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Section 26 - Procedures Relating To Passing and Failing: Passing and Failing Research Thesis

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Marking procedure and criteria

The thesis is expected to make a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject and afford evidence of originality shown by the discovery of new facts and/or the exercise of independent critical power.

It is examined by an oral examination conducted by at least two examiners, one of whom is external to the University.

The examination will be designed to test the thesis against the criteria stated above. The possible outcomes of the oral examination are:

(i) Pass

(ii) Pass conditional on minor corrections (one month)

(iii) Referred for stipulated revisions (three months)

(iv) Referred for major revisions (one year); a further oral examination, following resubmission, may be held at the discretion of the examiners

(v) Fail: no resubmission permitted

More detailed information about the criteria for viva outcomes in the guidelines for thesis examiners can be found here:

www.ucl.ac.uk/clinical-psychology/docs/Evaluating_the_Thesis.doc

Appeals

Section 30 details appeal procedures. Briefly, trainees with concerns about the procedures which have been followed in assessing their thesis should initially raise this with the Chair of the Examination Board, who will consider the complaint and the steps to be taken, usually in conjunction with the course’s head external examiner.

If trainees are not satisfied by the outcome of this internal procedure they can invoke the UCL appeals procedure

(http://www.ucl.ac.uk/academic-manual/part-5/student-grievance-procedure).