Research Degree Examiner Role and Responsibilities

The University appoints two examiners (normally one internal and one external) for all candidates for research degrees.

The University may also appoint a Chair for viva exams on the recommendation of the Graduate Dean or at the request of either of the examiners.

Each examiner is expected to play a full part in the examination process and full details of the roles and responsibilities of the examining team is outlined below.

The Internal Examiner

• Is responsible for arranging the viva (including any subsequent viva in the instance where a candidate is referred for resubmission) - this includes organising an appropriate venue and liaising with all parties
• Needs to be familiar with the University’s regulations and possible outcomes of the viva and seek advice if needed, so that appropriate advice can be provided to the external examiner where required
• Undertakes the initial assessment of the thesis and completes a pre-viva report prior to the viva exam
• Conducts the viva and completes all relevant parts of the post-viva joint report
• Coordinates completion of all relevant paperwork with the external examiner/chair and delivers this to the Graduate School Office in a timely manner
• Ensures that (agreed) clear, appropriate, and detailed requirements are produced and attached to the joint report where a candidate is asked to make revisions to their thesis
• Reviews any minor or major revisions to a candidate's thesis and certifies whether the revisions have been completed satisfactorily using the appropriate confirmation of amendments form
• Is responsible for coordinating the completing the joint report paperwork where a candidate is asked to resubmit their thesis
• Attends any subsequent viva exam, if required, following the resubmission of a thesis.

The External Examiner

• The External Examiner plays an important role in ensuring that the thesis and the knowledge displayed by the candidate are comparable to those of candidates being examined for the same degree at another university

• Undertakes an initial assessment of the thesis and completes a pre-viva report prior to the viva exam
• Conducts the viva exam, in conjunction with the internal examiner, and complete all relevant parts of the post-viva joint report
• In conjunction with the internal examiner, ensures that (agreed) clear, appropriate, and detailed requirements are produced and attached to the joint report where a candidate is asked to make revisions to their thesis
• Reviews and certifies whether any revisions that the candidate is asked to make have been satisfactorily completed, and confirms this on the appropriate form, in the instance that a candidate is examined by two external examiners
• Attends any subsequent viva exam, if required, following the resubmission of a thesis

The Exam Chair

• Needs to be familiar with the University’s regulations and possible outcomes of the viva and seek advice if needed, so that appropriate advice can be provided to the external examiner where required and where an internal examiner has not been appointed
• Is responsible for arranging the viva (including organising an appropriate venue and liaising with all parties) and coordinating the completion of all report paperwork where no internal examiner is appointed