Structure of the Degree
Though a PhD is primarily based upon independent research, the School’s PhD program incorporates different modes of study at different stages of the program, and is structured around a series of milestones that monitor your progress. For clarity this program is described here as it relates to students studying full-time (3 years), but the same program may also be followed on a part-time (5 years) basis.
A good part of Year 1 will be spent further developing your initial research ideas, substantive knowledge of the field or fields to which these ideas relate, and designing a suitable methodology through which to conduct your research.
Much of this substantive knowledge will be gained through a process of individual reading (guided by your supervisors) but you will also benefit from interaction with other students and engagement with the range of reading groups and seminars that the School offers. These reading groups and seminars form part of a broader package of Training and Support that the School provides throughout the course of the PhD, and which includes a comprehensive program of research and methods training created to help you design an appopriate research methodology.
Progess is monitored via regular end of semester progress reports completed by the student and supervisors, and in a student’s Doctoral Record. The aim of year 1 is to move you through to Progression.
Progression occurs approximately 9 months after initial registration. It is dependent upon your submission to the Progression Panel (consisting of your primary and seconary supervisors and an external expert in your field) and successful defence at viva (oral examination) of a selection of papers. Human geographers submit an Introduction, Literature Review and Outline Methodology; physical geographers a Concepts, Context and Frameworks document. You may only proceed to year 2 once Progression is passed.
Whilst Year 2 is typically spent gathering research data ‘in the field’, Year 3 is in turn usually spent analysing this data and writing up the final thesis. Both this data analysis and the writing up process is again supported by a comprehensive package of advanced Research Training designed to aid this process as well as to prepare you for your post-doctoral career – whether in academia or beyond.
Progress towards final submission of the thesis, and preparations for your post-doctoral career, is monitored at the Thesis Review Meeting held with your supervisors some 6 months or so prior to submission – the purpose of which is to offer detailed advice on final drafts of the thesis, on plans for publication, and for future employment.
Your thesis itself is submitted to the Research Degrees Office at Queen Mary. A PhD is awarded following the successful defence of your thesis at viva. The PhD is examined by two examiners (one from the University of London, one from another University) appointed in consultation by you and your supervisors and approved by Queen Mary’s Research Degrees Office.