday of Week 9, Summer Term Year 2. Submit via the SkillsForge Progression Preparation form
Progression panel meeting to be scheduled between 15 June and end of July 2023
January 2023 enrolment:
Progression document due noon on Tuesday of Week 3, Autumn Term Year 2. Submit via the SkillsForge Progression Preparation form
Progression panel meeting around Week 6, Autumn Term (typically early November)
Enrolment at other time during 2022-23:
To be arranged individually. Progression document due 8-9 months after the start of Year 2
Progression panel meeting to be scheduled 9-12 months after enrolment
Part-time students
To be arranged individually. Progression document due 16-18 months after the start of Year 2.
Progression panel meeting will be scheduled 18-24 months after the start of Year 2.
Third Formal Review of Progress
University Criteria
For progression into year 4 of a full-time four-year PhD programme (or equivalent stage of a part-time four-year PhD programme), a postgraduate researcher must demonstrate that they:
(a) have planned in a realistic fashion the final year (or equivalent) of their research, based on the expectation that the project will be completed and the thesis submitted on time, indicating any risks and how these will be mitigated;
(b) have started to write up their research in an appropriate academic format for it to be critically assessed by peer reviewers and examiners;
(c) have acquired much of the wider background knowledge of their research field required for the degree of PhD;
(d) can apply the relevant research methods, techniques and theoretical approaches required to make an original contribution to knowledge or understanding;
(e) have undertaken all required training;
(f) have considered ethical issues (including data management and authorship) where applicable and have in place an appropriate data management plan.