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Quick Guide to the Examination Process

• The student submits to the Research Degrees Officer a copy of the abstract and final title of thesis approximately two months before the anticipated submission date. An "acknowledgement of abstract" letter will be sent along with a copy of the "Student/Supervisor Declaration" form.


• The supervisor is asked to nominate three examiners for a PhD, or two examiners for MPhil, DPsych, EdD, and LLM. At least one of these examiners should preferably be international and all must be external to the University. The nomination must include written acceptance from each examiner, a short list of recent relevant publications and information about position held and reasons for the nomination.
• The R&D Board will formally appoint the examiners or seek further information from the supervisor, if required.


• Candidates must submit three temporarily bound copies for PhD (two temporarily bound copies for MPhil, DPsych, EdD, and LLM) and one loose leaf copy of their thesis to the RDO along with the signed "Student/Supervisor Declaration" form. A receipt for the thesis will be issued.


• The thesis will be promptly despatched to the appointed examiners.


• Students may contact the RDO to find out how the examination process is coming along. It is recommended that it is left for approximately 6 weeks before any contact is made.


• On receipt of all reports the R&D Board will make a decision on award of degree. If one examiner's report is divergent, the supervisor will be asked to comment on all reports for the benefit of the Board. If two or more reports are divergent, both the student and supervisor will be asked for comment.


• Following a decision of the R&D Board the student and supervisor will be advised in writing of the outcome and be sent copies of the examiners reports. Information regarding permanent binding and graduation will also be included.


• Students make the necessary corrections and/or revisions to the thesis and the supervisor then submits the "Acknowledgement of Completion of Amendments" form and a report on the project and examination for Academic Council. The thesis is then sent for permanent binding and the student distributes the copies in accordance with the regulations.


• If the thesis is to be revised and resubmitted, the same procedures will apply except that the R&D Board will decide on which examiners will be invited to re-examine the thesis. The RDO will write to these examiners to determine their willingness to act as examiner again.

Examination Procedure Flowchart

Policy on Oral Examinations for Doctoral Candidates

This page was last updated on Friday, October 23, 2009 10:16