Compton and Pirbright Laboratories each run a programme of research seminars given by invited speakers, which students are expected to attend, as well as weekly or fortnightly internal seminars and research reports at both Laboratory and Division levels, in which participation by students is required. To help ensure that they graduate with a well rounded knowledge of their own, and related, fields, students run their own interdivisional journal club. Students attend formal research reviews and courses run at the individual laboratories by Institute staff. Training also includes participation in any meetings of scientific societies and laboratory courses that the supervisors may deem appropriate. Finally, students must satisfy the training and supervision requirements of the degree-awarding body with which they are registered.
Progress is reviewed at the end of the first year following registration.
The student is then examined by a panel consisting of the external supervisor plus one or two members of the Institute appointed by the local Academic Committee. The internal supervisor may also attend by agreement but is not a member of the panel. Where possible, the examination is organised to meet the requirements of the registering university or body so that the recommendation on whether to change the registration from MPhil to PhD can be made on the basis of this examination. The committee continues to monitor progress during the second and third years through liaison with the supervisor, so that any problem that may arise can be identified at an early stage. Housing, pastoral care, etc All students in their first year are guaranteed accommodation.