Regulations for Research Degrees 2025-26

1.2 These Regulations will also apply to students funded by a Mayflower Scholarship, and include the following additional requirements:

• A Mayflower Scholar will spend 25% of their candidature undertaking an apprenticeship consisting of appropriate professional development and educational experience such as acting as a teaching assistant.
• Every Mayflower Scholar will be allocated a member of staff able to provide mentoring, appropriate professional development, and management and expectation setting in relation to the teaching undertaken by the Mayflower Scholar.  This member of staff may be part of, or outside of, the supervisory team responsible for the student¡¯s research.
• A Mayflower Scholar will take part in an individual assessment of their training needs with regard to their teaching apprenticeship at the commencement of their studies.
• A Mayflower Scholar who does not wish to continue with their teaching apprenticeship may transfer their candidature to a standard-route PhD (or MPhil) programme subject to adequate funding being available.
• If the performance of a Mayflower Scholar in their teaching apprenticeship does not meet the agreed expectations, they may transfer to a standard-route PhD (or MPhil) programme subject to adequate funding being available. 

1.3 These Regulations must be read in conjunction with: 

• the Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidature and Supervision [referred to from here on as ¡°the Code of Practice¡±];
• the Regulations Governing Special Consideration and Pause in Study for Postgraduate Research Students;

• the University¡¯s Doctoral Programme Profile (or in the case of degrees with a substantial taught element, the programme specification);
• Any relevant Academic Regulations.

1.4 The Senate may award the degree to students who have successfully pursued a programme of study as detailed within these Regulations to the satisfaction of the Faculty Education and Student Experience Subcommittee.  Any exemptions, variations and additional requirements to these Regulations will be stated in the Academic Regulations.

2.2 Only suitably qualified and prepared applicants will be admitted to degree programmes leading to the award of a University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ research degree. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the motivation and potential to undertake and complete a sustained piece of research for examination.

2.3 As a minimum, applicants for a University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ research degree will normally be expected to possess one or more of the following: 

• an undergraduate honours degree, normally with at least upper second (2i) honours classification (or equivalent) in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution
• a master¡¯s level qualification (or equivalent) in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution
• evidence of prior professional practice or learning that meets the University¡¯s criteria and good practice guidelines for accreditation of prior experiential and/or certificated learning, as set out in the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy

2.4 Some programmes may have additional entry requirements. All programme-specific academic entry requirements will be published in the postgraduate prospectus and on course webpages. 

2.5 Applications from individuals with other non-standard qualifications must be approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on a case-by-case basis.

2.6  Applicants may be admitted on transfer from another higher education institution according to the guidelines set out in section 4 of the Code of Practice (Selection and Admission of Research Students: Transferring from another institution). 

2.7 Applicants satisfying the requirements for candidature may be admitted provided the Faculty Director of the Graduate School (or, in accordance with the criteria specified in the Code of Practice, their approved nominee) is satisfied with their chosen subject for research, that there is access to appropriate resources and facilities, and that, at the point of acceptance, there are satisfactory supervisory arrangements in place for the applicant.

2.8 In approving the acceptance of an applicant, the Faculty Director of the Graduate School (or their approved nominee) shall agree the effective starting date which, in exceptional circumstances, and within legal and regulatory bounds, may be backdated by no more than three months.

2.9 These Regulations apply to all students registered at the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ, irrespective of the location in which they undertake the work of their degree.

3.1 All students shall undertake supervised study on a full-time or part-time basis as specified in section 9 of these Regulations (Duration of Research Degrees).  The degree shall be pursued in the University except in the case of students for whom joint supervisory arrangements have been approved, students on Distance Learning programmes, or in other special cases where the Faculty Graduate School Subcommittee permits a period to be spent elsewhere. 

