Intention to Submit Research Theses [MPHIL, LLM, RES & PhD]
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING GUIDANCE NOTES BEFORE COMPLETING THE FORM
ALL RESEARCH STUDENTS SUBMITTING OR RE-SUBMITTING THEIR THESIS MUST COMPLETE THIS FORM
The intention to submit form should be completed and returned to the Graduate School at least 3 months before the thesis is submitted.
Students and departments should be aware that completing the form less than one month prior to sending the thesis to the Graduate School or with missing or incomplete information may result in a delay in dispatching the thesis to the examiners.
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Submission Documents
Submission Documents:
Submission documents outlining the procedures and containing the required forms for submission with the thesis are available online at: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/academic-registry/students/pg-issues/research/theses-sub-proc/
* Submission forms must also be completed in the instance of a resubmitted thesis.
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Early submission of thesis within registration period
Students and staff are reminded that PhD theses may only be submitted a maximum of 6 months prior to the formal end of registration period. The regulations permit students to submit prior to the end of their registration period but fees are still due for the remaining period of registration. If you are considering submitting before you enter your abeyance period please contact the Academic Registry for confirmation of your earliest permitted submission date.
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Criteria for examination as a Staff candidate
The underlying principle governing the examination of students as staff candidates is that a research candidate should not be examined by academic colleagues in order to prevent conflicts of interest. Students to be examined as staff candidates, with two external examiners, are to include all members of staff, academic or otherwise. This group is also to include any student who is likely to apply for a post in AU or is to be appointed to a post at the time of the examination (including students on the Welsh Medium Postgraduate Scholarships Scheme whose Post-Doctoral year has been confirmed). This does not apply to postgraduate students who undertook hourly-paid teaching as Graduate Teaching Assistants. Any variation to the above is at the discretion of the Head of the Graduate School. Departments are advised to contact the Head of the Graduate School or the Academic Registry for guidance in marginal cases. Aber Doc Teach Studentship holders will be examined as staff candidates with two External Examiners.
Criteria for Examiners:
1. Nomination of External Examiners should be made in accordance with the Academic Quality Handbook . They must be aware of the nature and purpose of the degree for which the candidate is being examined and must possess specialist knowledge and expertise in the subject of research. Other criteria for appointment are set out in the Academic Quality Handbook. In addition External Examiners should not be appointed where they have had extensive contact with the candidate. Where they have had significant contact, details of the nature of the contact should be made known to the Head of the Graduate School for consideration during the appointment process. Further information is contained in the notes of guidance for examining boards and Intention to Submit form.
2. Right to Work in the UK : Under the 2006 Immigration, Nationality and Asylum Act the University has a duty to prevent illegal working by carrying out document checks to confirm that a person has the right to work in the UK. Departments should confirm that their proposed examiners have the right to work in the UK before nominating an examiner. External Examiners NOT Eligible to work in the UK may not be appointed.
The internal examiner should normally:
• be a full-time member of staff from the student’s department(s) but may be drawn from a cognate department where appropriate or required. Part-time may also be appropriate if they are suitably experienced;
• hold a PhD;
• have experience of supervising at least one PhD student to successful completion.Disclosure of contact with nominated examiner:
Students must disclose if a nominated external examiner has ever advised them on their research or commented specifically on the work that they are submitting towards this examination. If so, please give details of the nature of the contact. This does not apply to students resubmitting to the reconstituted original examination board.
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Dispatch of Thesis
Theses may not be dispatched directly to Examiners by supervisors/students or departmental administrators. This applies to both submissions and formal full resubmissions.
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Criteria for appointment of Viva Voce Chairs
For appointments from January 2016 onwards ALL viva chairs must have attended the mandatory training sessions held by the Graduate School. Training sessions are held periodically throughout the year. For details of the next available training and names of staff who have attended the training session please contact the Graduate School: graduate.school@aber.ac.uk
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What to do with this form
Students should complete Part A of this form and forward the entire form to the Post-Graduate Co-ordinator in their department for completion of Part B who will then return the completed form to the Postgraduate Research staff in the Graduate School.
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