The Examination Process

Amendments to submitted theses prior to viva:

Candidates may not amend, add, or delete from the thesis after it has been submitted for examination. Submitted theses may not be returned to candidates for improvement prior to the completion of the Examining Board’s deliberations and formal recommendation. A work which cannot be passed as submitted, should be re-submitted formally in modified form for re-examination.

Examiners are requested to notify the Graduate School immediately if they receive draft theses for ‘comment and return’ prior to the commencement of the formal examining process. They should decline firmly any suggestion that a thesis should be returned to a candidate for improvement and re-consideration prior to completion of the Examining Board’s formal deliberations.

Oral Examination (First Submission)

An oral examination (‘viva voce’) is compulsory and you should be available to be examined in this way. Oral examinations will normally be held at the University. If, following the viva, the Examining Board confirmed that you were required to make either Minor Corrections (4 weeks) or Corrections and amendments (6 months or 3 months depending on the degree) to your thesis and have these approved by your examiners before the degree can be awarded. You must meet these corrections deadlines.

Departments/Faculties must report to Graduate School any student that has not completed the corrections within the required timeframe.

Extensions to the corrections deadline will only be approved in exceptional circumstances and when a formal application with supporting evidence has been made to the Graduate School.

Oral Examination (Re-examinations)

In the event of a re-examination, a further oral examination will normally be required. If so, you must be available to attend such an examination which normally will be held at the University.

The viva may only be waived in the instance of a clear pass or other exceptional circumstances. The normal expectation is that the viva must be held in order to allow the student an opportunity to defend their work. A resubmission is treated like a first submission and all documents must be submitted again including the intention to submit form.