3.2 Students¡¯ personal and professional development needs, including transferable skills, are assessed through the initial completion and ongoing maintenance of an Academic Needs Analysis. All students are required to participate in a training programme which addresses research, generic and transferable skills. Such training will include elements which are mandatory for progression through the doctoral research programme, as well as training that is required by the University, but not mandatory for progression, e.g., equality, diversity and inclusion training. 

3.3 The Faculty Graduate School Subcommittee may approve arrangements for an individual student to receive supervision provided jointly by the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ and another institution in accordance with the policy on Research Degrees that include Periods of Off-Campus Study. In such cases, the Faculty Graduate School Subcommittee may permit a period or periods of study to be undertaken at the other institution. The minimum period of full-time study at BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ shall be twelve months for a student of a jointly-supervised research degree with an approved institution.

3.4 The University may, from time to time, formally admit an appropriate institution to a special relationship for the purpose of furthering co-operation in teaching and research. An individual holding an academic or research appointment in such a link institution may be registered in part-time candidature for a research degree. Such individuals will normally be expected to meet the terms and conditions as specified within the Regulations for Members of Staff in Candidature for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

3.5 In accordance with the Regulations for Members of Staff in Candidature for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, a member of staff of the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ may be admitted to part-time candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) on the recommendation of the Faculty Graduate School directorate and with the approval of the Associate Dean (Education), in their capacity as Chair of the Faculty Education and Student Experience Subcommittee, and following consultation with the relevant Head of School or Professional Service.

3.6 A student in candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy may be permitted, at any time prior to the submission of the thesis, to request a transfer to a programme leading to the degree of Master of Philosophy. The period spent in candidature up to the point of transfer will be counted towards the period of candidature required for the degree to which the transfer is made. Details of the permission required to transfer to other programmes will be detailed in the Academic Regulations.

4. Pause in study

4.1 A student must continue in registration for their research degree until such time as they submit their thesis or withdraw, except where a pause in study is permitted in accordance with the Regulations Governing Special Consideration and Pause in Study for Postgraduate Research Students. The maximum continuous pause in study period permitted during candidature will be in accordance with the Change of Programme, Pause in Study, Withdrawal and Termination of Study Regulations. In the case of a funded student, due regard should be given to funder rules governing pause in study. Periods where study is paused shall not count towards the maximum period of candidature.

4.2 A student who pauses their study is expected to pause work on their research project (or other work associated with their programme of study) and should not receive supervision, but will typically retain access to email, library facilities and the Student Hub.

5. Extension of Candidature 

5.1 The minimum and maximum periods of candidature as specified in section 9 (Duration of Research Degrees) of these Regulations should be strictly adhered to. Extensions of candidature beyond the maximum period specified will be permitted only in accordance with the Regulations Governing Special Consideration and Pause in Study for Postgraduate Research Students and the relevant fee will be charged in accordance with the student¡¯s enrolment status.

5.2 Due regard should be given to limits or conditions placed on extensions by a student¡¯s funding body on the expectation of submission within a specified funding period, together with any penalties or sanctions which may apply to the University or the student if a funded student is permitted to extend their study period.

6. Withdrawal and Termination of Candidature

6.1 The Change of Programme, Pause in Study, Withdrawal and Termination of Study Regulations apply to all students registered at the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ. In addition, the Procedures for circumstances that may lead to termination of postgraduate research degree candidature apply specifically to research students and cover circumstances where:

• termination of candidature is proposed as a result of a recommendation from a Progression Review
• termination of candidature is proposed as a result of failure to undertake the expected responsibilities of a student
• termination of candidature is proposed due to lack of contact or failure to return from an approved pause in study period
• termination of candidature is proposed as a result of failure to submit material for a second attempt at a progression review by the required deadline or as a result of failure to submit a thesis by the end of the maximum period of candidature

7. Additional Requirements for Professional Doctorates

7.1 Professional doctorates including the Doctor of Education [EdD], Doctor of Clinical Psychology [DClinPsych], Doctor of Educational Psychology [DEdPsych], Doctor of Clinical Practice [DClinP], and the Engineering Doctorate [EngD], shall additionally contain a combination of taught compulsory and/or elective modules, individual and/or group projects, and the preparation of a thesis. The combination of these elements, including specific pass marks, are detailed in the Academic Regulations. A student who fails to complete these requirements will be deemed by the relevant Faculty Education and Student Experience Subcommittee to have failed the degree.

