S.L. 327.101 Art. 44Examination of doctoral theses. Re-numbered and

(1) The examination of doctoral theses shall take place in two stages:

(a) submission by the student and preliminary assessment by the Board of Examiners; and

(b) oral defence of the thesis.

(2) In assessing a thesis, the Board of Examiners shall require:

(a) evidence that it represents a significant contribution to knowledge in a particular field of study;

(b) evidence of originality;

(c) evidence of the ability of the student to relate the subject matter of the thesis to the existing body of knowledge;

(d) evidence of the ability of the student to apply research methods appropriate to the subject; and

(e) a satisfactory level of literary presentation.

(3) Each examiner shall submit an independent preliminary report to the Chairman of the Board of Examiners. In the report, each examiner shall consider whether the thesis provisionally satisfies the requirements for the award of the Ph.D. Degree and where possible, make an appropriate provisional recommendation subject to the outcome of the oral examination.

(4) The Board of Examiners shall admit the student to an oral examination after either approving the Ph.D. thesis unconditionally or subject to the correction of minor errors to the satisfaction of the Principal Supervisor.

(5) If the Board of Examiners is not satisfied with the quality of the thesis, it shall not admit the student to the oral examination and shall either -

(a) refer the thesis back to the student for major revision and resubmission within a minimum of six months and a maximum of twelve months in revised form to the satisfaction of the Board of Examiners; or

(b) not permit the student to resubmit in a revised form but admit the student to an oral examination for the award of the M.Phil. Degree instead; or

(c) refer the thesis back to the student for major revision and re-submission within six months in a revised form to the satisfaction of the Board of Examiners for the award of the M.Phil. Degree instead; or

(d) not grant permission to resubmit and state that no degree be awarded, provided that permission as in paragraphs (a) or (c) is granted once only.