Academic support

The ICR has well-defined procedures for monitoring research student progress and provides support and training to students and supervisors.

The Heads of Division review projects within their respective areas to ensure scientific quality and that the project meets the requirements of the MPhil/PhD degree. Submission rates and external examiner reports are monitored by our Academic Committees

Supervision

Only members of our rigorously selected faculty are permitted to supervise students. 

Faculty members are highly experienced project and resource managers who undergo formal training in supervision before they take on research students, and also attend periodic update sessions.

All students also have a back-up supervisor and, in some cases, an associate supervisor as well. Supervisors submit reports on the work of their students to the Academic Dean’s Team at least once a year, highlighting any problem areas if appropriate.

Progression

Students will progress through the following stages each year:

Year 1

• review at six months with Deputy Dean or Senior Tutor
• a comprehensive upgrade report submitted, including critique of work carried out
• the report is assessed by an independent assessor, as well as the primary and backup supervisors
• student is examined orally by the supervisory team and independent internal assessor
• decision to transfer from MPhil to PhD decision is made

Year 2

• annual review with Deputy Dean or Senior Tutor

Year 3

• annual review with Deputy Dean or Senior Tutor
• second short report submitted, written as an extension to the first comprehensive report
• report is assessed by internal assessor and backup supervisor
• submission of thesis plan

Year 4

• quarterly meetings with Deputy Dean or Senior Tutor

Student portfolio

Students are required to keep a portfolio, which is a comprehensive record of their learning and achievement, including any formal training undertaken during their programme of study.

The detail of portfolio content is agreed between the student and the supervisory team, and the portfolio is reviewed by a member of the Academic Dean’s Team as part of the annual monitoring process. All students are provided with their skeleton portfolio in their first term.