4. Oral examination

The internal examiner, or the non-examining chair if one has been appointed, is responsible for ensuring that the details of the oral examination, including the date and place, the names of all those participating or attending  is provided in advance and with due notice, to all those who are to be present (i.e. the candidate, all examiners and any observer).

The internal examiner, or non-examining chair if one has been appointed, will also introduce and chair the oral examination.

The oral examination may be used to establish the student’s general knowledge of the field of his or her research, to establish the extent of any collaboration, to ascertain that the student can work independently and lead the work of others, and to confirm that the work is indeed the student's own.

The examiners may tell the candidate what their views are at the end of or after the oral but they must make clear that their view is a recommendation and not a final decision. The College of Science and Engineering has the power to modify or, exceptionally, to overturn the examiners' recommendation.

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