7.2 Further guidance regarding the structure of professional doctorates can be found in The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, 2nd edition, updated February 2024 and in the Code of Practice (Doctoral Degrees with a Substantial Taught Element).

8. Additional Requirements for Integrated PhDs

8.1 Integrated PhDs are typically structured as follows, with any specific exemptions, variations or additional requirements detailed in the Academic Regulations:

• The early stage of the programme (the taught phase) requires students to complete a prescribed set of modules which are assessed under the Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Postgraduate Master¡¯s Programmes regulations and, regarding progression to the research phase of the programme, under the relevant Academic Regulations for the programme.
• Students¡¯ attainment of the academic requirements to progress to the research phase of the Integrated PhD will be considered at the relevant Board of Examiners and those who complete the prescribed set of modules and pass the required assessments at the specified standard will be permitted to proceed to the research phase of the programme. Where the Board of Examiners determines that a student has not met the requirements to progress, they will have such options for Referral and Repeat as set down in the Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Postgraduate Master¡¯s Programmes and the relevant Academic Regulations for the programme.
• On occasion, and where defined in the relevant Academic Regulations, an interim award of MA, MSc or MRes may be given.  In the event of failure to achieve the required standard to progress to the research phase of the programme, and where stated in the Academic Regulations, students may be eligible for an exit award of a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip), subject to the completion of further academic work.
• The research phase of the student's programme will be devoted to supervised research and preparation of a thesis and may include the completion of further modules, training and development activities.

8.2 The Integrated PhD Policy sets out the requirements associated with the development, approval and operation of an Integrated PhD programme at the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ.

9. Duration of Research Degrees

10.1 Every student shall be assigned a supervisory team which will consist of at least two supervisors from the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ. At least one member of the team (the co-ordinating supervisor) should be a permanent academic member of University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ staff. The supervisory team should be chosen to provide adequate academic expertise, and additional supervisors may be appointed to provide the required specialist advice. At least one member of the supervisory team must have prior experience of supervising a student for the majority of their candidature through to successful completion of a doctorate. Supervisors must be active researchers in the appropriate discipline and should normally themselves have a PhD or equivalent substantial research experience, experience of publication, and expertise in the area of the student¡¯s research. (Section 10: Responsibilities of the Supervisory Team) of the Code of Practice sets out the responsibilities of the supervisory team.

10.2 The main supervisor has responsibility for the supervision of the design and progress of the student¡¯s research project and for providing academic advice to the student. The main supervisor should be available to provide guidance and direction on a regular basis.

• 10.2.1 The main supervisor will be an academic member of University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ or University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ Malaysia (UoSM) staff, or a senior member of honorary clinical staff either in the Faculty of Medicine or the Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, and should have an employment contract with the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ that is valid for at least the maximum remaining period of the student¡¯s candidature.
• 10.2.2 An academic member of University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ staff on probation may not be appointed as a main supervisor unless they have supervised at least one other student for the majority of their candidature through to successful completion of a doctorate, and that there is sufficient capacity and resource to provide an alternative supervisor if the proposed main supervisor does not successfully complete their probationary period.
• 10.2.3 A member of staff in formal candidature for a higher degree should not be appointed as a main supervisor.
• 10.2.4 An individual with Visiting Professor or Fellow status (as defined in the Visitors to the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ Policy) may not usually be appointed as a main supervisor unless:
  • affiliated to the University (i.e. officially connected with the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ by a formal agreement) through working in an organisation such as the National Health Service (NHS), the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), or through an approved partnership in a doctoral training award; and
  • they have supervised at least one other student for the majority of their candidature through to successful completion of a doctorate; and
  • the Visiting Professor or Fellow status is valid for at least the maximum remaining period of the student¡¯s candidature.
• 10.2.5 An Emeritus Professor or Fellow may not be appointed as main supervisor.

10.3 The co-ordinating supervisor is responsible for ensuring that administrative processes (e.g., those relating to progression reviews; examinations) are completed in a timely manner throughout the student¡¯s candidature, including where time is spent on placement. The main supervisor will typically undertake the role of the co-ordinating supervisor but, if not, the co-ordinating supervisor may actively participate in the supervisory team membership as a second or co-supervisor..

• 10.3.1 The co-ordinating supervisor will be a permanent academic member of University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ or University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ Malaysia (UoSM)staff.
• 10.3.2 An academic member of University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ staff on probation may not be appointed as co-ordinating supervisor.
• 10.3.3 An Emeritus Professor or Fellow may not be appointed as co-ordinating supervisor.

10.4 Second supervisors and co-supervisors actively support the main supervisor in providing guidance on the research project and academic and non-academic support to the student. Second and co-supervisors may have more expertise in some areas of the research project than in others.

• 10.4.1 Second and co-supervisors may either be academic members of University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ or University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ Malaysia (UoSM) staff, or be affiliated to the University (i.e. officially connected with the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ by a formal agreement) through working in an organisation such as the National Health Service (NHS), the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), or through an approved partnership in a doctoral training award, or have a formal research collaboration intrinsic to the student¡¯s research project.
• 10.4.2 Second and co-supervisors who are not academic members of University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ staff should have a Visiting Professor or Fellow appointment, or an honorary contract.
• 10.4.3 Second and co-supervisors should be approved by the Faculty Graduate School Subcommittee as having close links with the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ and the student's programme of study.

10.5 External advisers can be added to the supervisory team in order to provide specialist expertise or if a funder requires it. 

• 10.5.1 External advisers will work for other organisations not affiliated to the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ and will not have a Visiting Professor or Fellow appointment.

10.6 Any student undertaking a research degree which includes a substantial taught element will be assigned tutor(s) relevant to that phase of the degree. These tutors are not excluded from forming part of the student¡¯s supervisory team.

12.1 Nominal registration is a process that must be requested by the student and supported by the main supervisor.  The Faculty Director of the Graduate School may permit a full-time student to transfer to nominal registration for a period not exceeding six months (twelve months for a part-time student) prior to submission of the thesis. In supporting the application, the student¡¯s main supervisor must be able to confirm that: 

• the minimum period of candidature, as detailed in these Regulations (section 9: Duration of Research Degrees), has been completed;
• confirmation/upgrade has taken place (in the case of a doctoral level student);
• all research (including experimental/laboratory work) and/or data collection has been completed;
• no further supervision of the research is required;
• the structure of the thesis has been agreed and that the supervisory team has seen a significant part of the thesis in draft form and has provided feedback;
• a definite date for submission has been agreed with the supervisory team and this date is not beyond the existing maximum length of candidature;
• the prescribed programme of taught modules has been successfully completed as required in the Academic Regulations.

12.6 Periods of nominal registration count towards the maximum period of candidature.  A student¡¯s candidature will be reduced by the equivalent period should they transfer to nominal registration more than six months before the end of their maximum period of candidature (twelve months for a part-time student).  Furthermore, a student may not have transferred from full-time to part-time candidature within the previous six months of the request to transfer to nominal registration. 

12.7 A student may be permitted to pause their study when in nominal registration in accordance with the provisions set down in section 4 (Pause in Study) of these Regulations. 

13.1 After completion of the minimum period of candidature and successful completion of the Second Progression Review (Confirmation of Doctoral Candidature), a student may submit their thesis for examination. The Submitting your thesis ¨C a guide for research students provides instructions on the process to be followed.

