PROCESS FOR RESEARCH DEGREE EXAMINATIONS

(MPHIL AND PHD)

Please note that this is a brief summary of what to expect during the examinations process. The University of
London Regulations should also be consulted, and any queries addressed to the Doctoral School Section,
Registry (contact details below).

1. At least three months before a candidate is intending on submitting their thesis for examination, the
appropriate Examination Entry Form (RDE01) and Thesis Submission Forms (RDE03) should be downloaded
from the website or requested from doctoralexaminations@soas.ac.uk

2. The Examination Entry Form (RDE01) should be completed and signed by the candidate and the appropriate
supervisor and returned in hard-copy format to the Doctoral School Section, Registry at least two months
before the intended date of submission. During the examination process the candidate should make sure to
inform the Doctoral School Section, Registry of any changes to your contact address by emailing
doctoralexaminations@soas.ac.uk

3. The candidate should ensure that his/her supervisor has a description of the thesis (of approximately 300
words) as this is required on the form for nominating the examiners.

4. Shortly after receipt of the Examination Entry Form (RDE01), the Doctoral School Section, Registry will email
the Nomination of Examiners Form (RDE02) to the named supervisor.

5. Once nominations are approved the candidate and supervisor will be notified by the Doctoral School Section,
Registry.

6. When the candidate is ready to submit their thesis to the Doctoral School Section, Registry they should, if not
already done so, download the Thesis Submission Form (RDE03) or request it from
doctoralexaminations@soas.ac.uk. This form will need to be submitted at the same time as the two bound
copies of the thesis (see Binding Notes for Research Degree Theses).

7. Once the theses have been received by the Doctoral School Section, Registry, they will be sent to the
approved examiners, and the candidates supervisor will be notified of this and requested to set a date for the
examination.

8. Once the details of the date and time of the viva have been set, the supervisor will notify the candidate,
examiners and the Doctoral School Section, Registry.

9. At the viva, seven possible outcomes are possible (for further details, you should contact the Doctoral School
Section, Registry):
a. pass;
b. pass with minor corrections;
c. not pass, but with major corrections;
d. not pass, but with recommendation of award of MPhil (if sitting for the PhD degree);
e. a recommendation of MPhil be awarded upon satisfactory completion of minor corrections;
f. a recommendation of MPhil to be awarded upon satisfactory completion of major corrections;
g. fail.

10. Should the outcome be pass, then the examiners may notify the candidate and will notify the Doctoral
School Section, Registry. Any result communicated to the candidate during the viva is not formal and final
until notified by the award letter from the Doctoral School Section, Registry. An award letter will be issued to
you within one month of receipt of the examiners reports and the correctly bound theses (see Binding Notes
for Research Degree Theses) .

Doctoral School Section, Registry Visiting address: Postal address:

Doctoral School Section, Registry Doctoral School Section, Registry
SOAS, University of London SOAS, University of London SOAS, University of London
53 Gordon Square Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square
www.soas.ac.uk/registry/pgresearch London WC1H 0PD London WC1H 0XG
 11. Should the outcome be pass with minor corrections, you should ordinarily be notified of this at your viva, and
will be informed as to what corrections are required (normally in writing and normally within four weeks of the
date of the viva), either directly by the examiners, or through your supervisor. The examiners will also notify
the Doctoral School Section, Registry. You should submit your corrected thesis to the person you were
informed would be responsible for confirming that these meet the requirements. The three month period you
have for completing these will be from the date of the results letter to you from the School.

12. Should the outcome be not pass with major corrections, you may be notified of this at the viva, and will
receive a letter from the Doctoral School Section, Registry confirming this, together with copies of the
examiners joint report. You should submit the corrected thesis together with new Examination Entry Forms
for Resubmission (RDE05) to the Doctoral School Section, Registry and will be required to pay the re-entry
fee within a maximum of 18 months of the date of the letter. An extension to this deadline will not be given.

To pay the re-examination fee please go to:

http://store.soas.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?modid=1&prodid=0&deptid=0&compid=1&prodvarid=65&catid=
204),

13. Should the outcome be a recommendation for the award of MPhil (whether with corrections minor within 3
months or major within 12 months, or without) to be made (if you had submitted to the PhD degree), then you
have the choice of accepting this award, not accepting, or appealing against the decision. If you wish to make
an appeal you should contact the Doctoral School Section, Registry for instructions.

14. Should the outcome be fail, then you will not be allowed to re-submit for examination, but do reserve the
right to appeal against this decision. You should contact the Doctoral School Section, Registry for further
information in this eventuality.

15. Your degree diploma will be issued by the Diploma Production Office in Stewart House (refer to the University
of London website for contact details), around three months after your confirmation of award letter date.

16. In order to be included in the July Graduation ceremony, you should have been issued your confirmation of
award letter by May of that year at the very latest.

For all queries regarding the examinations process you should contact the Doctoral School Section, Registry
using the details below.

Doctoral School Section, Registry Visiting address: Postal address:

Doctoral School Section, Registry
SOAS, University of London
SOAS, University of London
53 Gordon Square
www.soas.ac.uk/registry/pgresearch
London WC1H 0PD
Doctoral School Section, Registry
SOAS, University of London
Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square
London WC1H 0XG