Research Degrees & Scholarships Office
Instructions to Examiners

Instructions are issued to Examiners appointed to report on applications for the full range of postgraduate research programmes at Leeds.
The Instructions cover the responsibilities and duties of Examiners prior to, during and following the oral examination of the candidate. Guidance is given for completing the requisite forms for the examination of a first submission, and also for the examination of a resubmission*.

The Oral Examination
On the first occasion that a thesis is submitted the Examiners must, in all cases, conduct an oral examination at which candidates are required to present themselves and answer questions posed by the Examiners. The role of the oral examination is to ensure that:

    • - the work reaches the University standards for the degree;
    • - the work has been written by the candidate;
    • - the work is understood by the candidate.

Details of the criteria for the award of different degrees are set out in the separate Instructions to Examiners (below).

The Instructions to Examiners vary according to the Programme of Study, as follows:
PhD opens in a new window
EdD opens in a new window
DClinPsychol opens in a new window
DPM opens in a new window
MD opens in a new window
MPhil  opens in a new window
Mastership by Research (All )opens in a new window

The Internal Examiners' Checklist opens in a new window is intended to provide further advice for Internal Examiners who are responsible for ensuring that the examination follows the University's procedures. The Checklist provides details of the arrangements for the oral examination (including requisite paperwork) and offers examples of best practice in the completion of examiners' report forms.

Supporting Disabled PGR students:
Disabled PGR students and their supervisors and examiners can access a wide range of support from the Disability Team. A link to the Guide for Examiners published by the Equality Unit can be found on the Supporting Disabled PGR students page.

Enquiries

Thesis Submission & Examination
Telephone: +44 (0) 113 343 4003
Email: rp_examinations@leeds.ac.uk