13.2 Where a student has transferred from another institution to the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ, submission of the thesis is not permitted earlier than 12 months from the date of transfer, even if the student has already had their doctoral status confirmed at their previous institution.

13.3 Alternative formats of thesis submission may be permitted in certain disciplines as detailed in the Code of Practice (section 17 Production and Submission of the Thesis:Alternative formats of thesis submission). 

13.4 A student who is about to submit a thesis shall give at least two months' prior notice of their intention to submit to the Doctoral College (Faculty) Team and shall include the full title of the thesis with their notification. The two months' notice may not include periods where study is paused. Advice should be sought from the Doctoral College (Faculty) Team regarding the date by which the student must give notice of intention to submit should they wish to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ. 

13.5 The submission shall be made by no later than the end of the maximum length of candidature permitted for the degree; (excluding periods where study is paused). In cases where there have been periods of full-time and part-time candidature, the maximum permitted period of candidature shall be proposed by the Doctoral College (Faculty) Team, and agreed by the Faculty Director of the Graduate School as outlined in the guidance Determining the maximum period of candidature when changing between full- and part-time study.  Where periods of extension are approved in accordance with the Regulations Governing Special Considerations and Pause in Study for Postgraduate Research Students, these will be added to the student¡¯s maximum period of candidature. 

13.6 With the exception of restrictions on access as defined in these Regulations, research work submitted as a thesis for a research degree shall be openly available and subject neither to security classification nor to restriction on access. A student may publish the whole or part of their work prior to its submission as a thesis, provided that in the published work it is nowhere stated that it is in consideration for a research degree. 

13.7 In exceptional circumstances, access to a thesis may be restricted through embargo by the Faculty Director of the Graduate School in their capacity as Chair of the Faculty Graduate School Subcommittee, where such restriction is regarded as desirable on commercial grounds, pending publications or patent applications, or as necessary to maintain confidentiality, national security, and the safety of those involved in the research (e.g. students, supervisors and participants). The period of restriction shall be determined by the Faculty Director of the Graduate School but shall normally not exceed three years from the date of examination (or twelve months for pending publications). The period of restriction may be subject to extension in some circumstances and will require the approval of the Director of the Doctoral College. The period of extension may not exceed one year in duration. Once approved, each instance of approval of restriction of access to a thesis should be reported by the Doctoral College (Faculty) Team to the University Library, via the deposit thesis process. The University Library will maintain a master list of thesis embargoes which should be presented annually to the Doctoral College Committee.

13.8 On submission of their thesis for examination, a student shall be required to sign a Declaration of authorship, which will be bound into the thesis. This declaration will state that the thesis is the result of work done wholly or mainly while the student was in candidature at the University of BOBÌåÓýµÇ¼ÍøÖ·_Å·±¦ÌåÓý¹ÙÍøƽ̨-APP|ÏÂÔØ; that where the thesis is based on work done by the student jointly with others, a substantial part is the original work of the student; and the extent to which the thesis incorporates material already submitted for another degree. 

13.9 A thesis may not exceed 75,000 words in length in the case of a PhD, or 50,000 words in the case of an MPhil.  A thesis submitted for an MPhil after a PhD examination is not subject to a maximum length of 50,000 words but must not exceed 75,000.  Where appropriate, a higher word limit for a specific discipline  (or an individual student) may be approved (as detailed in the Code of Practice(section 17: Production and Submission of the Thesis for Examination: Maximum length of thesis). The maximum length does not include supporting material or evidence which may be bound in as appendices.  Appendices should be clearly marked as such and listed on the contents page.  If appendices are submitted in separate volumes, they must be prepared and bound in the same style as the thesis.  All supporting material or evidence will be available to the examiners and will form part of the record.  A student who exceeds the word limit without prior approval of the Faculty Director of the Graduate School, may be required by the examiners to resubmit in a form which does not exceed the stipulated length. 

