13.1 The supervisors shall propose examiners and the final thesis title to the Research Degree Committee for approval on form RDC-E. This should be done at least 3 months before the expected date of submission of the thesis or in the case of a practiced based research degree, the date of the physical element of the examination.
Exceptionally where the thesis is submitted prior to the approval of examination arrangements, Supervisors must ensure that the examination team is appointed no later than 2 weeks after submission has taken place. The examination may not take place until the examination arrangements have been approved. In special circumstances the Research Degree Committee may act directly to appoint examiners and arrange the examination of a candidate.
To note, the viva date must not be arranged prior to the submission of the thesis for examination, the Internal examiner will organise the date for the viva once all the examiners have received a copy of the thesis and all the necessary documents.
13.2 In cases where the research degree involves creative work and the candidate is submitting work in other than written form, the application for approval of examination arrangements shall contain a statement of the format of the candidate’s creative work and the proposed methods of assessment.
13.3 Where there is evidence that the research has proceeded exceptionally well, the Research Degree Committee may approve the thesis being submitted in less than the minimum period of registration as specified in Section 7.
The minimum period of registration will not normally be reduced by more than 6 months. The request for early submission should be made by the Director of Studies on behalf of the candidate with the application for approval of examination arrangements. If approval is required before the appointment of the examiners, the Director of Studies should email the Research Degrees Team, setting out the reasons for the request for an early submission.
13.4 If the nature of the research necessitates the thesis being held on restricted access for a period of time up to a maximum of 2 years after completion of the work and approval of this was not sought at the time of registration, the request for confidentiality should be made with the application for approval of examination arrangements.
13.5 All examiners who are about to examine a candidate who has requested that the thesis be held on restricted access should complete the Confidentiality Agreement (RDC-CA) and submit it with the application for approval of examination arrangements.
13.6 At final submission of the thesis, candidates may request that the thesis is held on restricted access to enable them to exploit their work. This must be done by completing the RDC-Decl RADAR form and submitting it with confirmation that the electronic copy of the final approved thesis has been uploaded to RADAR.