Overview of thesis examination outcomes
The table below shows the possible outcomes for a PhD or an MPhil examination and the length of
time granted to candidates make corrections to the thesis.
Outcome
Changes to be reviewed by:
Further
examination
required?
Amount of
time to
complete
corrections
No changes
N/A
No
Nil
Changes
Changes are made to the satisfaction of the Chair of
Examiners and the Dean of the Graduate School.
No
3 months
Changes
with review
by
examiner/s
Changes are made to the satisfaction of the
examiner/s, the Chair of Examiners and the Dean of
the Graduate School.
No
3 months
Yes
12 months
This is not a re-examination of the thesis but an
opportunity for examiner/s to check that the
candidate has made the changes requested or
academically defended why changes have not been
made.
Examiners are given two weeks to review changes
Revise &
Resubmit
The candidate will not yet be awarded the degree.
The thesis will be re-examined by the original
examiners (where possible). Each candidate is given
one opportunity to revise and resubmit. A revised
and resubmitted thesis cannot be revised and
resubmitted a second time.
If a candidate has an outcome of revise and
resubmit, when the thesis is examined the possible
outcomes for the thesis differ slightly and include
outcomes 1 to 3 as well as 5 and 6.
MPhil (for a
PhD reexamination
only)
The thesis is not of an appropriate standard for a
PhD but fulfils the criteria for an MPhil.
No
Dependent
on Dean’s
decision
Fail (for reexamination
only)
The thesis is not of the appropriate standard for the
award of any research higher degree
No
N/A