First Year

Months stated in the column 'Sept Start' are indicative for full-time students who commence study in September. Students with other start dates should adjust these accordingly.

Each PhD student is on probation during their first year, and progressing to full PhD status depends on the supervisor's evaluation in the first annual report; this report takes into account the panel's evaluation of the student's thesis proposal; there is a section in that report for providing a written record of the feedback the panel gave to the student.  The research institute, and in particular the student's supervisor, is responsible for ensuring that the student submits the thesis proposal and that it is presented and reviewed by the panel within this time frame.  

For part-time students, milestones in first year and subsequently should are delayed according to the extent of part-time studies. For instance, for a student with prescribed period of 60 months rather than the usual full-time prescribed period of 36 months, the thesis proposal is due in month 9*60/36 = 15. An exception is that formal reports from the supervisor are due at 12-month intervals for part-time students, just as for full-time students.

The Graduate School milestones programme is intended for all PGR students, including those registered with the Neuroinformatics Doctoral Training Centre. After completion of the MSc by Research, DTC students are fully admitted to the PhD in Neuroinformatics, subject to a successful PhD proposal.  Upon acceptance onto the PhD programme, DTC students are expected to follow the standard milestones process, supported by local research institutes. All information held on this and other milestones pages is therefore relevant to DTC students. Please also note that the first year Thesis Proposal is not the same as the post-MRes PhD Proposal.