Transfer of Registration to PhD

 

Background

Direct registration for PhD is normally possible only for those holding a relevant Masters level qualification, otherwise candidates register for MPhil. Every Research Degree candidate registered for MPhil has the opportunity to transfer their registration to PhD, subject to their demonstrating both that they have the capability to undertake a PhD and that the current MPhil registration can be enhanced and extended to satisfy the academic requirements of a PhD.

It is not necessary to complete the MPhil programme before entering the transfer process, which is normally undertaken at around 9-15 months into a full-time MPhil programme or 18-30 months into a part-time MPhil programme.

It is important to understand that during transfer you are not submitting the MPhil for examination but instead developing a PhD proposal based on the research undertaken to date and the new opportunities that have arises to re-assess the research programme. If you transfer successfully your registration to PhD, you will not be awarded an MPhil as an interim award but will submit only for PhD.

The transfer process requires that a Transfer Document (effectively a progress report on the MPhil) is completed and that a new registration document (UCE9R) is developed for the PhD programme. Each candidate for transfer also undergoes a Transfer Viva at which they present their progress to date and the extension to PhD to a panel of the TIC Research Degrees Committee.

A Microsoft Powerpoint™ presentation about the Transfer Process can be seen by clicking here

 

preparation of Transfer Report

The Transfer Report demonstrates the progress made against the original MPhil objectives and work plan contained in the original UCE9R that was approved for MPhil by URDC. The transfer report should :

There is no special format for the Transfer Document, but the completed document is attached to the UCE9T form that the TIC-RDC Panel must complete following the Viva and scrutiny of the Transfer Report

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transfer viva

The Transfer Viva (oral examination) is your opportunity to present to a panel of TIC-RDC the progress you have made against the original MPhil objectives. In addition you can present the proposed extension to PhD and discuss with the Panel the progress made and the proposed extension of the research to satisfy the requirements of PhD.

Prior to the Transfer Viva, you must have submitted a Transfer Report to TIC-RDC so that this can be read by the panel members in advance of the Viva.

A typical format for the Transfer Viva is as follows:

It is expected that both the candidate and the Director of Studies will attend the Transfer Viva and both may be questioned by the Transfer Panel on any aspect of the work to date and the proposed extension to PhD. It is also extremely helpful to the Panel (but not required)if a draft UCE9T for the proposed extension to PhD can accompany the transfer report, so that a preliminary consideration can be made and appropriate guidance given. The UCE9R will not, however, be formally considered at the Transfer Viva.

After the Viva has been completed, the Transfer Panel completes the Transfer Request form UCE9T. Assuming that the Transfer Report was of an acceptable standard and that the proposed extension to PhD appears likely to be appropriate, the PhD Transfer will be approved by TIC-RDC.

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preparation of PHD PROPOSAL DOCUMENT

A new Research Proposal for the extension to PhD must be developed using the UCE9R form. A MS -Powerpoint presentation on completing the UCE9R can be viewed by clicking here. Alternatively, refer to the UCE9R Guidance pages by clicking here

The preparation of the UCE9R that supports PhD transfer, although the same form as for direct PhD registration, is a little different. Clearly, at the point of transfer to PhD you will have completed some 9-18 months of the MPhil proposal, whereas at direct PhD registration this is not the case. In essence, therefore, the MPhil research represents very significant background work that has opened up the opportunity for PhD that may not have been envisaged at first registration. You should not attempt to recreate the transfer document within the UCE9R, but you do need to include sufficient background and findings from the MPhil work to contextualise and justify the transfer to PhD.

It is worth considering what URDC members see when they review you application to transfer to PhD to provide some guidance as to what you need to include in the UCE9R. Each members receive a copy of the UCE9T form, showing that you have successfully undergone the Transfer Viva; that you have produced a transfer report of a standard acceptable to the TIC and that the your Supervisory Team believe you are capable of undertaking further research to PhD. URDC members do not, however, receive a copy of the Transfer Report itself, so the context of the research to PhD can only be seen from what you have included in the UCE9R. Because the UCE9R must stand-alone, you must include key findings from the MPhil within the Background section of your UCE9R. You can, of course, make reference to your Transfer Report if you wish, in the same way that you would reference other documents. You must also be clear as to where the required novelty or contribution to knowledge required at PhD level will come.

Changes to Supervisory Team

Another important aspect of the PhD proposal is that is may be necessary to make changes to the Supervisory Team. For supervision at PhD level is is essential that the supervisors have at least 2 successful PhD completions between them. Furthermore it is quite normal for the PhD programme to change direction slightly or to require additional expertise and support. It it therefore common to reformulate the supervisory team for PhD, ensuring that the appropriate combination of technical knowledge and supervision experience is present. This requires that the new PhD supervisory team is recorded on the UCE9R and that a Change of Supervisors form UCE9s is also completed.

 

approval of phd transfer

As previously, your Director of Studies will be required to attend the URDC meeting to defend your proposal and to answer questions from URDC members. When your PhD transfer is approved, you will receive a letter from AQS informing you of the approval and indicating the new data after which an Extension of Registration request will be required. (This changes because the maximum Registration Period for PhD is longer than for MPhil)

 

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