Submitting and Defending the Thesis

When the thesis is complete the student must submit two softbound copies of it to the Graduate Studies Office for examination. Regulations governing the formatting and submission of theses can be found on the Graduate Studies Office webpage.

The Examiners

The thesis is read by an internal examiner and an external examiner. The internal examiner will be a member of the Department other than the student's supervisor. It will be the job of this examiner to evaluate the thesis in the context of its contribution to the profession as a whole. The external examiner will be from another institution and will have detailed professional knowledge of the thesis topic. It will be the task of the external examiner to provide an expert assessment of the philosophical merits of the thesis.

In the interest of maintaining objectivity in the examination process, it will be the full responsibility of the Departmental Postgraduate Coordinator, who will consult with the student's supervisor and the Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate) to choose an external examiner for the thesis. Clearly a student may have views on who is best to serve as external examiner, and students are encouraged to discuss this with their supervisors well in advance of the date of final submission; the student's supervisor will then discuss the matter with the Departmental Postgraduate Coordinator who will make the final decision. Under no circumstance are students to approach and ask any potential examiners of their willingness to serve on the examination committee.

The 'Viva'

Once the thesis has been read by both examiners, an oral examination (a viva voce) will be held. The viva is usually held within twelve weeks of the thesis submission. The examination usually lasts about two hours, and in it the examiners may ask questions on any aspect of the thesis and the themes with which it deals. The student's supervisor is not usually present during the oral examination, although a student may request that his or her supervisor attend the examination. The viva is chaired by the Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate), or his or her nominee (usually a director of a discipline or other senior academic). To prepare for the viva the student should read through his or her thesis, a copy of which should be brought by the student on the day of the examination.

Outcomes

Examination of the thesis will result in one of the following outcomes.

1. The thesis passes as it stands.
2. The thesis passes after minor corrections have been made (the internal examiner must certify that these corrections have been made before the final thesis is submitted and the degree awarded).
3. The thesis requires major revisions, and must be re–submitted for examination; in this event the examination procedures outlined above will be repeated.
4. A lesser degree (such as a master's degree) should be awarded.
5. The thesis fails outright.