School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Interim review

An Interim Review will normally be required where the Director of Doctoral Studies has concluded that a researcher has not shown sufficient progress at their last Progression Review.

The Interim Review is conducted by your main supervisor, not the reviewers who conduct your main Progression reviews.

The purpose of an Interim Review

  • To help a Doctoral Researcher keep "on track" to complete their PhD or MPhil to a high standard within the allotted time.
  • To assess their progress using research milestones or targets set at the earlier Progression Review, and to agree on future targets.
  • To provide constructive feedback so that adequate changes can be made ahead of the next Progression Review.
  • To identify specific areas for development that a Doctoral Researcher may need to monitor closely and possibly act upon.
  • Where applicable, to encourage the Doctoral Researcher to access additional available resources, both academic or otherwise.

Your Interim Review

If the Director of Doctoral studies has decided you should have an Interim Review following your Progression Review, you will be informed of this by the School office.

A deadline date for completion of the Interim Review will be sent to you by the School Office, usually by a separate email.

The conduct of an Interim Review

The Doctoral Researcher is responsible for arranging the Interim Review meeting date and location, for providing any documents required in advance of the meeting, and for completing the Review by the deadline date set by the Director.

The Researcher and Supervisor(s) should not use the Researcher's Box folder for documents as this area is confidential and not accessible to supervisors.

The Interim Review will be conducted by the doctoral researcher's main supervisor, who may be assisted by the second supervisor if the researcher or main supervisor or the Director require it.

The Review meeting will be free format but must include any requirements set after the prior Progression Review (e.g. the doctoral researcher to revise the Doctoral Researcher's Written Report).  The main supervisor and researcher should re-read material in Form C from the last Progression Review.

After the Review meeting, the main supervisor should contact the Director of Doctoral Studies, summarising the Interim Review, with a copy to the School Office on mps-pgrsupport@sussex.ac.uk

After the Interim Review

The Director will view the outcome of the Interim review meeting and make a decision on registration of the student, communicating it to the supervisor(s) and the student with a copy to the School Office.

Registration

Doctoral Researchers asked to undertake an Interim Review will normally be placed on Provisional Registration.  If the Interim Review is completed satisfactorily, they will be returned to Full Registration.

Enquiries

Questions about the academic content and purpose of the Interim Review should be sent to the Director of Doctoral Studies, Dr Miro Chlebik.

Questions about administrative arrangements and registration should be directed to the School office on mps-pgrsupport@sussex.ac.uk