Internal Examiners

The University appoints two examiners for all research degree vivas, normally an external examiner and an internal examiner.

Where a candidate is also an academic member of staff at the University and the integrity of the examination may be considered to be compromised by the appointment of an internal examiner, the University will require the appointment of two external examiners and a chair.

A chair may also be required in certain other circumstances, depending on the combined experience of the examining eam.                              

Internal examiners should:

• Be members of the academic staff or recognised teachers of the University with experience of supervising and examining research degrees. Former members of staff - including emeritus professors and readers - are not eligible to act as research degree examiners. If it is necessary to appoint an inexperienced internal examiner, departments should ensure that the external examiner has significant experience of research degree examining.
• Normally have expertise in the area of work to be examined.
• Be experienced in research and have published or have equivalent professional experience.
• Not be the candidate's past or present supervisor - in exceptional circumstances where it is not possible to identify a suitable internal examiner, a second external examiner and chair may be nominated.
• Be familiar with University policies and specifically have knowledge of University regulations for the degree under examination - please see the Regulations for Research Degrees.

Where a proposed internal examiner has no experience of examining research degrees at the University of Leicester, an exam chair will normally be needed.