The first assessment stage for a student on the MPhil, MPhil/PhD, PhD Direct, PhD by Published Work or Masters by Research, is the preparation and submission of their application for registration, for consideration by the appropriate Research Degree Subject Sub-committee. Time limits for registration will be set out in the Programme Handbook - once registration has been approved, the timescale for completing the thesis will begin from that date. Students who are enrolled on a professional doctorate programme and have successfully completed all the taught modules at the required level will prepare the application for registration as part of the final stage of the taught element of the programme. Ongoing progress monitoring requirements, which research students are required to fulfil in order to remain enrolled on their programme are set out in 6.10.5
The examination for research degrees has two stages: firstly, the submission and preliminary assessment of the thesis, followed by an oral, or approved alternative, examination. In the case of a practice-based research degree, the examination begins with the practice element of the work, for example an exhibition or installation, followed by submission and examination of the thesis and completion of the viva. A candidate is not permitted to undertake more than three completed vivas as part of one submission for the degree (this number includes any recommendations or outcomes resulting from consideration of appeals submitted by the candidate).