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Formal Reviews of Progress

PhD students have an annual Formal Review of progress (FRP) following their second TAP meeting of each academic year, the timing is shortly after month 9, month 21 (3- and  4-year programmes) and month 33 (4-year programmes only) of your PhD. The purpose of formal reviews of progress is to give students a clear sense of the progress they are making in their programme. Seperate progression review meetings are not required for most students.

Progression (FRP) into your next year of study is assessed by the Biology postgraduate research team based on your second TAP meeting of each year, and comments from your supervisor, with your response, on the Progression preparation form. If progress has been sufficient to meet the progression requirements then no formal progression meeting will occur and you will be progressed to the next stage. If you are required to undertake a progression review meeting, you will be contacted on the next steps in due course.

Skills Forge: Completing a Progression Preparation Form (Students) (PDF , 136kb)

Skills Forge: Completing a Progression Preparation Form (Supervisors) (PDF , 136kb)

 

Timeline

1 week before TAP 2 meeting - Student circulates TAP report to their panel and completes TAP preparation form on Skills Forge.

Within 9 months (usually at the end of June), the student completes the TAP meeting form on Skillsforge. Supervisor and student complete progression preparation form on Skillsforge. Student uploads a Professional Development Plan (use this template), TAP 2 report with future plans/timeline and TAP 2 presentation onto the progression preparation form.

1 month after TAP 2 - Biology FRP Panel reviews student's progress as evidenced by TAP meeting and progression preparation form.

If PIPs or CASE placements clash with these dates, permission must be sought from the graduate office for extensions. Please complete Request to delay a TAP Meeting 2024/25

These dates apply to students who begin their studies at the beginning of the academic year (September/October). Late starters and students who have taken a break in their studies can see their deadlines on Skillsforge. 

Year 1 (into 2) Progression Criteria

Progression Criteria

Using the evidence provided through the written report with future plans/timeline, prepared for TAP2, the TAP2 form and the FRP preparation form together with the PDP, a student must demonstrate that they: 

  • Can articulate the direction their research is taking and the research questions it addresses
  • Have planned in a realistic fashion the second year (or equivalent) of their research, indicating any risks and how these will be mitigated
  • Have sufficient acquaintance with the relevant field of knowledge to place their research into context
  • Have sufficient proficiency in the relevant research methods, techniques and theoretical approaches to move their research to the next stage
  • Have undertaken all required training
  • Have considered ethical issues (including data management and authorship) where applicable

Year 2 (in 3) Progression

Progression Criteria

Using the evidence provided through the written report with future plans/timeline, prepared for TAP2, the TAP2 form and the FRP preparation form together with the PDP, a student must demonstrate that they: 

  • 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;
  • 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
  • Have the ability to write up their research in an appropriate academic format for it to be critically assessed by peer reviewers and examiners
  • Have begun to acquire the wider background knowledge of their research field required for the degree of PhD
  • Can apply the relevant research methods, techniques and theoretical approaches required to make an original contribution to knowledge or understanding
  • Have undertaken all required training
  • Have considered ethical issues (including data management and authorship) where applicable.

Year 3 (in 4) Progression

Please note this only applies to students on 4 year programmes. Students in entering their continuation year do not need to have a third formal review of progress.

Progression Criteria

Using the evidence provided through the written report with future plans/timeline, prepared for TAP2, the TAP2 form and the FRP preparation form together with the PDP, a student must demonstrate that they: 

  • 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
  • Have started to write up their research in an appropriate academic format for it to be critically assessed by peer reviewers and examiners
  • Have acquired much of the wider background knowledge of their research field required for the degree of PhD
  • Can apply the relevant research methods, techniques and theoretical approaches required to make an original contribution to knowledge or understanding
  • Have undertaken all required training
  • Have considered ethical issues (including data management and authorship) where applicable.