MScR examination process

Information on the MScR examination process.

Examination process

The examination of an MSc by Research dissertation is administrated by the College of Science and Engineering College Office.  Once a student submits their dissertation for examination (and the College Office has received the officially nominated examiners) the dissertation will be sent out to the examiners for examination usually within 5 working days.  The examination process is then as follows:

Examiner reports (2-3 months)

The internal and external examiner will each complete one report and submit it to College Office.  The examiners are required to make a joint recommendation to the College Postgraduate Studies Committee.  Once the College Office has received both reports, they will be formally approved by the Postgraduate Research Board of Examiners.

Board of examiners

The College Board of Examiners meets once a month, usually in the second week of the month.  The Board members will look at the examination reports and finalise the recommendations from the examiners.  The decision of the examiners, if agreed by the Committee, will be communicated to the student by letter.
 
The examiners may recommend:
  • Award Pass with Distinction in Masters by Research 
  • Award Pass with Merit in Masters by Research
  • Award Pass in Masters by Research - The dissertation satisfies the requirements for the award of the degree laid down in the Universities Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study and that the degree should be awarded.  No further changes can be made to the dissertation after examination.
  • Award Postgraduate Diploma  - The dissertation is substantially inadequate in one or more of the requirements for the Masters by Research and cannot be revised to satisfy these requirements.  However, the work is of sufficient quality to merit the award of postgraduate diploma or certificate.
  • Fail  - The dissertation is substantially deficient in respect of all or any of the requirements for the degree and cannot be revised to satisfy these or any other research degree.

The College Board of Examiners meeting dates can be found on the College Academic Affairs SharePoint:

College Academic Affairs SharePoint

Award letter

The student will be sent a letter informing them of the outcome of the examination a few days after the Board of Examiners meeting.  The letter will also inform the student if the are eligible to graduate and will include instructions on how to register for graduation.  A copy of the letter is sent to the Principal Supervisor and Internal Examiner.  The College Office will use the mailing address the student provided on their Notice of Intention to Submit form to write to them.  If this address changes, it is the student's responsibility to notify the College Office by updating their address details in their Student Personal Details channel on MyEd. The letter will also be sent electronically to the student's University email address. 
 

Useful documents and links

Postgraduate Assessment Regulations for Research Degrees