Examination and Completion
Thesis requirements
The results of the research in a higher degree by research program are presented in a thesis or its equivalent in another medium. The thesis must meet specific criteria for the type of degree: PhD, professional doctorate by research or masters by research. Information about Preparing for Thesis Submission is available on-line and by contacting the Research Students Office and the relevant Faculty/Research Centre.
The thesis must also comply with requirements in regard to format, length, content and other matters.
Particular conditions apply in relation to authorship, copyright and intellectual property in the research and thesis.
The examination process
The examination policy for higher degree by research theses is described in Higher degrees by research: policy and procedures (the Gold Book). The process from Intent to Submit to Graduation is represented in the Examination Flowchart. The stages in the examination process are as follows:
- Intention to Submit form is completed and forwarded to the Research Students Office
- selection and appointment of examiners for the thesis, which should be arranged before the thesis is submitted (a minimum of 2 examiners is required)
- submission of the thesis by the candidate with appropriate certification regarding completion and authorship, the following form are required upon submission
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Form C: Retention and Use of Thesis by the University - (PDF) (Word)
- examination of the thesis by a minimum of two suitably qualified examiners external to the University, each of whom submits a report
- the University process to determine the examination result, which normally involves the following procedures:
-the candidate is asked to provide a written response to the examiner’s reports, with additional comment from the supervisor
-the relevant higher degrees committee(s) at Faculty and/or University level considers the examiner’s reports and the candidate’s response and decides what changes need to be made to the thesis, if applicable
-the candidate amends the thesis in accordance with committee decision (up to and including re-examination of a revised thesis if required)
-the committee resolves the final thesis examination result (as an ungraded pass or fail).
Completion of academic requirements for the degree
The relevant higher degrees committee will confirm completion of academic requirements for the degree, including the thesis and any required coursework, and make a recommendation to Academic Board concerning award of the degree.