School of Engineering and Informatics
PG Research Student Interim Appraisal
1. Student and supervisor details (student to complete)
Student’s Name
Degree (PhD/MPhil)
Full or part time
Start date / Maximum Date
Funding
Typical hours/week of study
Supervisor’s Name
2. Purpose of the interim review
For students:
 To provide an early realistic appraisal of whether students are on track to complete a
good PhD or MPhil within the allowed time, given their progress to date.
 To reassure students who are making satisfactory progress.
 To give students who are not progressing well sufficient notice so that they have an
opportunity to improve before the annual review.
 To identify specific areas for development to which students should pay particular
attention.
 To encourage students to access addition sources of support, if required.
N.B. The purpose of the appraisal is purely advisory – it will not directly affect your
registration status.
For supervisors:
 To encourage supervisors to reflect on the student’s progress and their aptitude for
PhD/MPhil level research.
 To ensure supervisors communicate clearly to students whether their progress is
satisfactory or not.
 To highlight to the student’s annual review committee any concerns about the
student’s progress, which should be specifically addressed at the annual review.
 To flag to the Director of Doctoral Studies and Research Degrees Committee potential
issues concerning progress.
3. What to do
1. Student completes section 1.
2. Supervisor completes section 4 and 5.
3. Supervisor and student discuss sections 4 and 5 at a supervision meeting.
4. Both complete and sign section 6.
5. Both keep a copy of the form.
6. Submit the form to the School Research and Enterprise Coordinator (Luke Scott).
7. Supervisor should attach a copy of the form to the annual review Form-B.
School of Engineering and Informatics
Interim Appraisal
4. Supervisors Appraisal
Please respond to the questions with a series of Xs to indicate the range of your appraisal. The
response range format allows a degree of uncertainly to be expressed. E.g.:
Very likely
Likely
X
X
Neutral
Unlikely
Very Unlikely
———————————————————
1) Is the student devoting sufficient time to study (5 days/week full-time; 3.5 part-time)?
Very likely
Likely
Neutral
Unlikely
Very Unlikely
Very likely
Likely
Neutral
Unlikely
Very Unlikely
2) Is the student making good progress?
3) Are the student’s written language skills sufficient for writing the thesis?
Very likely
Likely
Neutral
Unlikely
Very Unlikely
Unlikely
Very Unlikely
4) Are the student’s oral language skills sufficient for a viva examination?
Very likely
Likely
Neutral
5) Does the student appreciate the intellectual requirements of PhD/MPhil study?
Very likely
Likely
Neutral
Unlikely
Very Unlikely
6) Does the student currently have the technical skills to successfully complete the research?
Very likely
Likely
Neutral
Unlikely
Very Unlikely
Unlikely
Very Unlikely
7) Is the students research plan and timetable detailed and realistic?
Very likely
Likely
Neutral
8) Will the student submit within the expected 3 to 3.5 years (4-5 years part-time), at the
current rate of progress?
Very likely
Likely
Neutral
Unlikely
Very Unlikely
9) Will the student submit within the 4 year maximum (6 years part-time), at the current rate
of progress?
Very likely
2
Likely
Neutral
Unlikely
Very Unlikely
School of Engineering and Informatics
Interim Appraisal
5. Explanations and recommendations
For any questions with a neutral level response or below, in the table: (1) give the question
number; (2) provide an explicit explanation of the reasons for your appraisal; (3) provide
specific actions that the student and you can take to address the issues. (Resize the table rows
as required.)
Question
Explanation
Recommended actions
6. Meeting and signatures
Date of discussion of the interim
appraisal by supervisor and student
Student (signature)
Supervisor (signature)
Engineering & Informatics Research Degrees Committee, Jan-16, PCHC.
3