A core part of the first year is the completion of the 1st Year Summer Research Project. Most of the work is completed during Term 3 and over the Summer and a key part for progressing in the PhD programme.

The project is an opportunity for an in-depth investigation of a research topic. Supported by their supervisor(s), students identify a suitable topic of scientific interest, work on it, and finally report on their insight and results. This might comprise understanding the main ideas and concepts in the area, formulating and studying suitable problems, and the development and application of suitable methods and tools. As such, it bears similarity to day-to-day research as a PhD student. The scope is comparable with that of an MSc project but the thesis is less formal. In particular, it isn't 'finished' as it is rather a start into the PhD project.

The Summer Project also provides the supervisor(s) an opportunity to assess a students ability to conduct independent research, which is essential to complete a PhD degree course. Therefore, it is also used as a progress hurdle for the progression from the first to the second year.

In by far most cases, students and their supervisors develop productive working relationships. However, changes can be made, both with respect to the research topic and the supervision arrangements.

With the Summer Project, the foundation is set for great achievements: