Assessment Process

The Graduate School is responsible for ensuring that the Student Record System is amended to indicate that a research student's progress is either "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory". The first and second year assessments are used to inform these decisions.

Progress Monitoring Procedures - First & Second Year Assessments

Students download and complete Part 1 of the relevant assessment form (first year, second year) and pass this (with appropriate supporting documentation) to the relevant School/Discipline authority. Parts 2 and 3 of the forms are completed as the assessment proceeds. A full set of signatures should be obtained and the form returned to the Graduate School. Incomplete forms will be returned.

Completed forms are reviewed by a College Postgraduate Officer, and the Graduate School then advises the University Registry of any changes to student registration (e.g. MSc/MRes to PhD).

What Happens When Things Go Wrong?

It is expected that, before a student's progress is reported as unsatisfactory, the lead supervisor should in the first instance discuss with the student the reasons for making such a judgement, and should make it clear to the student, in writing, the grounds for the decision and identify the steps to be taken during the next six months to prevent a second consecutive unsatisfactory progress report.

Where the "unsatisfactory" box is flagged the Heads of School (or Head of Graduate School in cases where supervisors are also the Head of School) meets with the research student and their supervisors. Research students should be advised when they are required to meet with their Head of School. After the meeting the Head of School should complete and sign the Unsatisfactory Research Student Progress form, ask the student to sign the form, and send a copy to the student, Graduate School and Registry.