S.L. 327.493 Art. 46Examination of dissertations.

(1) The examination of dissertations 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 dissertation.

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

(a) evidence that it represents a significant contribution to knowledge in a particular field of study or in the relationship between theory and professional practice;

(b) evidence of originality; (c)ċevidence of the ability of the student to relate the subject matter of the dissertation to the existing body of knowledge and to current professional practice;

(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 Chairperson of the Board of Examiners. In the report, each examiner shall consider whether the dissertation provisionally satisfies the requirements for the award of the 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 dissertation unconditionally or subject to the correction of minor errors to the satisfaction of the Dissertation Supervisor.

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

(a) refer the dissertation back to the student for major revision and resubmission within six 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 award the student a Master's degree instead; or

(c) not grant permission to resubmit and state that the student has failed the dissertation study-unit.