RD4 and RD5 deadlines
These are committee-paperwork deadlines
The tables give due dates for completed review papers to reach the School RDC. Arrange the meeting earlier. Your proposal or report must reach the review panel at least one week before that meeting.
The tables below transcribe the 2026/27 framework. “Following January” means the January after an October/March start where appropriate. Part-time RD5 entries retain the source’s wording about the “second calendar year of study” because that phrase needs clarification.
RD4
| Start | Degree | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | MRes/LLMRes | 30 November | 3 January |
| October | PhD | 31 January | 31 March |
| October | Prof. Doc | Not applicable | 31 March |
| October | DBA | Not applicable | 31 March |
| March | MRes/LLMRes | 30 April | 31 May |
| March | PhD | 30 June | 31 August |
| March | DBA | Not applicable | 31 August |
RD5
| Start | Degree as listed | Full-time | Part-time | Maximum words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | MRes | 31 January | 31 March | 4,000 |
| October | PhD | 31 July | 31 January (“second calendar year of study”) | 6,000 |
| October | Prof. Doc | Not applicable | 31 January (“second calendar year of study”) | 6,000 |
| October | DBA | Not applicable | 31 January (“second calendar year of study”) | 6,000 |
| March | MRes | 30 June | 31 August | 4,000 |
| March | PhD | 3 January | 30 June (“second calendar year of study”) | 6,000 |
| March | DBA | Not applicable | 30 June (“second calendar year of study”) | 6,000 |
Confirm your actual dates
- The RD5 tables omit LLMRes. Ask your DoS/SRDL to confirm timing and word limit.
- The meaning of the part-time “second calendar year” wording should be confirmed in writing. Regulation D5.7 says confirmation is within 12 months full-time / 18 months part-time. Do not calculate a potentially earlier date from the phrase alone.
- For non-standard starts or study breaks, the DoS calculates the adjusted date and agrees it with the SRDL.
- Graduate Training Assistants follow the PhD milestone timetable, not a proportionately delayed four-year timetable.
- PhD by Published Works is exempt from RD4/RD5.
See Source differences and clarifications. These are not personalised calendar calculations.
Sources: Framework §§4.3–4.4, pp. 41–43; Regulation D5.7. Framework tables · Regulatory timing.
RD4 proposal review · RD5 confirmation review · Reviews and deadlines