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Wolfson Institute of Population Health
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  4. Examiner Nomination and Entry

Examiner Nomination and Entry

The process for examination entry and nomination of examiners is initiated by the student. The student completes part 1 of the online form. In MySIS please click the 'My Details' page on the top menu, and then the 'Progression and Examination' tab. The links to the form and guidance notes are displayed under the 'Examination' heading.

A student and their supervisor should discuss the appropriate timing of examination entry and the nomination of examiners to read the thesis and conduct the viva voce examination before the student completes their part of their form and before submitting your thesis.

There are two examiners for the viva. These two examiners can meet either of the following criteria:

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Examiners should be experts in the field of the thesis but not necessarily in all parts of the precise topic.

If nominating two external examiners, please enter the details of the lead examiner in the section for examiner 1 on the nominations form. Examiner 1 is the lead examiner who takes responsibility for completing the examination outcome form and returning to RDO the form and the examiners’ reports. 

Criteria for Examiners

Examiners for MPhil, PhD, MD(Res), DrPS, DPsych and DClinDent normally fulfil the following criteria:

  • At least one examiner should have experience of examining for a research degree in the UK, and the examiners should have examined at least five research degrees of the same or equivalent level between them. For the MD(Res), at least one examiner should have previous experience of examining for the MD(Res).
  • Nominated examiners must have had no direct involvement in the candidate’s research and they must not have taken an active role in considering the student’s progression.
  • Examiners must not have any close connections or extensive recent (within the past five years) collaborations with either the supervisor(s) or student including joint publications or research grants which might inhibit a completely objective examination.
  • An external examiner should not normally be appointed more than once during a given academic year by members of the same School/Institute.
  • An examiner who is a member of QMUL staff may be appointed up to three times during a given academic year.
  • NHS Consultants or the equivalent in the NHS who are not QMUL or University employees may be appointed as examiners but they should hold an Honorary Senior Lecturer or above contract with a College or University.  Other professional experts may be appointed as external examiners, but the normal requirements for examining experience across the examination team will apply.
  • Individuals who were previously members of staff, students or other members of Queen Mary University of London must not be appointed as an external examiner until a period of three years has elapsed.
  • Individuals who have retired from academic positions at Queen Mary University of London or another higher education institution may be appointed as internal or external examiners if they remain active in their field of research.
  • Overseas examiners are appointed as external examiners only in exceptional circumstances and where it is considered that such an appointment is necessary.

Candidates should pay particular attention to the declaration on pages 2-3 of the examination entry form. By signing this declaration and entering the examination, you authorise Queen Mary to make your thesis publically available on the open-access institutional e-repository, Queen Mary Research Online (QMRO), according to the conditions set out in the declaration. Please refer to the Library’s guidance on publishing e-theses for more details about the inclusion of your thesis in QMRO and the implications of this (for example about how it may affect future publication). You may indicate on the examination entry form that you wish to apply for restriction of access to your thesis for twelve months.

Examination entry and nomination of examiners are considered by the Research Degrees Programmes and Examinations Board. The board meets monthly to consider applications received in the preceding month, according to the schedule in the table below. The Research Degrees Office will inform your supervisor of the Board’s decision after the meeting.

You can find the paperwork deadlines at: http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/research-degrees/research-degree-students/examiner-nomination-and-exam-entry/

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