Internal examination

Each thesis will be examined by two internal examiners. Within the School of Medicine, these will normally be the Convenor and Tutor of the student’s Review Committee, with the Review Committee Convenor becoming the Convenor of the Examining Committee. Where there is insufficient subject expertise to appoint two appropriately qualified internal examiners, an internal examiner and an external examiner may instead be appointed.  Once the thesis has been submitted, the PGR administrative team will provide the examining committee with the thesis and the relevant examination report forms.  Students must notify the PGR administrative team ([email protected]) once they have submitted their thesis in MMS before it can be released for examination.

The School aims to complete the internal examination process within one month of the thesis being distributed to the examiners, although University regulations allow up to three months for completion of the examination, including external moderation.  If it is not possible to complete the independent examination within one month, examiners should let the PGR team know.

Viva and examination reports

Each examiner assesses the thesis independently and completes an Independent Examiner Report. The Convenor of the Examining Committee is responsible for agreeing a viva date with the student and the other examiner. The PGR administrative team can assist with the practical arrangements for the viva, including booking a room if required. Both Independent Examiner Reports must be submitted to the PGR administrative team no later than five working days before the viva.

Once both Independent Examiner Reports have been received, they will be shared between the internal examiners prior to the viva. The Convenor will also be sent the Joint Report in advance of the viva. Following the viva, the examiners will discuss and agree an outcome from the options set out in the Postgraduate Senate Regulations, and the Convenor will complete the Joint Report on behalf of the Examining Committee and return it to the PGR administrative team.

Further information, including examination report forms, can be found in Moodle at MSc (Res) and MSt (Res) – Guidelines for examination process.

External moderation and outcome

The thesis and examination reports are then moderated by an External Examiner unless an External Examiner has already been involved in the examination of the thesis. Following external moderation, where required, the examination reports are submitted to Registry for approval by the Associate Provost. Once the outcome has been approved, the School will make the examination report available to the student through MMS and Registry will formally notify the student of the approved outcome and any next steps.