The course for first year students provides structured sessions for MPhil students (e.g. the MPhil/PhD process, ethics, risk). It also provides the forum in which first year full-time and second year part-time MPhil students must present their work to fellow students and staff in advance of submitting their major review (upgrade) document.

The course for second and third year students provides the forum where third year full-time (or equivalent) PhD students must present their work to fellow students and staff in advance of submitting their third year review document.