Transfer Stage - Doctoral Programmes
A range of support is available to those nearing the transfer stage of their research degree. This section provides summary key information and links to workshop provision to support you in efficiently and effectively completing the transfer stage of your Doctoral programme. You should also read the Research Student Handbook for further details.
The transfer process is in general common for all doctoral programmes:
- ‘All doctoral students are initially registered as either provisional doctoral students or as postgraduate research students. All doctoral students are required to undertake a transfer assessment, within the relevant time scale, for ‘transfer’ to full degree registration.’ (Research Student Handbook 2010/11 Page 12)
- ‘The assessment at the transfer stage is intended to identify whether the individual student and the research project have the potential for research at a doctoral level and also to ensure that the student has made satisfactory progress with the agreed training plan. (Research Student Handbook 2010/11 Page 12)
- ‘The decision to transfer is based on the submission of appropriate material for assessment, i.e. a report.’ (Research Student Handbook 2010/11 Page 28)
- All students must be interviewed by an Assessment Panel and this should take the form of a viva voce examination. (Research Student Handbook 2010/11 Page 29)
- ‘…assessment panels [ ] must comprise a minimum of two individuals and include at least one independent individual who has not been involved in the supervisory support arrangements for the student. These arrangements, however, do not preclude a member of the supervisory team from serving as a member of the assessment Panel.’ (Research Student Handbook 2010/11 Page 77)
- ‘Full-time Postgraduate Research, Provisional PhD and Provisional DDSc candidates should complete their transfer within the first 12 months of their period of study’. (Research Student Handbook 2010/11 Page 29. Also see this handbook section for information on other research degree programmes)
- ‘Part-time Postgraduate Research, Provisional PhD and Provisional DDSc candidates should complete their transfer within the first 24 months of their period of study.’ (Research Student Handbook 2010/11 Page 29. Also see this handbook section for information on other research degree programmes)
However, the requirements for the content of a transfer report vary by Faculty and School and also the timings for preparing the report (although the process must still be completed to the timescales indicated above).
Further information on transfer can be found in your Faculty Protocol. Your School may also have further information on, for example, the expected content of your transfer report. In the first instance your supervisor will be able to advise you about the specifics of your transfer. Postgraduate secretaries may also be able to provide School specific information (A list of all Post Graduate Research Secretaries is available on the Research Student Administration website in the file ‘List of PGRTs 2010/11’)
Workshops
The workshop ‘Preparing for Your Transfer’ offers support and advice on the transfer process. Workshops are run on a Faculty specific basis. You should look to book on the workshop appropriate for your Faculty in the first instance. However, if the Faculty specific date is unsuitable for you there are also a number of ‘Preparing for Your Transfer’ workshops offered for doctoral researchers from any Faculty. The content of the workshop is predominantly the same but the participants will be from a mixture of Faculties.
Click here to book online (opens in a new window)