The Graduate School normally appoints two Examiners for Doctoral and MPhil examinations who receive the thesis for review in advance of the oral examination. Examiners would then complete their independent preliminary reports, two weeks in advance of the oral examination.
If an Examiner indicates they are unwilling to examine due to the industrial action and they do not submit a preliminary report, the Academic Unit should seek to appoint an alternative examiner. This may result in two External Examiners and there may also be a delay while the new Examiner reviews the thesis.
The normal expectation is that an oral examination is held with two examiners. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a pressing need for the examination process to continue without delay (e.g., if your visa expiry date is approaching, or you have an offer of employment), the Dean of Postgraduate studies may be consulted to give permission for the oral examination to proceed with one examiner plus an Independent Chair (where one Examiner has indicated they are unwilling to participate in an oral examination).
This could be considered where the Examiners have already submitted their preliminary reports and where the two preliminary reports indicate the outcome of the oral examination is likely to be favorable. The Examiner would then complete a one-person joint report to make their recommendation to the Dean of Postgraduate Studies.
In such a case the Dean of Postgraduate Studies would review all available documentation (preliminary reports and one-person joint report) and confer with the Independent Chair to ensure that an adequate examination has been conducted, in advance of confirming the examination outcome, and/or confirming the award of the degree.
Last reviewed: 21 May 2025