Examination process overview
When you are approaching the end of your research degree, you'll need to start the submission and examination process.
Find out the process and timescales for the submission and examination of your thesis so you know what to expect and how long it's likely to take. Please see the Guide to the thesis submission process (PDF) for more detailed information.
For information about what will change after you submit your thesis, such as your stipend payments and council tax status, see the Between Submission and the Viva page of the For Students website.
During the final year of the standard period of study
A range of support is available for your final year of the standard period of study via online training courses and modules. You can find more information on the Training and research skills page of the For Students Website.
You should familiarise yourself with the expected and maximum time limits for the submission of your thesis on the How long does a research degree take? page of the For Students website. You can check your GRAD record for all milestones dates and contact your Graduate School if you have any questions.
You should also begin thinking about the process for examination entry. You can find out more about the examination entry process on the Examination entry page of the For Students website.
At least three months before submitting your thesis
You should complete and submit the GRAD examination entry workflow. Read more about this process on the Examination entry page of the For Students website.
Your supervisor will approach potential examiners. Once the potential examiners have informally agreed, your supervisor will complete their part of the examination entry workflow with the nominations. The workflow is checked by your Graduate School and Director of Postgraduate Research Studies (DPGRS). It is then sent to Doctoral College Operations (DCO) to check the eligibility of the proposed examiners before the Progression and Examinations Group (PEG) reviews and approves the recommendation.
Proof-reading your thesis
You are permitted to have your thesis proof-read by a third party for submission before examination. Please see the proof-reading policy, on the Research student guidance page on the For Students website. Responsibility for all aspects of the thesis submitted for assessment remains with you as the author of the thesis.
Submitting your thesis
Theses should be submitted via GRAD as a PDF; hard-bound copies are not required. You may upload your thesis to GRAD at any time in the day up to 23:59 on or before your thesis submission deadline, but Graduate School and Doctoral College Operations staff will only be available to assist you during normal office hours. Where the maximum time limit for submission falls on a day when the University is closed because of either a holiday period (for instance a Bank Holiday) or a weekend, the deadline for upload of the thesis to GRAD will be no later than 23:59 the next working day.
Further information is available on the Submitting your thesis page of the For Students website.
Your oral examination (viva)
This will normally take place within three months of your examiners receiving your thesis. Further information is available on The viva page of the For Students website.
After your oral examination (viva)
The examiners will informally notify you of their recommendation (usually immediately after the viva but within 24 hours), and will prepare a report on the viva which is passed to the DPGRS before forwarding to DCO. The examiners’ report is considered at the next Progression and Examinations Group meeting. The examiners’ recommendations are always subject to final approval by that Group.
If you've been recommended for the award of the degree with no corrections, you can prepare and deposit your eThesis.
If you've received a referral, you'll receive guidance outlining the required changes to help you prepare to resubmit. Further information is available on the Referral and resubmission for research degrees page of the For Students website.
Further information about what to do after your viva is available on The outcome of your viva page of the For Students website and After your viva page of the For Students website.
Depositing your final thesis
Once the internal examiner has approved any corrections, you can arrange for your eThesis to be uploaded to White Rose eThesis Online (WREO). Further information is available on Submitting your final eThesis page of the For Students website.
Publication of pass list
Pass lists are published weekly, usually on a Friday. Your name will be published on a pass list after:
- The examiners’ report has been approved at a Graduate Board’s Progression and Examinations Group meeting.
- DCO has received confirmation that the internal examiner is satisfied that you've completed any required corrections.
- You have submitted your eThesis.
- You've paid all your tuition fees.
- Marks have been returned for any taught modules that form part of your programme of study.
After your name has been included on a pass list, your examiners’ report will normally be uploaded to GRAD within ten working days. You will be notified of award of your degree by email and in GRAD.
Graduation
Further information can be found on the Award of your research degree and graduation page of the For Students website.