A summary of the main steps and timescales for the submission and examination of theses to help you know what to expect.
All examiners will receive instructions which detail the University of Leeds examination process and cover their responsibilities and duties of prior to, during and following the viva.
There are key dates and events to keep in mind while supporting PGRs through the thesis submission process both in the lead up to submission and while submitting the thesis.
After the viva, the PGR must make any necessary corrections to their thesis to the satisfaction of their internal examiner before submitting the final thesis to the University. Please see our Guide to the thesis examination process for more detailed information.
Each examiner should read the thesis carefully and independently of the other examiner(s), bearing in mind the criteria for the award of the degree. Before the oral examination, each examiner must prepare a preliminary report.
The role of the oral examination is to ensure that the work reaches the University standards for the degree; that the work has been written by the PGR and that they understand the work they have submitted.
The examiners' recommendation will normally be given informally to the PGR (and the supervisor if attending) immediately after the viva (but no more than 24 hours afterwards).
After the oral examination, the joint examiners’ report should be completed, signed and countersigned by the Director of PGR Studies then returned to the Doctoral College Operations (DCO) team.
The Progress and Examinations Group ratifies examination results of all postgraduate research degrees and awards those degrees.