What happens when your PhD supervisor retires?

The Supervisor cannot unilaterally select a candidate. The allotment is also recommended by the Panel appointed by the Office of Research and the decision is ratified there. This way, if the Supervisor leaves for other employment or retires, then the Office of Research will assign an alternative Supervisor.

How many PhD supervisors can you have?

The role of the supervisors and their relationships with their students are of critical importance and it is accepted that a wide range of successful student- supervisor relationships will exist. Students may have only one supervisor or may have up to three but not more than three supervisors.

What happens to your relationship with Your PhD supervisor as you progress?

As you enter the middle stretch of your PhD the relationship with your supervisor will shift slightly. You’ll still have regular meetings, but won’t be as dependent on them to help set targets, or reassure you that you’re heading in the right direction.

Is Your PhD supervisor a master or an apprentice?

A PhD supervisor and student are often compared to a master and an apprentice. There’s some logic in this. You can expect to benefit from your supervisor’s ‘mastery’ of your subject and of research techniques, viewing them as an example as well as an advisor.

Do PhD students need to attend supervisory meetings?

Note that the ability to attend supervisory meetings is an expectation of full-time PhD students who are based ‘on campus’. If you are studying by distance learning your supervisor may arrange for a different format, such as discussing work over the phone or via video conferencing.

What happens in the first stage of a PhD program?

Most PhDs begin with an initial meeting between the student and their supervisor. This will be your first chance to sit down together and discuss your project. You’ll review the aims set out in your research proposal and think about how to proceed with the first stages of your doctorate.