Examiner Recommendations

In addition to their written reports, examiners of doctoral theses are asked to nominate one of the following categories of recommendation:

1. Award of degree
This recommendation indicates that the thesis presented is of the standard required for the degree and that no amendments are required.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Not be awarded the degree
This recommendation indicates that the thesis presented is not of the standard required for a doctorate.

Master of Philosophy Students

The examiners of Masters theses who recommend outcome 1 (Award of the degree) or 2 (Award of the degree subject to the specified amendments) are additionally asked to nominate one of the following grades in which to pass the thesis:

• High Distinction (90-100)
• High Distinction (85-90)
• High Distinction (80-84)
• Distinction (75-79)
• Credit (65-74)
• Pass (50-64).

To assist them in nominating an appropriate grade, examiners are provided with a set of grade descriptors (Appendix 10). The final grade for the thesis will be determined by the Research Education & Development Committee after consideration of all examiners’ reports and any other relevant documentation, (including coursework results if you are in the mixed research and coursework stream of the Master of Philosophy). The grade will only be used in the event that you apply to undertake a PhD at the University of Adelaide on conclusion of your Masters degree, in which case, it will assist the University to determine your position on the ranked scholarship order of merit list; the grade is for internal purposes only and will not appear on your University transcript or parchment.

Special commendation

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 Medal

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 worthy of consideration for one of the University’s Doctoral Research medals by virtue of being both outstanding and within the top 3% of theses the examiner has assessed.

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 free academic dress hire and V.I.P. seating for up to three guests.