15.1 For the award of the research degree, the student must have demonstrated that they have met the criteria as set down in the Code of Practice (section 3: The Higher Degrees of Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy).

15.2 The student must satisfy the examiners in both the thesis and the viva voce. The student may fail the examination because of the thesis, the viva voce, or both.

15.3 The examiners shall recommend one of the following courses of action. For a student studying for a research degree with a substantial taught component, recommendations (a) to (f) will also be subject to the satisfactory completion of the taught element of the degree. 

(a) That the degree for which the student has submitted is awarded. 

(b) That the degree for which the student has submitted is awarded subject to minor amendments to the thesis being made by a date specified. 

• Such amendments include: minor errors/omissions of substance, typographical errors, occasional stylistic or grammatical flaws, corrections to references, minor changes to figures, and minor changes to layout, and require no new research. These amendments need only be certified by the internal examiner.
• The date specified for the submission of the minor amendments should normally be no later than three months after the formal notification to the student.
• The examiner is permitted, on receipt of the amended thesis, to request that the student make one further attempt to complete the required amendments but these should only address points raised in the original examination process (e.g. when a student has failed to make all amendments required to the satisfaction of the internal examiner).  This further attempt should be completed and submitted within a timescale specified by the internal examiner, which should be no longer than the timescale given for the first attempt. If, following this further attempt, the examiner¡¯s view is that the amendments have not been completed to the standard required for the award, the matter will be referred to the external examiner, whose view is final.  If the external examiner concurs with the internal examiner¡¯s view, a recommendation for a fail should be made.

(c) That the degree for which the student has submitted is awarded subject to the correction of modest amendments to the thesis being made by a date specified.

• Such amendments include: modest errors/omissions of substance and may require limited further analysis but only to an extent which will not affect the originality of the central thesis.
• The amendments will be of a scale to be certified by both the internal and external examiners, though will normally not be so extensive that an additional viva voce is required.
• The date specified for the submission of the modest amendments should normally be no later than six months after the formal notification to the student.  Should the examiners wish to request a longer time period (of nine months), an academic rationale should be provided for consideration by the Faculty Director of the Graduate School.
• The examiners are permitted, on receipt of the amended thesis, to request that the student make one further attempt to complete the required amendments but these should only address points raised in the original examination process (e.g. when a student has failed to make all amendments required to the satisfaction of the examiners). This further attempt should be completed and submitted within a timescale specified by the examiners, which should be no longer than the timescale given for the first attempt. If, following this further attempt, the view of all examiners is that amendments have not been completed to the standard required for the award, a recommendation for a fail should be made. 

(d) That the student is required to attend an additional viva voce within three months of the date of the original examination. 

(e) That the student is required to submit, by a date specified, a revised thesis for the same degree for re-examination (including attendance at an additional viva voce) on one subsequent occasion.

• The date specified for submission of the revised thesis should normally be no later than twelve months after the formal notification to the student. The student will be liable to pay a re-examination fee at the time of submission as set out in the Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations. As a fee is payable, the Doctoral College (Faculty) Team should inform the Student Fees Team when a student has been asked to submit a revised thesis.

(f) That in the case of a student who has failed to satisfy the examiners, and where the Master of Philosophy is available as an exit award, they are invited to apply, by a date specified, for that award in accordance with one of the following recommendations:

• (i) that the degree of Master of Philosophy is awarded (as per (a) above);
• (ii) that the degree of Master of Philosophy is awarded subject to minor amendments to the thesis being made (as per (b) above);
• (iii) that the degree of Master of Philosophy is awarded subject to modest amendments to the thesis being made (as per c) above); 

In such circumstances, the submission must meet the criteria for the award of Master of Philosophy.

(g) That the degree for which the student has submitted is not awarded, resubmission is not permitted, and the research degree is terminated.