PhD schedule summary

Physics Postgraduate Procedural Timetable

Direct PhD registration From

The following table gives information on procedural matters and deadlines for research students and supervisors.

All paperwork will also be emailed out by the PG Office at the relevant time, and forms related to College procedures (RPC, transfers, ESA, LSR, exam entry and writing up) are also available from the Registry (http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/registry/researchdegrees). The procedures cover full-time and part-time students and the memos, which will be sent out with the forms, give more details on what is expected at each stage.

The timing of the exercises is given in months after initial registration; the month in brackets underneath assumes a nominal October start and should be adjusted for students who registered at other times, or who have been on interruptions of studies.

More detailed information, including guidance and submission forms, can be found on the PhD Schedule of Study page.

Months
after initial
registration

First Year

Month 1
(Oct)

Annual PhD Registration
All students are required to complete registration formalities online each year at the start of session

Months 2-3
(Nov - Dec)

Research Proposal Confirmation
Students are required to draw up an initial research plan, in consultation with their supervisor, within 3 months of registration.

Month 9-12
(Jun)

Early Stage Assessment PhD Progress Report and Oral Examination
Students can take their examination to be assessed whether they should remain on the PhD from 9M after registration. The process must be completed within 12M.

Months
after initial
registration

Second Year

Month 13
(Oct)

Annual Registration
All students are required to complete registration formalities online each year at the start of session.

Month 18 -24M
(Mar)

Late Stage Assessment 18M Progress Review
This should be submitted between the 18M and 24M.

Months
after initial
registration

Third Year

General

Note that PhD Exam Entry Forms must be submitted at least 8 weeks before the thesis is submitted. Exam entry must be made within 47 months of initial registration.

Month 25
(Oct)

Annual Registration
All students are required to complete registration formalities online each year at the start of session.

Month 34-35
(July)

Thesis Progress Review
This is your third-year progress report, and is due by the end of 35M.

Month 35
(Aug)

Apply for Complete Research Status (CRS)
If students will complete their registered period of research after 36 months, but wish to remain in College solely for the purpose of writing up their thesis, they may be categorised as Complete Research Status students for a period not exceeding 12 months*. A student who is categorised as “CRS” is not charged fees, but will have to pay a £200 nominal fee. Note that students must enter for the PhD Exam before Complete Research status will be given.  Students are not allowed to use the Labs during this period.

Months
after initial
registration

Fourth Year

Month 37
(Oct)

Annual Registration
Students who intend to register for a fourth year (or part of a year) are required to complete registration formalities online at the start of session.

Month 42
(March)

Thesis Progress Review
Students who register for a fourth year are required to submit an additional thesis progress review.

Month 46

(July)

Deadline for PhD Exam Entry
PhD Exam entry must be made within 47 months of initial registration. Entry forms are available from the Registry website.  They must be submitted electronically as word documents to the PG office.

Month 48
(Sep)

DEADLINE FOR THESIS SUBMISSION
Full-time students should submit their thesis within 48 months of initial registration. Official interruptions of study are taken into account in calculating the 48 months. Part-time students should normally submit within 72 months.