PhD student update: My PhD upgrade

TL;DR

A PhD student shares their experience of going through the upgrade process, discussing the requirements, preparation, and outcome.

Transcript

hi everyone welcome back and if you haven't been here before my name is ava and i'm a phd student from ucl so today i thought i'd talk about my experience of my phd upgrade so for those who don't know an upgrade is something that some uk universities have and i'm sure other universities in other areas too basically you start a phd on a masters of p... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 PhD upgrades assess the candidate's understanding, independent work, and ability to defend their research choices.
• 🎓 The requirements for an upgrade vary across universities, but often involve a written report, presentation, and viva session.
• 🏑 The upgrade experience can be nerve-wracking but also a valuable opportunity to receive feedback and validation from experts in the field.
• ❤️‍🩹 The upgrade process serves as preparation for the final viva at the end of the PhD journey.
• 👨‍🔬 Research often doesn't provide definitive answers, and the presence of unanswered questions shouldn't undermine the strength of a PhD.
• 💦 Presenting findings to both experts and friends can be rewarding, as it showcases the hard work and progress made during the research journey.
• #️⃣ The upgrade process may be impacted by individual circumstances and the number of studies conducted.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is an upgrade in the context of a PhD program?

An upgrade is a stage in a PhD program where you transition from being a Master of Philosophy student to a PhD student. It requires showing a deep understanding of the field, independent work, and meeting specific criteria set by the university.

Q: What are the requirements for an upgrade at UCL?

At UCL, the requirements for an upgrade include writing a 10,000-word report, giving a presentation, and undergoing a mini viva session where your work is questioned and validated by examiners.

Q: How long did the upgrade process take for you?

The upgrade process was delayed by five months due to the availability of my second supervisor and an external examiner. It eventually took place in the morning, followed by a presentation to the neuroscience department at UCL.

Q: How did you prepare for the upgrade viva?

I treated the viva like a trial and prepared practice questions for myself on various topics related to my research. I aimed to validate every step of my work and be able to defend my choices and findings.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The PhD upgrade process involves proving adequate understanding and independent work in your field, including a written report, a presentation, and a viva session.

• The specific requirements for an upgrade at University College London (UCL) include a 10,000-word report, a presentation, and a mini viva session.

• The experience can be nerve-wracking but also valuable preparation for the final viva at the end of the three-year PhD.