Examination
Notice of Intention to Submit The Thesis
updated
You are required to give three months notice of your intention to submit your thesis for examination. This allows time for the examiners to be nominated by your School and their consent to examine the thesis obtained. Notice is provided on the form 'Notification of Intention to Submit' and must be accompanied by a one page summary of your thesis. The summary will be provided to potential examiners, to assist them in deciding whether or not to accept the invitation to examine your thesis.The Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS)
updated
The AHEGS is a Commonwealth initiative that has been introduced to assist in both national and international recognition of Australian qualifications and to promote international mobility and professional recognition of graduates. The Graduation Statement is additional to other documentation such as degree certificates and academic transcripts and is based on nationally agreed specifications approved by the Government.The Exit Survey
The University is committed to improving the quality of the educational experience for its higher degree by research students. In an effort to determine the views of completing students and in doing so, to identify ways in which the University can improve its programs and support structures, all research students are required to complete an exit survey prior to submission of their thesis for examination.Appointment of Examiners
The examination of a Higher Degree by Research thesis is complex. Examiners must judge your understanding of a body of existing knowledge, your approach to research, construction of hypotheses, arguments and analyses. Students have a special relationship with their examiners, who will become their peers if the degree is awarded, so the selection of examiners is therefore of critical importance.Your Right to Object to Potential Examiners
Around the time of giving notice of your intention to submit your thesis, your supervisors may discuss the names of potential examiners.Submission
updated
Three printed copies of the thesis are required for examination purposes, together with an identical electronic copy in portable document format (PDF) on disc. Any supplementary material included in your thesis e.g. musical performance must be digitised and provided in duplicate on disc. The printed copies may be soft-bound or hard-bound (soft-bound is recommended).Time Spent Under Examination
Examiners are asked to complete the examination and provide their reports within four weeks of receiving a thesis. In practice, as examiners are busy people with many other commitments on their time, a turnaround time of approximately eight to ten weeks is normally expected - To expedite the examination process, the Adelaide Graduate Centre reminds examiners if their reports have not been received by the due date and follows up with additional reminders where necessary.Examiner Recommendations
In addition to their written reports, examiners of doctoral theses are asked to nominate one of the following categories of recommendation:- Award of degree
This recommendation indicates that the thesis presented is of the standard required for the degree and that no amendments are required. - Award of degree subject to the specified amendments
This recommendation indicates that the thesis presented is of the standard required for the degree after the specified amendments have been made to the satisfaction of the University. Specified amendments may include the rewriting of paragraphs, clarification of results, minor additional explanations, the addition of tables and figures etc; minor amendments of spelling, grammar or referencing may additionally be required. - Not be awarded the degree but be permitted to resubmit the thesis in a revised form
A recommendation of revise and resubmit indicates that the thesis is not acceptable for the award of the degree in its current form and that a major restructuring or rewriting, (possibly requiring additional research to first be undertaken) is required to raise the thesis to the required standard. - Not be awarded the degree
This recommendation indicates that the thesis presented is not of the standard required for a doctorate.
Dean's Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence
Where an examiner has recommended that the degree be awarded with or without amendment (recommendation categories 1 or 2), they are also asked to indicate whether the thesis is outstanding and deserves a special commendation from the Dean of Graduate Studies.Doctoral Research Medals
The University awards up to 15 Doctoral Research Medals for the highest quality PhD theses examined each year. Medals are presented at the relevant April Graduation Ceremony in the year following the one for which the medal was awarded, or privately by appointment. Recipients are eligible for V.I.P. seating for three guests.Consideration of the Examiners Reports
It is important to remember that the final outcome of your examination will be determined by the Research Education & Development Committee (REDC) and not by the examiners. In making the final determination, REDC will consider all the examiners reports provided, together with the recommendations of your School and the Faculty Higher Degrees Committee, where applicable.Outcome of the Examination
updated
The Graduate Centre will convey the outcome of the examination to you and your supervisors and Head of School in writing.
