Second Year Assessment

Introduction

The second year is a particularly important phase of the PhD program. Students may be nearing the end of their initial exploratory work, or moving onto a more challenging project.

Meeting with your Supervisor

To ensure students do not lose their way, we recommend that Supervisors continue to meet with students at least once per week for the first six months of their 2nd year.

Making Progress

Should progress falter, Supervisors and students should make every conceivable effort to identify any barriers to progress so that a satisfactory solution to any problems that have arisen can be found. In exceptional circumstances, Supervisors and students should call a meeting of the Thesis Committee to discuss the students options. The Thesis Committee reserves the right to, at any time, advise students that their research program is failing.

If a problem has been identified and appropriate steps can not be taken to remedy the situation, Thesis Committee may advise the student to discontinue their studies.

In such circumstances Thesis Committee will inform the Senior Postgraduate Tutor. Students who fail to progress during their second year will normally be offered the opportunity to submit their work as a research-led Masters (MPhil)

Second Year Requirements

The formal requirements for the second year program are as follows :

• Attend postgraduate courses, totalling 30 credits, recorded using the templates provided
• Record any conferences, meetings etc attended, using the templates provided
• Submit one research chapter of their thesis
• Submit a detailed thesis outline complete with timetable for submissions
• Complete a mock viva examination

Thesis Chapter and Outline Submission Deadline is in your calendar

Students should consult their Supervisors concerning the content of their thesis chapter.

Second Year Calendars

Full Time Students

If you started study in October 2011

If you started study in January 2012

Part Time Students

If you started study in October 2010

If you started study in January 2011