The aim of this viva is to prove that a student is ready for their registration to be transferred from MPhil to PhD.  However, before this can take place the viva assessors must agree that research is valid and timely and that the work will produce a contribution that is sufficient for a PhD thesis (in terms of scope and quality).

The transfer viva should take place by months 21-24 for full-time students (month 30 for part-time).  In no instance should the transfer viva take place later than Month 30 (Month 36 P/T).

By this point a student should be able to show substantial progress of research and present a fairly concrete draft contents page for the thesis.  They should have a plan for the writing of the thesis: most of the actual research work may be complete but there will be tidying up needed and perhaps the odd extra piece of work to confirm (or deny) issues to be addressed in the thesis.  Examiners could also be identified.

The student must therefore submit a substantial project report, as well as a summary report form; both of which can be found here.  Both should be submitted to supervisors and assessors a couple of weeks before the viva.

The assessment panel should consist of the student's second supervisor and another academic from the department who is knowledgeable on the research topic but has not been involved in the students' research.

If the supervisor expects any problems the departmental Graduate Tutor should be notified and will join the panel.

After the viva a Feedback Form has to be completed by the assessor and agreed with the second supervisor.  Please download form below:

Transfer Viva Feedback Form (Word)

Transfer Viva Feedback Form (ASCII)

The completed form should be sent to the supervisor, the student, the Graduate Tutorand the departmental Postgraduate Administrator.

The supervisor should also carry out a review with the student after the viva and make sure that they complete the relevant section of the Graduate School Log.

If progress is not satisfactory, you should set the student time by which he/she has to fix these problems.

After a successful Transfer Viva, a Transfer of Registration Form must be completed and forwarded to the departmental Postgraduate Administrator, who will then forward it onto Student Records.  Your student's status with Registry and Academic Services will not be changed until this form has been submitted for the Graduate Tutor's approval; and if not done will affect their ability to transfer to CRS status at a later date.