Preparing for MPhil-PhD upgrade A practice run for the PhD thesis examination and viva ?

UPGRADE PANEL REPORT Available at:

Supervisor’s report Plus a brief outlining student progress so far and mentioning any circumstances that may have affected progress.

Summary of Upgrade outcome… …. SECTION A: Summary of Upgrade Outcome The Upgrade Panel confirms that it has reviewed the Upgrade Reports submitted by the student and by the Principal Supervisor, and has also examined the student orally. The Upgrade Panel further confirms that it has satisfied itself that the student: (Please check the box against the following criteria for Upgrade:) i)Is committed to pursuing research at UCL leading to the PhD degree. ii)Has achieved satisfactory progress in the work, so far. iii)Has demonstrated sufficient awareness of the context of the work and completed such tasks as a review of the relevant literature and a bibliography. iv)Has demonstrated the ability to formulate a viable hypothesis or research question that could be completed within the normal time frame of the PhD programme. v)Has achieved satisfactory technical and generic skills development (students funded by funding bodies, such as the Research Councils, must meet the specific requirements stipulated by those bodies). vi)Has formulated a viable plan for the work. vii)Has considered the research ethics dimensions of the project and applied for ethics approval from the relevant Research Ethics Committee if appropriate. viii)Has completed the appropriate sections of the Research Student Log. ix)Has demonstrated English Language proficiency, both written and spoken. x)Meets any other Department or Faculty criteria. Please comment in Section B below, and provide feedback if you are not satisfied in any of the above. The Upgrade Panel confirm that they have determined ONE of the following: Next slide………

Summary of Upgrade outcome… …. SECTION A: Summary of Upgrade Outcome Please comment in Section B below, and provide feedback if you are not satisfied in any of the above. The Upgrade Panel confirm that they have determined ONE of the following: Upgrade – 1 st Attempt 1.The Student has met the criteria for the Upgrade and is recommended for upgrade to PhD status: 2.The Student has NOT met the criteria for the Upgrade and should be referred to a specific date, with specific criteria to meet, for a second attempt with the need for a second viva. 3.The Student has NOT met the criteria for the Upgrade and should be referred to a specific date, with specific criteria to meet, for a second attempt WITHOUT the need for a second viva. Upgrade – 2 nd Attempt (if applicable) 1.The Student has met the criteria for the Upgrade and is recommended for upgrade to PhD status: 2.The Student has NOT met the criteria for the Upgrade and should remain registered for the MPhil:

PhD Examinatio n report Section A: Summary of Examination Result The examiners confirm that they have examined the thesis submitted by the candidate and have also examined the candidate orally on the subject of the thesis and on subjects relevant to the thesis. The examiners confirm that they have satisfied themselves that the candidate, as evidenced by the thesis and the Viva, can communicate with the scholarly community about their areas of expertise. The examiners report that they have satisfied themselves that the thesis is: Please check the box against the relevant items i)is genuinely the work of the candidate ii)forms a distinct and significant contribution to knowledge of the subject iii) affords evidence of originality: a) by the discovery of new facts and/or b) by the exercise of independent critical power iv)is an integrated whole and presents a coherent argument v)gives a critical assessment of the relevant literature vi)gives the method of research and its findings vii)gives discussion of those findings and how they advance the study of the subject viii)demonstrates deep and synoptic understanding of the field of study, including objectivity, autonomy and the capacity for judgement in a complex situation ix)is satisfactory as regards literary presentation x)includes a satisfactory bibliography and references xi)demonstrates research skills relevant to the thesis xii)is of a standard to merit publication in whole, in part or in revised form Please comment in Section B below and provide feedback if you are not satisfied in any of the above. Please continue overleaf….