Information for Examiners

Research students are normally examined by two and not more than three examiners, at least one of whom is an external examiner.

The examiners must:

be qualified in a relevant discipline

have appropriate research expertise

have supervisory experience

Prior to the oral examination, examiners must read the thesis and write independent preliminary reports.

On the day of the oral examination, examiners must meet at least half an hour before the oral examination to discuss and agree the format of the oral examination

After the oral examination, the examiners must submit a joint recommendation report including a list of any revisions or amendments if required.

The oral examination must be chaired by an independent chair who is responsible for ensuring that the University's regulations are followed and the examination process is fair. The independent chair does not examine the thesis.

Click here for guidance for internal examiners

An independent chair is:

always necessary

required to be an experienced researcher

required to be an experienced supervisor

ordinarily required to be an experienced examiner

not required to be an authority on the topic

not required to be qualified in a relevant discipline

Click here for guidance for independent chairs

The relevant Academic Regulation pdf's can be found here:

5 Research Degree Regulatory Framework

5.1 Click here for Research Degrees Awards framework

5.2 Research Degree Regulations:

Click here for MPhil, PhD, PhD

Click here for PhD by Prior Output, DLitt, DSc

5.3 Click here for Regulatory framework for Professional Doctorate programmes

10.6 Click here for Procedures for the Conduct of the Research Degree Oral Examination