Examination process

Candidates for PhD and MPhil research degrees are examined by means of submission of a dissertation. The following information outlines the steps involved in the examination process and the requirements in regard to format, length, content and binding:

Step 1	One month prior to submitting a dissertation for examination, candidates shall give written notice to the Dean of the Faculty of their intention to submit a dissertation for examination. Such notice shall include: the full title of the dissertation a countersignature, and certification from your principal supervisor that the candidate has completed all preliminary studies prescribed for the degree.
Step 2	A Faculty representative will contact prospective examiners and forward the following documentation to the Office of Research and Higher Degrees (ORHD) at least one month before the anticipated submission of the dissertation for examination: completed Nomination of Examiner's Form(*PDF 87Kb) with documentation to support each nominated examiner's qualifications.
Step 3	Depending on the research degree being examined, candidates must submit either: four temporary bound copies of a Masters dissertation five temporary bound copies of a doctoral dissertation and the following forms to the Office of Research and Higher Degrees (ORHD): Candidate Information Form (PDF 67Kb) Statement by Supervisor (PDF 61Kb) Candidates should note: when preparing a dissertation for examination, they should adhere to the dissertation guidelines candidature shall end once the dissertation is submitted once the temporary bound dissertations are received, the ORHD will forward an acknowledgement of receipt back to them.
Step 4	The ORHD forwards an examination report form with a copy of the dissertation to the nominated examiners. The examiners are asked to return their reports within eight weeks.
Step 5	When all of the examiners' reports have been received, they are forwarded to the Dean of the Faculty with a copy of the dissertation. The Faculty is required to make a recommendation on the examiners' reports.
Step 6	The examiners' reports and the dissertation are returned to the ORHD with the Faculty's recommendation. These are then forwarded on to the Chair, Research and Higher Degrees Committee to make a University decision based on the examiners' reports and Faculty's recommendation.
Step 7	Once a decision has been made, the ORHD will forward a letter of advice to the candidate to advise on the outcome of the examination.

Further information

Further information regarding the rules for the examination and award of research higher degrees is available in section 5.15 of the University Calendar which outlines the University's policies and procedures.

*This file is in Portable Document Format (PDF) which requires the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy of Acrobat Reader may be obtained from Adobe. Users who are unable to access information in PDF should email: orhd@usq.edu or telephone +61 4631 1438 to obtain this information in an alternative format.