Project Approval Form
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience
Student Details
Name of Student:
Department:
Proposed Date of Registration:
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time (please delete as appropriate)
Research Degree Programme: MPhil/PhD or MD(Res) (please delete as appropriate)
This form is designed to ensure that students are admitted to a research degree in accordance with College policy on good practice, as
defined by the College's Regulations Governing Students and the Core Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Degrees. It responds
to the requirements of the QAA Code, HEFCE, the Research Councils and other funding providers. It ensures that (a) students are
appropriately selected, and (b) adequate arrangements are in place to support the student and the research project.
This form must be completed and approved before an applicant for a MPhil/PhD or MD(Res) degree is given a formal offer by the Faculty
and before the student commences work on their project, whether full or part-time. If an informal offer is made to an applicant (for
example, after interview) it must be made clear that it will only be confirmed after approval is obtained within the School through
completion of this form.
In most circumstances the form should be completed by the supervisor(s), with an opportunity for the applicant to contribute to the final
version. In certain circumstances, it may be more appropriate for the applicant to lead on the completion of the form (i.e. where the
research is the idea of the applicant), but the supervisor(s) must sign off the form. It is important for the reviewer to understand the input
that the candidate has had into the form.
Guidance on the application process
1. Registration is held 3 times per academic year; October, February and June.
2. PhD programmes are either 3 or 4 years full-time and 6 years part-time. Part-time students are permitted to submit their thesis
early i.e. before six years of study, but not before four years. Part-time students who plan to submit early should follow the fulltime study route in relation to submission of upgrade at nine months and number of supervisory meetings per year.
3. MD(Res) programmes are 2 years full-time and 4 years part-time.
4. People employed full-time, including research contract workers, can only register as part-time students. Students registering
part-time must be able to devote at least 50% of a normal working week to their research degree.
5. All applicants must also submit an online application via my Application - https://apply.kcl.ac.uk/
6. The first supervisor must be a member of KCL academic staff, or staff with an appropriate honorary contract with KCL, for the
duration of the student’s period of study. Both supervisors should normally have obtained a doctorate, and have established
research experience. The first supervisor must have a successful record of supervising PhD students either at KCL or elsewhere.
All first supervisors must have attended the IOPPN/KCL supervisory training session during the past few years. All new
supervisors must undertake the training course organised by Graduate School.
7. All applicants must be interviewed by an appropriate panel consisting of the Admissions Tutor or a member of the PhD SubCommittee, which is arranged by the department.
Once complete, this form must be submitted to the Education Support Team at the IoPPN by the
application deadline. More information can be found on the IoPPN ‘How to Apply’ webpages
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/study/prospective-students/programmes-ofstudy/pgr/ApplicationProcess/howtoapply.aspx
1. Project Details and Peer Review
Title of project:
Has this project been subject to full external peer review in the form of a grant
application or studentship award?
Yes
No
If ‘yes’ please give details below or attach supporting paperwork. The remainder of this form must be still be completed in full
and will be subject to independent internal review.
Aim of the investigation (up to 150 words)
State primary research question and where appropriate the primary hypotheses being tested
Essential background (up to 500 words including key references)
Describe background to the work including that carried out in the supervisors own team and previous work. [This information will be used by the
reviewers to understand the context of the proposed study.]
Proposed plan of work (up to 1000 words)
Please include key aspects of study design, key research methods (including statistical methods and appropriate power calculations for the
primary hypotheses. Ensure that it is clear how the design and methods will address the study aims.
Resources
What project-specific resources does the study need (e.g. imaging time, access to specialist equipment, access to specific clinical samples) and
how will these be provided?
Does the project require access to NHS patients?
Yes
No
If ‘Yes’ supervisor(s) should have discussed the project with appropriate individuals in those services. Studies involving patients from SLAM
or other KHP CAGs, should have the support in principle from a suitable member of the CAG’s Research Committee (NB such projects will
require formal approval by that Committee at a later stage)
The project has been discussed and is supported in principle by the relevant clinical
service(s)/CAG(s) 4
Yes
No
N/A
Name of relevant SLaM/KHP CAG(s) consulted
Training
Are there any specialist training needs? If so, how will these be met?
Novelty
How is this study novel and therefore appropriate for a PhD?
Distinctiveness
If it is part of a larger programme of research, in what way will the project provide a discrete and distinctive area of study for the student? If not
applicable, please state why.
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Intellectual contribution
What has been the contribution of the student to planning the proposed study (including details of the student’s contribution to completing this
form)? What opportunities will there be for the student to make an independent intellectual contribution?
