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MPhil/PhD in Statistics

Programme Code: RPST

Department: Statistics

For students starting this programme of study in 2024/25

Guidelines for interpreting programme regulations

In addition to progressing with their research, students are expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses. Students may take courses in addition to those listed, and should discuss this with their supervisor.

Prerequisite Requirements and Mutually Exclusive Options

# means there may be prerequisites for this course. Please view the course guide for more information.

Progression and upgrade requirements 

Formal assessment is made towards the end of each Spring Term. This assessment is based on a combination of course evaluation, the evaluation of a preliminary research project, and on statements made by the student and the supervisors in the progress report form. Performance in the compulsory taught courses will contribute to the decision on a student’s progression to the next year. Students are also required to complete a supplementary report, providing in more detail an outline of their current research.

The MPhil/PhD Evaluation Committee will meet during the Spring Term in order to oversee the progress of students and to decide on whether to recommend to the School that students be permitted to proceed to the next year of study. The outcome of this progress review may be progression, progression to the next year with conditions, or de-registration from the programme.

The following benchmarks are used by the MPhil/PhD Evaluation Committee to determine if students are progressing appropriately:

• By Spring Term Year 1 (full-time students): 
  1. Pass at least two courses from the ones taken. At least one has to be either ST552 or ST505;
  2. In the case of students failing one course, they should have demonstrated serious engagement and serious attempts in all assessments;
  3. Present their research topic at the annual presentation events.
• By Spring Term Year 2 (full-time students): Upgrade from MPhil to PhD status and present their research findings at the annual presentation events (Successful completion of 1. and 2. above is required for an upgrade)
• By Spring Term Year 3 (full-time students): Submit a plan for completion and present their research findings at the annual presentation events

In addition, students are expected to have completed requirements as directed by the supervisory team, according to the needs of their individual PhD project.

All full-time students are required to have made the transition from MPhil to PhD status within two years of first registration and to have submitted their PhD thesis within four years.

It is expected that the student is assessed for upgrade within the first 18 months of registration. The student is required to submit a written report of literature searches, research findings and related work, together with a written research plan. The student presents her/his work to date and findings to a panel (comprised of the first and/or second supervisor and another expert in the field of the research undertaken by the student) and answers questions from the panel. If satisfactory progress has been made, the programme director will recommend that registration be upgraded to PhD status. The department's research committee also monitors the progress of PhD students. 

Teaching opportunities
The department employs Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) to teach a number of its undergraduate and postgraduate courses. In particular ST102, Elementary Statistical theory, and ST107, Quantitative Methods, are taught to a large number of students across the School and require a significant number of classes. Research students are encouraged to undertake some teaching from year two onwards. First year MPhil/PhD students are normally not permitted to teach, although some marking may be available during the year or for the external degree at the end of the year. A Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education is offered to those who wish to pursue this.

Thesis Guidelines

A PhD thesis must form a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject. It must advance original ideas or hypotheses with suitable arguments and evidence, and exercise independent critique. A thesis must give a critical assessment of the relevant literature, describe the method of research and its findings. It must include a discussion of those findings and their significance in advancing the knowledge of the field.

As we have different research groups, in practice the criteria will vary between topics and within the overarching theme of each research group. Supervisors are responsible for providing guidance, but ultimately the candidate is responsible for the decisions on their thesis. It is ultimately the examiners who decide whether to recommend that the candidate is worthy of being awarded a PhD.

Format

Aligning with there are two modes of PhD thesis approved by the Department of Statistics:

• A monograph that forms an integrated whole;

OR

• A set of publishable papers on a set of topics and adhering to the following guidance:

1. Include an introductory chapter at the beginning of the thesis which includes a brief overview of the field, summarizes the papers, and provides a rationale for their inclusion in the thesis. Links between the papers should be articulated clearly.
2. Inclusion of co-authored papers is considered on a case-by-case basis, and any form of co-authorship should be discussed with the candidate’s supervisor.
3. The norm is three papers, but deviation can take place depending on the overall quality and nature of the papers submitted/to be submitted. The whole manuscript should constitute a significant contribution to the research area. Both quality and quantity of the produced work will be considered.

Note for prospective students:
For changes to graduate course and programme information for the next academic session, please see the . Changes to course and programme information for future academic sessions can be found on the .