Considering the Thesis
Examiners will read through the thesis, and then each prepare an initial independent report. The reports are comprised of two sections:
- a series of specific Yes/No questions which link to the University's assessment criteria for research degrees (which are found in the University's Core Regulations for Research Degrees by Thesis or Composition or, for students undertaking Professional Doctorates, in the Core Regulations for Professional Doctorates);
- a free text section for qualitative information.
The free text section typically identifies issues for exploration or clarification at the oral examination, or during the conferral process. Once examiners have completed these reports, they will share them with each other, and send copies to the Academic Support Office.
The initial individual reports should not be shown to the candidate or the candidate’s supervisory team(s) in advance of the oral examination. The individual reports are confidential to the University and, following the examination, will be sent to the candidate’s supervisory team but not to the candidate