AUT - Doctoral degrees

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The examination process starts before the thesis has been completed. In order to avoid any unnecessary delays in the examination process, supervisors are asked to ensure that when a thesis is submitted the examiners have already been arranged and are willing to act.

• Formatting and presentation
• Appointment of examiners
• Lodging your thesis
• Examination timeframe
• Examiners reports
• Oral examination Process
• Recommendation

Note: the content provided is a summary only. A full description of guidelines and processes can be found in the AUT University Postgraduate Handbook.

Formatting and presentation

The thesis or dissertation should be a word processed paper document. This section outlines the layout structure required for a thesis.

In the case of theses incorporating creative, non-written work, an exegesis must accompany the visual work. This generally requires a minimum of 3000 words. Students should consult with their supervisor.

Paper size

Theses/dissertations are to be typed on International Standard Organisation (ISO) A4 size white bond paper. If diagrams, maps, tables and similar presentations do not fit on this sheet size, ISO B4 size may be used. B4 size pages are to be folded and bound so as to open out at the top and the right.

Typing

Font size: 12 point

Typing is to be on one side of each sheet only, with the pages numbered consecutively throughout the thesis/dissertation. Typing is to be spaced either double or space-and-a-half with the exception of quotations, footnotes and bibliographies which are to be single spaced.

The following minimal margins are to be observed:

• Left - 4 cm
• Top and bottom - 2 cm
• Right - 2 cm

Appointment of examiners

Once the recommended examiners are approved, the University Postgraduate Centre on behalf of the University, formally invites the examiners to confirm their willingness to act in this role and their ability to provide a report within the specified time frame (usually eight weeks from receipt of the thesis).

It would be expected that the formal invitation would take place prior to the thesis being submitted and with sufficient time to call on reserve examiners, or to arrange new examiners if the original nominees are for some reason unable to undertake the role.   

In the case of a visual submission presented at an exhibition, the travel arrangements will be organised by the University Postgraduate Centre  in conjunction with the programme leader, respecting the confidentiality of examiners.

Lodging your thesis or dissertation

A thesis for examination is lodged with the faculty postgraduate office accompanied by a completed 'Lodgement of Thesis/Dissertation for Examination' form.

Lodgement of the copies of the thesis and form needs to be approved by the Associate Dean (Postgraduate), or delegated authority and then forwarded to the University Postgraduate Centre for examination.

Examination timeframe

Examiners are asked to provide their reports within a timeframe of eight weeks. Students should be aware that examiners are not always able to complete their reports according to this timeframe and that it is a guideline only. The University Postgraduate maintains contact with the examiners to monitor progress.

Students may contact the University Postgraduate Centre to enquire about the progress of the thesis examination. Students should be aware however, that no information (verbal or written) will be given about the recommendations of the examiners until such time as deliberations on the outcomes of the examination process have been completed.

Students and supervisors must not attempt to communicate in any way with the examiners once the thesis has been lodged. Students should also be aware that in order to graduate at one of the University's graduation ceremonies, the examination process and consideration of recommendations by the University Postgraduate Board must be completed at least six weeks before the ceremony.

Examiner’s reports

Each examiner is asked to comment on:

• The overall performance of the candidate in relation to peers on comparable programmes
• The appropriateness of research methodology used
• The depth and breadth of coverage of the subject matter concerned
• The presentation of the thesis
• The quality of the knowledge and skills (both general and subject specific) demonstrated by the candidate

Examiners are also asked to identify specific questions to be asked of the candidate at the oral examination.
 
All examiners' reports are treated as strictly confidential and will be distributed to the members of the Examination Panel. There is no discussion between the examiners, supervisor(s) and the candidate prior to the oral examination.

All examiners' reports will be released to the candidate after the oral examination.

Oral examination process

Candidates will be required to present in person for an oral examination. The purpose of the oral examination is to:

• Examine the candidate's original contribution to knowledge in their chosen discipline or field of study
• Examine the candidate's critical judgement and understanding in order to distinguish between the candidate's contribution and any contributions from other sources to the thesis
• Enable the candidate to coherently and competently defend their thesis

A pre-meeting will be held with the Convenor, primary supervisor and candidate, prior to the actual examination. At this meeting the Convenor will explain the oral examination process to the candidate and the identity of the examiners is disclosed. Normally the examiners' reports and questions are not provided prior to the oral examination. There must be no direct communication between the candidate or primary supervisor and any of the examiners.

The Convenor will chair the oral examination, ensuring that the questions raised in the examiners' reports are put to the candidate during the examination. At the conclusion of the oral examination the Panel will  advise the candidate of the outcome.

Recommendation

There are a number of possible outcomes from the examination process and the examiners and the Examination Panel are required to identify the one recommended as the most appropriate for the candidate. The outcomes are:

• That the candidate be awarded a doctoral degree
• That the candidate be awarded a doctoral degree subject to the candidate making editorial amendments only (as identified by the examiners) to the satisfaction of the Convenor of examiners in consultation with the supervisor
• That the candidate be awarded the degree subject to the candidate making amendments (as identified by the examiners) to the satisfaction of the Convenor of examiners in consultation with the supervisor and/or examiner(s) as appropriate
• That the candidate be required to revise and re-submit for further examination within a specified time
• That the thesis is not of an acceptable standard and the degree not be awarded

The determination of the University Postgraduate Board will be conveyed in writing to the candidate by the University Postgraduate Centre. It is the practice of the University that the content of examiner reports will be made available to the candidate after the oral examination.


 
 

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