Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation
The ‘Student Journey’ for Graduate Students
This documents how we expect students to progress from joining the department to being
awarded a higher degree (PhD or MD). Students registering for an MPhil will follow a similar
track, modified for their requirements. Meetings and deadlines for students registered parttime should be revised to allow twice as long between various stages.
1. Entry and registration
Before you join us, an outline of your project will have been approved by the Departmental
Graduate Studies Committee (DGSC). You will have made a formal application to the
University and received an unconditional offer. When you arrive you will have to register
with the university and at that point you will be issued with your library card and can begin
work. Initially you will be registered as an Advanced Postgraduate (APG). The DGSC will
have appointed your Progress Review Panel (PRP). It is YOUR responsibility to ensure you
meet up with your PRP at the appointed times.
2. Induction
If you join us in October there is a structured induction programme organised by the
Faculty. Naturally, your supervisor will help you get established with your research and will
be your main source of support. Whenever you join, you should make sure you meet up with
one of the 2 postgraduate tutors (Dr Caroline Beardsmore or Dr Roger James) who will make
sure you are aware of the requirements we place on our students and the support that is
available to you. Please make sure you meet up with a postgraduate tutor within 2 weeks of
registration. The postgraduate tutor will ensure that you are familiar with the need to
maintain your portfolio, recording (amongst other things) your training, and attendance at
meetings and seminars.
3. First meeting with Progress Review Panel (PRP).
You should arrange to meet up with your PRP within a month of starting, to discuss any
training you might require and what you will be doing in the early stages of your work.
4. First report, due at 4 months
You should complete a written report for your PRP (form available). The main part of this is
the background to your project. It should be sent to your PRP.
5. Second meeting with PRP.
You should meet your PRP at 5 months to discuss your report and your progress. The PRP
will report to the DGSC, who will take appropriate action if early problems are flagged up.
6. Annual seminar.
You are expected to give an annual seminar which (if you start in October) would generally
be held after approximately 7 months.
7. Preparation for APG transfer, at 10 months.
You should complete an expanded written report for your PRP (form available), detailing
progress, training etc. This will be between 8,000 and 10,000 words.
8. Third meeting with PRP.
You should arrange to meet with your PRP at 11 months to examine your progress and your
report. The PRP will want to test the level of your understanding of your topic and the work
you have been doing, to look at what opportunities you have taken for training and
broadening your knowledge, and how you see your work developing in future. They will
need to submit a report on you to the DGSC.
9. APG transfer
The transfer from APG to PhD or MD is not automatic. It is an important milestone and you
will need to demonstrate to your PRP that you have fulfilled the requirements and have the
ability and depth of understanding to proceed. The DGSC will consider the report of the
PRP. If this is satisfactory you will be recommended for upgrade to registration for MD or
PhD. If your progress is not satisfactory the DGSC may recommend that you transfer to an
MPhil, or they may recommend termination of your registration. (Under these
circumstances you can appeal through the university channels as indicated in the
Postgraduate Regulations). If there are reservations about your progress you may be asked
to resubmit your report within a month and have a further meeting with your PRP, before a
final decision is made.
The report you have prepared in advance of the APG transfer should be submitted to the
Graduate Office, who require an annual report from all students. The report from the PRP
will form the basis of the report that the department is asked to submit on each student.
10. Your second year
You will be asked to give your next seminar in the second half of your second year of
registration. This will be attended by your PRP who will give you feedback. Towards the
end of our second year you will be expected to provide a substantial report for your PRP
(form provided) and again you will meet with your PRP for some in-depth discussion of your
progress and research work. At this stage you would be expected to have a substantial
amount of data and the discussion will focus on your results and interpretation of them.
The PRP will send a report to the DGSC and a copy will be kept on file. If progress is
satisfactory the DGSC will recommend registration for your third year. If progress is
unsatisfactory the DGSC will consider what action may be appropriate. The report you
prepared should be submitted to the Graduate Office.
11. Your third year
Final-year seminars will usually take place during the summer months as part of the
Departmental seminar programme. Your third year will usually be busy as you complete
your laboratory work and begin to focus on completion. Some students will be aiming to
complete their writing-up during this time as well. You will submit a report to your PRP
approximately 34 months after initial registration, which will include details of how you
plan to complete your higher degree and a timetable for this. The PRP will send a report to
the DGSC. Suggestions for your examiners will be made. Please note that you will need to
send in an ‘Intention to Submit’ form to the Graduate Office three months before you
submit your thesis.
12. Your final year
If you are having a fourth year for writing-up you can be registered as a ‘writing-up’
student. The fees for this are modest but there are limitations on inter-library loans and
you must not be working in the laboratory as insurance is not in place. If you have a
‘writing-up’ year the graduate school will request a report from you and your supervisor
after 6 months and again after 9 months.