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Mathematics Department milestones are managed through the Maths PhD Milestones app.  Access Maths PhD Milestones

Milestones for research degrees

PhD Progression Flowchart

‌This chart summarises the Department of Mathematics milestones for research degrees. It is important that students read full guidelines for each milestone in order to fully understand them.

Research Plan Confirmation (RPC - 3 months)

Deadline

  • RPC milestone is to be completed within 3 months of initial registration.
  • It should consist of a brief description of your research area/topic (2-4 pages)

Guidelines

Please read the guidelines carefully before completing the online form:

Exemption is only granted for courses taken as part of the PhD. If the courses were taken as part of the MRes year (as it is for some CDTs), the Graduate School will not grant exemption.

Taught Courses for First and Second Year PhD Students

Early Stage Assessment (ESA)

The Early Stage Assessment is normally completed within 12 months of registration for full-time students, or 24 months for part-time students. It assesses your understanding of the research area, your progress so far and your potential to undertake independent research. It also considers whether you have identified a promising and viable research direction.

The assessment comprises a written research report, generally no more than 15 pages, and an oral assessment with two independent academic assessors.

Your report should explain:

  • the research questions you are investigating and why they matter;
  • the relevant literature and mathematical background;
  • the methods or approaches you propose to use;
  • the work undertaken so far, including any preliminary results; and
  • your plans for the next stage of the research.

Preliminary results may be limited at this stage, but your report and oral discussion should demonstrate understanding, active engagement with the research problem and a credible basis for further work. The assessment provides feedback to help you develop your project and confirms whether you are ready to continue towards the PhD.

Guidelines

Please read the guidelines carefully before completing the online form:

Exemption is only granted for courses taken as part of the PhD. If the courses were taken as part of the MRes year (as it is for some CDTs), the ECRI will not grant exemption.

Taught Courses for First and Second Year PhD Students

Late Stage Review (LSR)

The Late Stage Review is normally completed within 24 months of registration for full-time students, or 48 months for part-time students. It assesses your research progress, your developing independence and how your work is progressing towards an original doctoral contribution. It also considers whether you have a realistic plan for completing your PhD.

The assessment comprises a written research report, typically no more than 30 pages, and an oral assessment with two independent academic assessors.

Your report should explain:

  • your research questions and how the project has developed since ESA;
  • the relationship between your research and the relevant literature;
  • your principal achievements and your own contribution, with sufficient mathematical detail for assessors to evaluate the work;
  • the remaining questions, difficulties and work required; and
  • a realistic schedule for completing the research and preparing the thesis.

 

Clearly distinguish established results from conjectures and incomplete work, and explain your contribution to collaborative research. The report may later provide the basis for a publication or thesis chapter, but publication is not a requirement. The oral assessment explores your understanding of the work and provides feedback on your research and completion plans.

Guidelines

Please read the guidelines carefully before completing the online form:

Taught Courses for First and Second Year PhD Students

Year Three Progress Report (Y3PR) - moving to Writing Up

Following 36 months of full-time study (72 months of part-time study), all research students must discuss their progress with their supervisor and complete a formal progress report (Year 3 Progress Review). You will also be asked to provide a timeline for your planned thesis submission and to confirm your student registration plans for your final year.

Writing Up Status

  • Students who have successfully completed all their experimental work and collection of material relating to their thesis are eligible to enter the Writing Up Status.
  • Students must have successfully completed both the ESA and LSR to enter Writing Up status.
  • Students must have completed Year 3 Progress Review to enter Writing up status.
  • The maximum Writing Up period for full-time students is 12 months from the date of entry to Writing Up status (24 months for part time students). To enter Writing up students must be able to demonstrate that they will be in a position to submit their thesis at the end of their Writing Up period.
  • Students who are in Writing Up are fully enrolled students and retain access to Imperial facilities whilst writing up.
  • Tuition fees are not charged for the Writing Up period.
  • Writing Up Procedure
 

Extension of Registration

  • Students who still have experimental or data collection work to perform at this stage cannot move in to Writing Up status. Students in this position will have their active research period extended until they are ready to move to Writing Up.
  • There will be a pro-rata charge of annual tuition fee for the additional registration period. Students should check their funding schemes as many end at 3 or 3.5 years.
     

Please contact the PG Administrator if you need advice or have any questions prior to completing your Year 3 Progress Review (Y3PR) form. 

Exam Entry Form (EEF) - 4 months before thesis submission

Exam Entry Form and nomination of examiners

Before you can submit your thesis or arrange your viva examination, you will need to complete an Examination Entry Form (EEF) via the Postgraduate Research Milestones tile in My Imperial.

You should aim to submit your examination entry forms at least four months before you would like to submit your thesis, or four months before your final submission deadline. This means submitting your forms no later than 44 months after your start date if you are a full-time student, or 68 months after your start date if you are a part-time student. 

Please note that submission of your thesis is not permitted until you have completed the minimum registration period. The minimum length of programme for the degree of PhD shall be 24 months of full-time study or the equivalent (normally 48 months) in part-time study from the point of registration. The minimum length of programme for the degree of MPhil shall be 12 months of full-time study or the equivalent (normally 24 months) in part-time study.

Before you submit the examination entry forms, you should ensure that you have completed all your milestones and other requirements (e.g. ECRI courses). You can check your completed milestones via Postgraduate Research Milestones tile on  My Imperial.

The EEF Submission and Appointment of Examiners Process

  • Login to My Imperial and click on the postgraduate research milestones tile. Click on the Examination Entry milestone under 'My milestones.'
  • Enter the required information including your research topic, thesis title and expected thesis submission date. Once you've finished, click on 'submit to supervisor.'
  • Once your supervisor has completed the examination information, the EEF will be sent to the Director of Postgraduate Research (DPR) for approval.
  • Once approved by DPR, the Research Degrees Team will initiate the process of appointing your Internal and External Examiners. 

    Do NOT make arrangements for your viva examination to take place until you have been notified by Research Degrees that the appointments of your Internal and External Examiners have been approved by Imperial.

Please note: The examination entry has a life of 18 months, during which the thesis can be submitted for examination. After 18 months, the entry will be cancelled, and another entry form will need to be completed. 

Thesis Submission and Vivas
  • Thesis must be submitted by 48 months of registration. It is a strict deadline.
  • If you are concerned about not being able to submit on time, please speak to the PGR Coordinator early.
  • Thesis must be submitted electronically via the postgraduate milestone tile on My Imperial (no need to submit a hard copy of the thesis).

Please read the relevant submission requirements carefully to ensure you submit in the correct format: Research Degrees examination information (including thesis submission, viva, final thesis submission, binding, award and certificate) can be found here.

Postgraduate Research Student Appeals

Terms and conditions

Important information that you need to be aware of both prior to becoming a student, and during your studies at Imperial College: Terms and conditions