• Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
• Section 2 - Principles and Key Requirements
• Section 3 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities
• Advisors
• Chair of Examiners
• Dean, Graduate School 
• Provost
• Director, Graduate School
• Candidates
• Section 4 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance
• Section 5 - Recording and Reporting
• Section 6 - Appendix
• Definitions, Terms and Acronyms

Section 1 - Purpose and Scope

(1) The purpose of this Policy is to describe the principles and key requirements for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) examinations at The University of Queensland.

(2) This Policy applies to all students enrolled in, and all staff involved in the delivery of, Higher Degree by Research at The University of Queensland.

Section 2 - Principles and Key Requirements

(3) The thesis examination is conducted by at least two recognised experts in the discipline who are external to the University, independent of the conduct of the research of the candidate, and approved in accordance with the Conflict of Interest guidelines for the appointment of Examiners (refer to the Higher Degree by Research Examination Guideline).

(4) The University is committed to the following principles with regard to HDR examinations:

1. The thesis adheres to the principles of research integrity as stipulated in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research including authorship, plagiarism and research ethics. A thesis includes a statement of originality incorporating an acknowledgement of other contributors, editorial assistance, and copyright provisions and approvals.
2. That examiners hold a degree or possess professional experience equivalent to the degree they are examining.
3. Conflicts of Interest between examiners, advisors and candidate are declared so that the thesis may be assessed free from bias or preferential treatment.
4. Confidentiality of the examination process is maintained and the candidate and advisors must not communicate with examiners during the examination process unless directed to do so.
5. Examiners provide written reports on the thesis and participate in an oral examination of the candidate, where applicable.
6. The University’s processes for determining the outcome of the examination are available to candidates, advisors and examiners.
7. Open access to the final thesis is provided by the University except when circumstances require an embargo for a designated period of time.

Section 3 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Advisors

(5) The academic roles and accountabilities for advisors are specified in the Eligibility and Role of Higher Degree by Research Advisors Policy.

Chair of Examiners

(6) The Chair of Examiners provides outcome recommendations to the Dean, Graduate School and oversees the oral examination component, where applicable.

Dean, Graduate School 

(7) The Dean, Graduate School decides on the examination outcome.

Provost

(8) The Provost approves the conferral of the degree, upon recommendation from the Dean, Graduate School.

Director, Graduate School

(9) The Director, Graduate School is responsible for ensuring Recording and Reporting as described in section 5.

Candidates

(10) Candidates who commence enrolment in an HDR program from 1 January 2018 will undergo an oral examination.

(11) Candidates who commence enrolment in an HDR program from 1 January 2017 and include a published work, or part of a published work, in their thesis will undergo an oral examination. 

Section 4 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance

(12) Review of, and compliance with, this Policy is overseen by the Dean, Graduate School and the Academic Board's Higher Degree by Research Committee.

Section 5 - Recording and Reporting

(13) All thesis examination transactions and activities are recorded within UQ’s student system.

(14) All student records including final outcome, applications and University decisions are filed in the student’s personal record in UQ’s digital student record system.

Section 6 - Appendix

Definitions, Terms and Acronyms