Confirmation Review
The Confirmation Review process is part of the University's move to direct entry to PhD (and other doctoral-level programmes, e.g. EngD, MD, etc). From 01 August 2012 onwards, all postgraduate research students intending to study at doctoral level will be admitted onto a doctoral level programme. Their status in the 1st year of the programme will be considered probationary and they will be required to pass a Confirmation Review in order to be permitted to continue studying at doctoral level beyond their first year. This replaces the need for students to upgrade from MPhil to PhD.
Timing of the Confirmation Review
Full-time students should undergo Confirmation Review by the end of their first year of study. If a student fails the first attempt, they will be permitted to undertake a second attempt no later than 18 months from the start of their registration. For part-time students these deadlines are pro-rata. It is important that the Confirmation Review takes place within the recommended timeframe and that students are not permitted to remain registered for doctoral level studies indefinitely without having passed a Confirmation Review.
Confirmation Review Requirements
Students will be required to submit a significant piece of written work and undergo an oral examination. Departments may set their own guidelines on exactly what they require by way of written work, within the University’s overall framework, as it is recognised that different disciplines may have different requirements. Faculties may wish to set their own faculty-level guidance on requirements. More detailed information on the precise requirements for Confirmation Review will be provided by departments at induction and in departmental handbooks and web sites.
Departments will also specify the precise composition of Confirmation Review panels which will assess students, but will need to bear in mind that the process must be fair and rigorous and the decision to confirm a student’s doctoral status should be taken independently of the student’s supervisor.
Outcomes of the Confirmation Review Process
Students who pass the Confirmation Review will have their doctoral status confirmed, i.e. they will be permitted to remain on the doctoral level degree for which they originally registered. This will be noted on their student record.
If a student fails the Confirmation Review at the first attempt they may be permitted to undergo a second attempt. If a student fails the second attempt at Confirmation Review, they will no longer be permitted to remain on the doctoral level degree and will automatically be transferred to the degree of MPhil. They will normally be permitted to remain on the degree of MPhil and will submit a thesis for that degree. Their time limit for submission of an MPhil thesis will be reduced accordingly, where required. In the case of overseas students studying in the UK on a Tier 4 General Student Visa, any reduction in time limit or change in degree from that intended at the outset of the student’s study will need to be reported promptly to the UKBA.
Where a student does not wish to study for a MPhil, they may choose to withdraw altogether from the University. A change of candidature form should be completed and returned to the Research Degree Support Team as soon as possible.
A form is available from this web page for departments to notify the Research Degree Support Team of the outcomes of the Confirmation Review. The outcomes of any Confirmation Review will require approval at Faculty level.