The outcome of the viva (oral examination)
The examiners' recommendation will normally be given informally to the candidate (and the supervisor if attending) immediately after the viva (but no more than 24 hours afterwards).
Possible recommendations
After the viva, the examiners must produce a joint report which outlines their recommendation. The recommendation of the examiners is subject to final approval by the Graduate Boards Examinations Group, which must consider the examiners report at its next meeting. The examiners will inform the student (and the supervisor if in attendance at the examination) of the recommendation they are sending forward on the thesis.
Referral: Where the thesis is potentially of a standard to merit the award of the degree but it does not, at this stage, satisfy the requirements for award. The student will be required to revise their thesis, which may entail further research or any other activity required by the examiners, and resubmit this to Postgraduate Research and Operations for re-examination.
Please see the referral and resubmission page on the SES student site for further guidance.