Engagement and Progression

In addition to being a formal requirement of a postgraduate researcher, regular engagement and on-track progression is essential for ensuring that appropriate pastoral and academic support is in place to help achieve academic goals, develop necessary skills, and prepare effectively for future careers.

Engagement Expectations

All postgraduate researchers are expected to demonstrate reasonable engagement with their research studies. This helps to ensure milestones are met, builds a constructive relationship with supervisors and supports the PGR to be an active part of the research community. A lack of engagement may signal challenges that the postgraduate researcher is experiencing ,requiring additional support. Below are some useful links to help you navigate this.

Milestones and Timelines

All postgraduate researchers are admitted on a programme with a set duration of supervised study. A thesis must be submitted by the end of the period of supervised study.

Postgraduate milestones and timelines have been established for the degrees of MSc (Research), MPhil, and PhD to provide an understanding and framework of when assessments would normally occur.

Useful Links

PGR Timelines (Structured Management Framework)

Assessing Progress

All postgraduate researchers must undertake bi-annual assessments of development and progress (General Regulation 27) which consists of an Annual Progression Exercise to assess academic progress and confirm progression the next academic year and a Researcher Development Audit to identify skills, knowledge and development needs.

In addition to assessing the postgraduate researcher's ability, the annual progression exercise provides a platform for postgraduate researchers and supervisors to raise academic and pastoral concerns, feedback on the supervisory relationship, monitor engagement and act as an early intervention to prevent issues.

If revisions or additional inclusive adjustments are required for the assessment, PGRs should contact Student Advice and Support as early as possible to discuss.

Regulations for Research Degrees
Code of Practice (Section 8)
Researcher Development Audit [link to page
PGR Roadmap [link]