Problems with progress

Postgraduate research study is challenging and sometimes students may experience problems making progress. To help support students, it is important for supervisors and students to be open about any difficulties they foresee with successful completion. There are various options available to support students experiencing problems with progress and University student support services may be able to help with non-academic problems.

A supervisor who thinks that progress has been consistently unsatisfactory should discuss the problem with the student and follow this up with a written record of the discussion for the student. Unsatisfactory progress will also be noted in annual reports and flagged for remedial action.

If a student is having difficulties making progress with their programme of study, this should be identified during the annual progression review. If the annual progression review panel identifies that a student is not making satisfactory progress, then the Postgraduate Director or Head of Graduate School, in consultation with the supervisors may recommend one of the following:

• Deferment of a decision (part-time students’ first year review only).
• That a further (repeat) review takes place within three months.
• Registration for a different postgraduate research or taught degree.
• Exclusion from study (when there are no other practical options).

Supervisors will provide students with a written explanation of their assessment in these cases.

If the supervisors and Director are recommending exclusion, the College will consider the recommendations in line with the University’s Procedure for Withdrawal and Exclusion from Study.

Postgraduate Assessment Regulations for Research Degrees

Withdrawal and Exclusion from Studies Procedure