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Requirements for FT and PT PGRs

M4C mid-year review requirements

Full requirements can be found on M4C VPP, Mid-Year Review and End of Year Report page.

  Full-time Part-time
Year 1
  • A research statement of 1500-2000 words indicating the scope of your thesis, and outlining the key research questions, research context and methodology (include details of any key texts, materials or case studies you intend to use).
  • A 5000-word example of your written work, e.g. a chapter or a section of discursive prose from your thesis, or equivalent output for practice-based PhDs.
  • For M4C award holders in year one of your PhD (or part-time equivalent), requests for extended funding can be made where there is a rationale for complex or extended training, skills acquisition, extended archival visits, fieldwork or placement needs. An M4C award can be extended up to a maximum of 6 months full-time or 12 months part-time. If applicable please complete the Award Extension Request Form by 31 March 2025.

Part time students will undertake an assessment review in years 2, 4 and 6.

In years 1, 3 and 5 they will be reviewed by their supervisory team using the student mid-year report form

Year 2
  • An updated 1500-2000 word research statement. This should build on your first-year statement and provide details of how the research has developed, any changes in scope, content and direction.
  • if required a 5000-word example of your written work (i.e. a chapter or a section of discursive prose from your thesis) or equivalent output for practice-based PhDs.

A research statement of 1500-2000 words indicating the scope of your thesis, and outlining the key research questions, research context and methodology (include details of any key texts, materials or case studies you intend to use).
A 5000-word example of your written work ie a chapter or a section of discursive prose from your thesis, or equivalent output for practice-based PhDs.


For M4C award holders in year one (or part-time equivalent) requests for extended funding can be made where there is a rationale for complex or extended training, skills acquisition, extended archival visits, fieldwork or placement needs. An M4C award can be extended up to a maximum of 6 months full-time or 12 months part-time. If applicable please complete the Award Extension Request Form by 31 March 2023.

Year 3
  • An updated 1500-2000 word research statement. This should build on your first-year statement and provide details of how the research has developed, any changes in scope, content and direction.
  • if required a 5000-word example of your written work (ie a chapter or a section of discursive prose from your thesis) or equivalent output for practice-based PhDs.

Part time students will undertake an assessment review in years 2, 4 and 6.

In years 1, 3 and 5 they will be reviewed by their supervisory team using the student mid-year report form

Year 4
  • If your end date remains on or before 31st of March and you have completed 3 MYRs you do not need to complete a mid-year review
  • but if your award end date has been extended for any reason beyond 31st of March you must complete a light touch mid-year review (as long as you have already completed 3 MYRs) using the usual form on the VPP and submit a brief statement outlining how you are on track to submit your PhD.

An updated 1500-2000 word research statement. This should build on your first-year statement and provide details of how the research has developed, any changes in scope, content and direction.

if required a 5000-word example of your written work (ie a chapter or a section of discursive prose from your thesis) or equivalent output for practice-based PhDs.

Year 5 N/A

Part time students will undertake an assessment review in years 2, 4 and 6.

In years 1, 3 and 5 they will be reviewed by their supervisory team using the student mid-year report form

Year 6  N/A

An updated 1500-2000 word research statement. This should build on your first-year statement and provide details of how the research has developed, any changes in scope, content and direction.

if required a 5000-word example of your written work (i.e. a chapter or a section of discursive prose from your thesis) or equivalent output for practice-based PhDs.