Viva Outcomes
In determining what recommendation to make following the viva exam, examiners should note both the criteria for the award of the degree as well as the possible recommendations permitted under the University's Regulations for Research Degrees.
- Criteria for the award of a Doctoral degree
- Criteria for the award of Master of Philosophy
- Recommendations for Doctoral degrees (PhD, EdD, DClinPsy, DSocSci, DEng)
- Recommendations for Masters Degrees (MPhil, MRes)
Separate advice is available for postgraduate researchers on what happens after the viva exam and what recommendations examiners may make.
Criteria for the Award of a Doctoral Degree
The thesis should demonstrate an original contribution to knowledge and contain work which is deemed worthy of publication although not necessarily in the form presented.
The thesis should be clearly and concisely written, well argued and show a satisfactory knowledge of primary and secondary sources. It should also reflect research which could reasonably have been carried out within three years of full-time registration or the equivalent part-time period.
There should be a full bibliography and where appropriate a description of the methods and techniques of the research.
Criteria for the Award of Master of Philosophy
The same criteria apply except the thesis should be judged as a piece of work which could reasonably have been completed over a period of two years full-time or the equivalent period part-time and the thesis is not required to contain work of publishable quality.
Recommendations for Doctoral degrees (PhD, EdD, DClinPsy, DSocSci, DEng)
| Award of the degree of PhD, EdD, DClinPsy, DSocSci, DEng | This assumes the thesis requires no amendments and is acceptable as it stands for the award of the degree. |
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Award of the degree of PhD, EdD, DClinPsy, DSocSci, DEng subject to minor amendments |
Amendments will be largely typographical or grammatical and may include corrections to references and diagrams. They may also involve the re-writing of small sections. |
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Award of the degree of PhD, EdD, DClinPsy, DSocSci, DEng subject to major amendments |
Where amendments are more extensive and can reasonably be expected to be completed within six months it is likely that award of the degree subject to major amendments is an appropriate recommendation. |
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Referral for resubmission for the degree of PhD, EdD, DClinPsy, DSocSci, DEng |
Where the work involved includes further research or the extensive re-writing of large sections of the thesis, it is likely that the thesis will be referred for resubmission. The examiners should indicate whether there is a specific time limit - with a minimum of six months and a maximum of twelve months. Where there is a choice between a recommendation for resubmission or the award of a lower degree the examiners may, if they so wish, take account of the candidate’s preference. |
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Award of the degree of MPhil/MEd/MSocSci* |
The thesis does not meet the criteria for the award of a doctoral degree. However, it is acceptable as it stands for the award of a Masters degree - an MPhil (in the case of PhD candidates), an MEd (in the case of EdD candidates), or an MSocSci (in the case of DSocSci candidates). |
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Award of the degree of MPhil, subject to minor amendments* |
The thesis does not meet the criteria for the award of a dcotoral degree, but in the case of PhD candidates, does meet the criteria for the award of MPhil subject to completion of minor amendments. |
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Referral for resubmission for the degree of MPhil (for PhD candidates only)* |
The thesis needs further research and/or extensive writing before it can be examined for the award of a lower degree. It is deemed that even with revisions the work will not meet the criteria for a doctoral degree. |
| Fail* |
* These recommendations carry the automatic right of appeal, as the recommendation is for award of a degree, lower than that for which the candidate submitted.
Recommendations for Masters Degrees (MPhil, MRes)
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Award of the degree of MPhil/MRes with distinction |
This assumes the thesis requires no amendments and is acceptable as it stands for the award of the degree. The award of a Masters degree with distinction can be made in cases of exceptional merit. |
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Award of the degree of MPhil, MRes |
This assumes the thesis requires no amendments and is acceptable as it stands for the award of the degree. |
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Award of the degree of MPhil, MRes subject to minor amendments |
Amendments will be largely typographical or grammatical and may include corrections to references and diagrams. They may also involve the re-writing of small sections. |
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Award of the degree of MPhil, subject to major amendments |
Where amendments are more extensive and can reasonably be expected to be completed within six months, it is likely that award of the degree subject to major amendments is an appropriate recommendation. |
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Referral for resubmission/re-examination |
Where the work involved includes further research or the extensive re-writing of large sections of the thesis it is likely that a thesis will be referred for resubmission. The examiners should indicate whether there is a specific time limit - with a minimum of six months and a maximum of twelve months. |
| Fail* |
* This recommendation carries the automatic right of appeal.
