It is a requirement of continued enrolment that all postgraduate research students take part in a formal annual review in each year of their candidature. Progress reviews provide an opportunity for students, their supervisor/s and schools to review how the research has progressed over the past year against the research plan, review all aspects of a student’s candidature, develop a plan of action for the next year, and to identify and respond to any impediments to progress to a timely completion.

Annual Progress Reviews and Confirmation of Candidature for PhD/MRes/MPhil Candidates - UPDATED (Sep 2009)

The review process should identify and document any factors contributing to a lack of progress. These factors may lie with the topic, the supervisor, the candidate, or in other areas including infrastructure support, access to resources, the research culture within the School, or a combination of these. Once the relevant factors have been identified, the School should institute appropriate supportive remedial action to maximise the chances of the research program getting ‘back on track’. Any anticipated delays in completion relating to unsatisfactory progress, for whatever reason, should be acknowledged.

If the result of an annual progress review is unsatisfactory, the continuation of the candidature may become the subject of discussion at the Faculty's Higher Degree Committee (HDC) and students may be asked to "Show Cause" as to why their candidature should not be discontinued. The HDC procedure for "Show Cause" can be found here.

The Graduate Research School will produce a Cover Sheet and/or individual Annual Progress Review Form for each student and send to the School. This Form allows for electronic input of information and emailing of the document to students and supervisors. The Cover Sheet will be populated using information from the student’s official records.

Download current annual progress review form (Word document)

Forms are distributed to Schools twice a year in May and October to allow reviews to be held in either Semester 1 or Semester 2 for all candidates, depending on their commencement date.

For further information regarding annual progress review procedures please contact your School Postgraduate Coordinator.

Information may also be obtained from the appropriate Research Administration Officer in the Graduate Research School or Julie Fox on 9385 4048 or via email: j.fox@unsw.edu.au. If you have any technical difficulties with the Form please contact Shona Blair on 9385 6067 or via email: s.blair@unsw.edu.au.