Statutory Issues
Does project involve the following?
Delete one
If yes, complete details below, deleting as necessary
Human subjects
Yes
No Yes/No
Ethical Committee Protocol #:
Storage of patient data on a computer
Yes
No Yes/No
Will patients’ details be anonymised?
/NoYes No N/A
Access to confidential data
Yes
No Yes/No
Is computer password protected?
/NoYes No N/A
Use of radioisotopes/radiation source
Yes
Is project registered with Radiation Protection
No Yes/No
Advisor?
Yes
No
Genetically manipulated organisms
Yes
No Yes/No
Has appropriate HSE approval been obtained?
Yes No N/A
Dangerous pathogens
Yes
No Yes/No
Have appropriate arrangements been made?
Yes No N/A
Experimental animals*
*please note which animals below
Yes No N/A
Home Office Licences in place?
Yes/No
NoYes No N/A
If ethical or other statutory approvals are required for the project but are not currently in place, please explain how and when these will be obtained, and who
will take responsibility to ensure all approval and permissions are obtained?
*Animals:
Has a full COSHH risk assessment been carried out?
Yes
No
If No, who will be responsible for ensuring a risk assessment is conducted before the project commences?
Is a DBS (formally CRB) certificate required?
Yes
No
If yes, who will be responsible for ensuring that this carried out before the project commences?
Will the student carry out off campus study5
Yes
No
If yes, please provide details of any project work that will be conducted overseas. The Off-Campus Study form should be completed for Tier 4
students if more than one month is spent overseas, and details of institution, address, length of placement, reasons for off campus study, and
supervisory arrangements should be provided.
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2.
Funding
Research costs
What are the projected costs of the study (excluding student fees and any stipend?)? Does the financial support available cover the full costs of
the study? If not, how is the study to be funded?
If applicable*, please give the total amount of bench fees per annum? £___________
Which account should the bench fees be paid into? Account Code___________________
*Please only state bench fees if they are to be invoiced separately and are not covered by a grant or studentship
Origin of financial support to student and the project (please tick as appropriate)
Tuition fees
Living costs (stipend)
Research
Costs/Bench Fees
Travel/Training/Misc
Research Council Grant
Graduate School Funding
Scheme
Overseas Government
UK Government
Charity
Industry
Self/family *
Departmental/ School
studentship
Other (please specify)
Full Name of Sponsor?
Duration of funding? (e.g. 1/10/13- 30/9/16)
Cost of research (bench fees)
please note amount
Bench Fees4: Please indicate band of bench fee and account code
Band
Amount
Account Code:
 Band 1
Up to £2000
 Band 2
£2000 - £4000
 Band 3
£4000 - £7000
 Band 4
£7000 - £10,000
For Band 5 fees, please attach the budget sheet from your grant application.
 Band 5
>£10,000
Account Code
*Self-funded students
Please provide information on how the student will fund their studies. This should include information relating to cost of living expenses, tuition
fees and other bench fees or research costs (see http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/pg/funding/fees.aspx for more information on costs of living in
London)
Please confirm if you have discussed the above with Departmental Business Manager :
YES
NO
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Does the applicant have an employment contract with the IOPPN?
Yes
If yes, please state the contract end date.
No
A) Projects funded by Research Council Doctoral Training Grants ONLY
Please note this information will also be used by the Graduate School for the electronic submission of Doctoral Training Grants
Please state the Research Council(s) funding this student:
Type of studentship:
Standard DTA / CASE / DHPA / Capacity Building / MRC Unit DTA / Quota / other (please state)*
For grants paid through School please give departmental account to pay tuition fees.
Account Code___________________________
Does the grant pay a stipend? (If applicable please give details of amount per annum and duration)
£____________
Classification
For MRC studentships
Please select the subject board most relevant to the research project:





For BBSRC studentships
please select the subject area most relevant to the research project:







Health Services & Public Health Research Board
Infections & Immunity Board
Molecular & Cellular Medicine Board
Neurosciences & Mental Health Board
Physiological Systems & Clinical Sciences Board
Agri-food
Animal Sciences
Biochemistry & Cell Biology
Biomolecular Sciences
Engineering & Biological Systems
Genes & Developmental Biology
Plant & Microbial Sciences
Collaboration (if applicable, normally CASE studentships)
Name & address of collaborating organisation(s):
[If available, please provide a copy of the application form to the Research Council]
Name & address and contact details of industrial supervisor:
Details of Collaborating Organisation Contribution (total amount and use of funding)
£__________________
Period spent on Industrial Premises (months):
B) Projects funded by all other grants
Please detail type (studentship, fellowship, project grant, or specify other) and source of grant
For grants paid through School please give departmental account to pay tuition fees.
