16.6.1 Where the examiners agree and make a joint recommendation, on behalf of the Research Degree Committee, the Chair shall make a decision on the reports and recommendation of the examiners in respect of the candidate. This decision shall be reported to the Research Degree Committee.
16.6.2 In any instances where the Chair does not agree with the examiners’ joint recommendation, the Chair shall refer the matter to the Research Degree Committee for consideration. The Research Degree Committee may:
- seek clarification or further information from the examiners as to the reasons for their recommendation;
- refer the recommendation back to the examiners for review in the light of the Research Degree Committee’s comments; or
- require the appointment of an additional external examiner.
16.6.3 Where the examiners’ recommendations are not unanimous, the Chair of the Research Degree Committee shall refer the matter to the Research Degree Committee for consideration. The Research Degree Committee may:
- accept a majority recommendation (provided that the majority recommendation includes at least one external examiner);
- accept the recommendation of the external examiner; or
- require the appointment of an additional external examiner.
16.6.4 Where an additional external examiner is appointed under sub-paragraphs in Section 16.6.2 (c), the additional examiner shall prepare an independent preliminary report on the basis of the thesis and, if considered necessary, may conduct a further oral examination.
That examiner should not be informed of the recommendations of the other examiners. On receipt of the report from the additional examiner the Research Degree Committee shall reach a decision regarding the outcome of the examination.