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You should submit two softbound copies of your dissertation to the Postgraduate Examinations Office, either in person or by post.
Candidates in the Faculty of Engineering ONLY, should additionally submit an electronic copy of their thesis via Blackboard. Instructions for this can be found on the Graduate School of Engineering web pages
You should keep the Postgraduate Examinations Office informed of any change of address.
You will need to submit two copies of your dissertation to the Postgraduate Examinations Office.
Two examiners will have been appointed, at least one being an external and independent examiner and one normally being a member of the academic staff of the University. Neither the internal nor the external examiner will have seen your work prior to the first examination of the dissertation. The examiners will read your dissertation and one of the examiners (normally the internal) will arrange a suitable time and place for the oral examination, giving you at least ten days notice in writing.
You will normally be expected to undergo an oral examination, chaired by the external examiner. You may request formal written feedback from the internal examiner following the examination. If they wish, with the agreement of the student and the head of department, the examiners may arrange for the student’s supervisor or supervisors, or another observer requested by the student, to attend the examination. Supervisors or observers may not contribute to discussion during the oral examination.
The examiners will return the examined dissertation or published work to you at the end of the examination.
The examiners’ will produce reports covering both the content of your dissertation and your performance in the oral examination. The report should enable the Research Degrees Examination Board to assess the scope and significance of your work.
The examiners may make their recommendation known to you, but they must make it clear that the final decision rests with the Research Degrees Examination Board.
If the examiners require minor corrections, for example relating to typing, spelling, grammar, punctuation or inadvertent omission, examiners should make it clear to you exactly what corrections are required.
You will not receive any official notification at this stage.
The Research Degrees Examinations Board meets on around six occasions per year to consider the recommendations of the examiners and to make awards as appropriate.
Candidates will be notified of the result of their examination by post, and awards can also be seen on the web using studentinfo
Candidates who are required, by the Research Degrees Examination Board, to undertake further work on their dissertations will be informed in writing by the Postgraduate Examinations Office following the examination board at which their examiners' report is considered.
If minor corrections are required, for example relating to typing, spelling, grammar, punctuation or inadvertent omission, examiners should make clear exactly what corrections are required. The degree is awarded and candidates are entitled to attend a Degree Congregation, but should complete the corrections within 28 days of notification. Degree Certificates will be withheld unless written confirmation of the corrections is received.
If substantial errors or omissions are to be corrected, examiners must provide clear and comprehensive written guidance for the candidate, which should be separate from the examiners' report. The length of time permitted for corrections is normally six months from the date of the meeting of the Board at which the decision is made. In exceptional circumstances an extension beyond this period may be granted. The examiner(s) should inform the Board, in writing, of satisfactory completion of these corrections.
If candidates are required to resubmit their work for a full re-examination, examiners must provide clear and comprehensive written guidance for the candidate. The maximum length of time permitted for re-submission is normally twelve months from the date of the meeting of the Board at which the decision is made. In exceptional circumstances an extension beyond this period may be granted. To resubmit, candidates must provide two copies of their revised work to the Postgraduate Examinations Office and pay a resubmission fee. The examiners should undertake a full re-examination, including a viva, and provide a second Examiners' Report Form to the Board.
The procedure governing examination appeals is set out in the Examination Regulations. Candidates should note that there is a 21-day time limit for an appeal, which runs from the date of publication of the result. No degree may be conferred while an appeal is outstanding.
For Doctoral Degrees you must additionally submit:
Without the paperwork listed above your dissertation cannot be listed in the University's Library Catalogue or made available on the Library shelves.
You may also be required to submit a hard bound copy of your dissertation to your school or supervisor (If you are submitting your hardbound thesis by post, you may also submit this copy to the Postgraduate Examinations Office and we'll send it on for you in due course).
Hardbound copies should be bound in black. The spine width should not exceed 50mm. On the front cover the title of the dissertation should appear in 18 point gold lettering. On the spine should appear your initials and surname, your degree, volume number (if necessary), and the year of submission, all lettered in 18 point gold. This should run from the top of the spine to the bottom, so as to be readable when the volume lies flat with the top cover uppermost. Larger sheets or printed matter should be placed in a pocket inside the back cover or in a separately bound volume.
The short answer is that there is no one system that is ideally suited to all disciplines and you should consult with you supervisor and check out your departmental handbook to find what is considered best practice in your subject area.
There are, however, some useful good practice guidelines on the Library web site.