Account Code______________________________
Does the grant pay a stipend? (If applicable please give details of amount per annum and duration)
£_____________
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3. Supervisors
First Supervisor (NB existing IOPPN research supervisors only need to provide full name & contract expiry)
Full Name (including title):
Date of Expiry of Contract
Degree Qualifications
Academic Position (Lecturer, Senior Lecturer etc)
Number of research degree students previously supervised
MPhil/PhD
MD
Other (e.g. DClinPsych)
Number of above who withdrew or did not complete
MPhil/PhD
MD
Other (e.g. DClinPsych)
Number of FT research degree students currently supervised
MPhil/PhD
MD
Other (e.g. DClinPsych)
Research Degree Supervisory course(s) attended; Course name:
Date:
Hosted by:
Department:
Telephone Number
Email address
Room, Building and Campus
Second Supervisor (NB existing IOPPN research supervisors only need to provide full name & contract expiry)
Full Name:
Date of Expiry of Contract
Degree Qualifications
Academic Position (Lecturer, Senior Lecturer etc)
Number of research degree students previously supervised
MPhil/PhD
MD
Other (e.g. DClinPsych)
Number of above who withdrew or did not complete
MPhil/PhD
MD
Other (e.g. DClinPsych)
Number of FT research degree students currently supervised
MPhil/PhD
MD
Other (e.g. DClinPsych)
Research Degree Supervisory courses attended; Course Name:
Date:
Hosted by:
Department:
Telephone Number
Email address
Room, Building and Campus
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4.
Project Agreement and Approval
We certify that the information given above is accurate. We understand that the research for a PhD/MD(Res) and the preparation of the thesis
must be completed in the period prescribed for this particular degree programme. This is either 3 or 4 years full time, and 6 years part-time for
PhD students. For MD(Res) programmes, this is 2 years full time and 4 years part-time.
Please sign below (NB Electronic signatures for supervisors are acceptable)
First Supervisor
Print__________________________________________
Signed_________________________________________
Date_______________________________
Second Supervisor
Print_____________________________________________
Signed_________________________________________
Date__________________________________
Student:
I have read the project definition and understand that the research for a PhD and the preparation of the thesis must be completed in the
period prescribed for this particular degree programme.
Print__________________________________
Signed_________________________________________
Date__________________________________
Head of Department and/or Business Manager
I approve the application and admission of this student. Sufficient resources are available to enable the student to complete the project
satisfactorily.
Print__________________________________
Signed_________________________________________
Date__________________________________
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Interview
All applicants must be interviewed by an appropriate panel consisting of the Admissions Tutor or a member of the PhD Sub-Committee,
which is arranged by the department.
Has the applicant been interviewed for this position?
YES
NO
Please note the date when the interview took place: __________________________________
Please list the panel members: ____________________________________________________
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Confirmation by Chair of the relevant MPhil/PhD sub-committee or PhD Co-ordinator
Tick all for
application to
be approved
I confirm that:
I have personally examined the project and/or sought comments/review from a colleague with knowledge of the
area
The review concluded that the project is of scientific value, that the proposed design and power are adequate, and
that there are no obvious ethical concerns
The project detailed above is suitable for MPhil/PhD or MD(res) study and has the potential to lead to the award
Has the admission of this candidate been carried out to your satisfaction (i.e. has the Admissions Tutor been
involved in the interview, and if not is this adequate). If candidate is self funded, are you satisfied that this has
been discussed at interview to ensure candidate can fund themselves for duration of studies?
The timetable given is realistic and would feasibly lead to the submission of a thesis within 3 years (full time
students) or 6 years (part time students). (MD res is 2 years full-time and 4 years part-time.)
Where applicable, periods of off-campus study and plans for early submission are fully justified
The supervisors identified above are eligible to serve in their respective roles
Chair of research sub-committee:
Print__________________________________
Signed_________________________________________
Date__________________________________
Confirmation by checks by Education Support Team
The following checks have been made:
Tick all for
application to
be approved
Are all parts of the form complete (where possible to assess)?
Eligibility of all supervisors (attended training/refresher training, supervised student through to completion,
current number of students)
Is information on ethics and/or home office licence adequate?
Is tuition fee funding information adequate? Is other funding information clear?
DBS/Occupational Health needed?
Has an interview of the student taken place?
Note any issues to be considered by Chair of Sub-committee
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