Examination outcome

The examiners are required to complete and return a report form to Research Student Administration Team with their independent report on the thesis, their final recommendation and list of any corrections. The final recommendation may require the approval of the University’s Research Progress and Awards Sub-Panel.

You will then be notified by e-mail by the Research Student Administration Team of the outcome of the examination and will be sent copies of the examiners’ reports and list of any required corrections/revisions. 

A range of recommendations are open to the examiners. You may be asked to make corrections or revisions to your thesis and if so, the examiners’ report forms will provide details of these. You may have been given information at the oral examination about the required corrections or revisions. You should make sure that you understand the nature of them and discuss them with your supervisor.

A range of recommendations are open to the examiners. You may be asked to make corrections or revisions to your thesis and if so, the examiners’ report forms will provide details of these. You may have been given information at the oral examination about the required corrections or revisions. You should make sure that you understand the nature of them and discuss them with your supervisor.

Award the degree

You have met the requirements for the degree. You will not need to make corrections or revisions.

Minor corrections

Your thesis is acceptable, but corrections, usually typographical, changes in phraseology, corrections of faults in subsidiary arguments, are required. 

For more information, see the corrections webpages.

Major corrections

Your thesis is acceptable, but corrections, such as rewriting sections, correcting calculations or clarifying or amending arguments, are required.

For more information, see the corrections webpages.

Revise and resubmit for same/lower degree

You will not have met the requirements for the degree. Substantial revision will be required to your thesis, such as rewriting sections, introducing significant new material, undertaking further experiments, calculations or research or profound corrections of an argument. The same examiners will normally examine the revised thesis. There is no guarantee that the revised thesis will meet the required standard for the degree.

For more information, see the revise and resubmit webpages.

Award lower degree without corrections

Your thesis and/or your performance in the oral examination were not satisfactory for the qualification for which you were registered, but were satisfactory for the award of a lower qualification. You have the right of appeal against this recommendation. 

Award lower degree with corrections/revision

Your thesis and/or your performance in the oral examination were not satisfactory for the qualification for which you were registered. However, with corrections or revisions, you may ultimately reach the standard required for the award of the lower qualification. You have the right of appeal against this recommendation.

For more information, see the corrections webpages.

Reject without resubmission

Your thesis and/or performance in an oral examination (if appropriate) is unsatisfactory. In the view of the examiners, there is no reasonable prospect of you being able, in a reasonable time, to revise your thesis or improve your performance in the oral examination, to merit the award of the degree or a lower qualification. You have the right of appeal against this recommendation.