Following on from a recent posting regarding the 18-month stage, Ive noticed that there seems to be some real variation regarding what you guys are having to hand in for the MPhil/PhD transfer panel.
Im having kittens cos my Uni wants 3 chapters (ie 30,000 words) for my transfer panel, which seems a lot. Is anyone else having to submit this much?

That really sounds a lot. We only got to write a 5k report outlining our progress to date, yet with evidence attached in appendices.

Mine wants at least 2 chapters which should not be less than 25,000 words. I'm only 5 months in, but yes, it seems quite a lot

I meant 25,000 words altogether, not 2 chapters of 25,000 words each!

Probably similar to you zelda - no definate guidelines, but expected to have several chapters in draft (although in reality most students don't upgrade until most of the thesis is written)

around 15 000 word research project, including well developed literature review

I've just completed my transfer report. My Dept. wanted a 10K report (lit. review, methods, evidence of empirical research to date and plan of future work). 3 chapters worth??! Eeek!