Before the thesis is submitted 

• » The thesis must be submitted at the end of the standard period of study and within the maximum period of study for the degree on whichthe student is registered
• » Well in advance of the date the candidate intends to submit the thesis (at least 4 months): candidates and supervisors should begin thinking about the process for examination entry and identifying appropriate examiners for the thesis.

Entering for Examination

• » At least 3 months before the candidate wishes to submit – the candidate must fill out the Examination Entry Form and pass it to their Supervisor for completion
• »The Supervisor should consult the eligibility criteria for the appointment of Internal and External Examiners and approach potential Examiners.
• » Once informal agreement to act has been obtained the supervisor should complete the form with the nominations and send it to the PGR Tutor for counter-signature.
• » The form is then sent to RSA for checking the eligibility of the proposed examiners before the Examinations Group reviews and approves the recommendations for the appointment of Examiners.

Submitting the thesis

• » Candidates must deposit the correct number of copies of thesis in the correct format and appropriate binding (soft binding recommended at this stage) at the Student Services Centre Counter where they must sign a Statement of Academic Integrity Form
• » RSA checks the format of the thesis and dispatches the thesis to Examiners (normally within 2 working days). If the Examination Entry Form was not received in RSA at least 3 months before thesis submission there could be a delay with the thesis being sent out to the examiners.

The Oral Examination

• » The Internal Examiner makes arrangements for the oral examination. The examiners are asked to accept a timescale of 3 months in which to complete the oral examination (6 months for MD).
• » The candidate attends for oral examination. The Supervisor may be an observer at the examination (if the candidate wishes) but if not present is required to be available for consultation if necessary.
• » The Examiners informally notify candidate of the result (usually within 24 hours). One of the following results will be given: Pass* (or Pass subject to the correction of minor editorial corrections or stated minor deficiencies**); Referral or Fail***

After the oral examination

• » The Examiners prepare an Examiners’ Report on the examination which is passed to the Postgraduate Research Tutor in the School for review before forwarding to RSA.
• » The report of the Examiners is considered at the next Examinations Group meeting. In all cases the Examiners’ recommendation is subject to final approval by the Examinations Group at its meeting.
• » Candidates recommended for the award of the degree with no corrections can arrange for their thesis to be hard bound in accordance with the format and presentation regulations and complete their Thesis Deposit Form
• » Candidates that have passed subject to minor errors or stated minor deficiencies should begin their corrections immediately after the oral examination and return them to the Internal Examiner by the 4 or 12 week deadline for checking and approval, along with their completed Thesis Deposit Form
• » Once the Internal Examiner has approved the corrections the candidate can arrange for their thesis to be hard bound.
• » Referred candidates will receive Notes for Guidance to aid them in preparing for resubmission. These must be submitted with the Examiners’ Report for approval by the Graduate Board’s Examinations Group at one of its meetings. The Notes will be issued to the candidate by RSA after approval by the Examinations Group.

Deposit of final thesis

• » All candidates should complete the Thesis Deposit Form which specifies for the library whether your thesis can be made immediately available or whether a restriction on access might be necessary. This must be checked and countersigned by the Supervisor and Postgraduate Research Tutor.
• » The final hard bound version of the thesis (including any approved required corrections) should deposited at the Student Services Centre with a completed Thesis Deposit Form and, for e-thesis submission, a CD Form and CD.

Publication of Pass List

A candidates name will be published on a pass list after:

• » the examiners’ report has been approved by the Graduate Board’s Examinations Group at one if it’s meetings;
• » RSA has received confirmation that the internal examiner is satisfied that any corrections required to the thesis have been completed (normally by his/her signature on the Thesis Deposit Form);
• » RSA has received the final, hard bound version of the thesis along with the fully completed and signed Thesis Deposit Form;
• » For candidates commencing study from September 2009 onwards, RSA has also received the final version of the thesis in pdf eThesis format
• » all debts to the University have been paid - this includes payments of all fees and fines, and returning all library books

Graduation

• » Candidates are eligible to graduate in absentia or at a degree ceremony.  Candidates must register their preference online.

• * The possibility of an award with distinction is also available to those being examined for MPhil or Mastership by Research
• ** 4 weeks from the date of the oral examination for minor editorial corrections, 12 weeks from the date of the oral examination for stated minor deficiencies
• ***Candidates submitting for a PhD may be recommended for the award of MPhil if they fail to achieve the standard for the award of a PhD but satisfy the criteria for the award of the degree of MPhil. They may also be referred for resubmission for MPhil or may fail with no possibility of resubmission.