1. Research Degree Independent Chair Workshop 4 April 2019

2. Formal Criteria for choosing examiners
Formal Criteria for choosing examiners. Adapted from the SHU Regulations

3. Examiners Size and composition of examining team
A candidate must be examined by at least two and normally not more than three examiners
At least one must be an external examiner.
Examiners must be experienced in research in the general area of the candidate's thesis and (where possible) have experience as a topic specialist
At least one external examiner must have substantial experience of examining research degree candidates.
Where this is not possible RDC may exercise its discretion in ensuring the team has relevant experience
No candidate for a research degree may act as an examiner.

4. Examining Team R13.1 Size and composition of examining team
A candidate must be examined by at least two and normally not more than three of whom at least one must be an external examiner. The examining team must have suitable experience and expertise, be unbiased, and be clearly independent of the supervisor, of the student, and of each other in order that no conflicts of interest arise.

5. Internal examiners External Examiners Examining team
An internal examiner is defined as an examiner who is a member of staff of the University (or candidate's Collaborating Organisation).
Members of the supervisory team cannot examine that candidate.
When candidate and internal examiner are both from the same organisation, a second external must be appointed to ensure objectivity prevails in the examination.
External Examiners
External examiners must be independent of SHU/ Collaborating Organisation.
Must not have acted as the candidate's supervisor or adviser
Former members of staff or students normally not approved until three years after termination of association with SHU.
RDC ensures that external examiner is not approved so frequently that familiarity might prejudice objective judgement.

6. Setting up the examination Adapted from the SHU Regulations

7. The examiners
The Director of Studies must seek RDC approval for the examination arrangements (the examining team and thesis title):
Normally no later than four months before expected date of submission of thesis.
The examination may not take place until the examination arrangements have been approved by RDC (or chair)
Briefing of examiners:
SHU Student Systems and Records (Research Degrees) staff in Registry Services sends thesis to each examiner, together with the examiner's preliminary report form, with regulations and briefing guidelines.

8. The examiners (cont) Completion of examiners’ preliminary reports
SHU Student Systems and Records (Research Degrees) staff in Registry Services ensures examiners have returned preliminary reports normally 1 week before the oral takes place.
Each examiner must consider whether the thesis provisionally satisfies the requirements of the degree, and where possible, make an appropriate provisional recommendation subject to the outcome of any oral examination.

9. Preparation for examination
Student Systems and Records (Research Degrees) staff in Registry Services notifies the candidate of the procedure for submission of the thesis and any conditions.
The Director of Studies has responsibility to agree the date, time and location of the examination.
In some faculties this process may be undertaken by the Research Administrator
SHU Student Systems and Records (Research Degrees) staff in Registry Services will notify the candidate, supervisors and the examiners of the date of the oral examination.

10. Submission of the thesis Adapted from the SHU Regulations

11. Submission of the thesis
The candidate must ensure that the thesis is submitted to SHU Student Systems and Records (Research Degrees) staff in Registry Services - based in the Oneleven Building at City Campus
The submission of the thesis for examination is at the sole discretion of the candidate.
Although a candidate would be unwise to submit the thesis against the advice of the supervisors, it is his/her right to do so.
Candidates should not assume that a supervisor's agreement to submission guarantees the award of the degree. 
The candidate must satisfy any conditions of eligibility for examination required by the University.

12. Submission of the thesis
The candidate must take no part in the arrangement of the examination and must have no formal contact with the external examiner(s) between the appointment of the examiners and the oral examination.
The candidate must confirm, that the thesis has not been submitted for a comparable academic award
The candidate will not be precluded from incorporating in the thesis work which has already been submitted for a degree or comparable award, provided that it is indicated, on the declaration form and also in the thesis, which work has been so incorporated.

13. Format of the documentation
The candidate must ensure that the format of the document/s as submitted for examination and as finalised following examination, is in accordance with the requirements of the University's regulations
The Research Degree Thesis Guidelines provide information to candidates on all research degrees about the thesis submission and formatting requirements

14. Final Thesis
the University now promotes the submission and preservation of e-theses as the final Version of Record instead of the previously required hard-bound purple copy
Candidates will need to complete a Thesis Deposit Agreement (TDA) and submit it together with the electronic version of record of their thesis as a PDF/A file to
Candidates who complete a practice-based research degree with supporting creative outputs should submit these to Student Systems and Records (Research Degrees). SSR staff will forward them to the Library who will store these in the Library Special Collections.

15. E-theses
E-theses will be made available via the University's Research Archive (SHURA, and an electronic copy of the thesis will also be included in the British Library Electronic Theses Online Service (EThOS The candidate's Director of Studies is responsible for sending a link to the thesis to any Collaborating Organisation
The Research Degree Thesis Guidelines also include information on embargo periods, confidentiality and copyright.
Further guidance is available from the Library at