Starter review

For Doctoral Researchers

To provide an early, realistic appraisal of whether doctoral researchers are on track to complete their PhD or MPhil satisfactorily within the allowed time, based on observations of progress towards first research milestones and to reflect on progress and future plans.
To reassure those doctoral researchers who are making satisfactory progress.
For doctoral researchers whose progress appears slower initially, to provide constructive feedback with reasonably early notice so that adequate corrections can be made ahead of the Annual Review later in the year.
To identify specific areas for development that doctoral researchers may need to monitor closely and possibly act upon.
Where applicable, to encourage doctoral researchers to access additional available resources, both academic or otherwise.

The outcome of the Starter Review is advisory only - it will not directly affect your registration status.

For Supervisors

To encourage supervisors to reflect upon the doctoral researcher's progress and their aptitude for PhD/MPhil level research.
To give supervisors a scheduled and structured opportunity to consolidate expectations for doctoral researchers at an early stage of their PhD/MPhil.
To prompt supervisors to communicate clearly to doctoral researchers their early assessment of progress to date.
To highlight potential concerns early on, which are to be addressed specifically by the doctoral researcher's Review Panel at the time of the first Annual Review.
To identify specific areas for development that doctoral researchers may need to monitor closely and possible act upon.
Where applicable, to encourage doctoral researchers to access additional available resources, both academic or otherwise.

The outcome of the Starter Review is advisory only - it will not directly affect the student's registration status

Step 1. Book a meeting with your Supervisors

You will find a Timetable for your Reviews in your Box folder. If you cannot find it, contact the School office on mps-pgrsupport@sussex.ac.uk

The timetable gives your Supervisor names and email addresses, as well as the deadline for your Starter Review to be completed.

Contact your two Supervisors and arrange a time and location for the meeting.

Arrange to meet in one of the faculty offices, or over the internet if needed.

Book your supervisors early because they will be busy! A meeting of approximately 30 minutes will be required.

Your Reviewers do not attend your Starter Review meeting, but will need to approve your Research Outline.

Step 2. Prepare the paperwork

Write a Research Outline. This should be, at most, 2 pages of A4. You should set out the motivation and initial scope of your research and describe a plan of work for at least the first 12 months. It should be in English and should include concrete aims; it should not simply list activities.
You should do this in consultation with your supervisor, who will give you feedback. If possible, share this with both your main supervisor and second supervisor before your starter review interview.

Step 3. During the Interview

Your Supervisors will discuss your Research Outline with you. They may suggest changes and might ask you to revise it.

They will also assess your written and spoken English and may make recommendations.

They will discuss your Training needs as well.

Then,

With your help, your Supervisors complete the starter review form: BLANK starter review form [PDF 132.37KB].
You save the finalised version of your Research Outline in your Box folder, in pdf format.
School office will have saved a copy of your Training Needs Analysis (TNA) in your Box folder. If it is missing, upload it yourself.
When the three tasks above are done, tell the School Office you have submitted the Starter Review by sending an email to mps-pgrsupport@sussex.ac.uk

Step 4. After the interview

The School office will then contact the Director for Postgraduate Researchers to say that your Starter Review is complete.

The Director will only contact you if there are concerns about your research plans or specific difficulties were identified at the interview.

School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences