1. Candidates reading for a higher degree by research pursue an independent but supervised research in an approved field of advanced study, at the end of which a thesis is submitted for examination.
2. Candidates are required to submit the thesis in a form ready and acceptable for examination before the expiry of their maximum candidature, or they will have to put up request for extension of candidature through their supervisors. Extension of candidature is subject to the approval of the School/College. Candidates who do not submit their thesis within their maximum candidature and do not apply for extension of candidature will be deemed to be no longer interested to continue with the programme and their candidature will lapse. Their names will be removed from our register of higher degree candidates.
3. Candidates who are in the programme of study for more than 2 weeks of a semester are liable for research fees for that semester as long as they have not submitted their thesis in a form ready for examination.
4. Candidates who submit the thesis in a form ready and acceptable for examination before or within the first 2 weeks of a semester will not be liable for research fee for that semester.
5. Candidates who submit their thesis before 30 September (for Semester 1) or 31 March (for Semester 2) may pay half a semester’s fee. Students who submit their thesis beyond 30 September (for Semester 1) or 31 March (for Semester 2) shall be liable for full fees for the semester. The date on which the supervisor endorses the thesis to be in an acceptable form for examination in the Thesis Submission Form will be taken as the date of submission.
| Before or within first 2 weeks of a semester |
Not liable for research fees for the semester |
| 3rd week of semester till 30 September; OR 3rd week of semester till 31 March |
Liable for research fees for first half of Semester 1 or Semester 2 respectively |
| After 30 September or 31 March |
Liable for research fees for entire Semester 1 or Semester 2 respectively |
6. For research scholars, the last day of award will be the date of the supervisor's signature on the Thesis Submission Form.
7. Candidates will be liable for examination fee when they submit their thesis, unless the examination fee is covered under the terms of the research scholarship and the thesis is submitted within the prescribed scholarship period.
8. Masters theses will be examined by 2 examiners (1), while Ph.D. theses will be examined by 3 examiners (1).
9. For first examination of thesis, examiners are normally given 2 -3 months to complete the thesis review and submit the evaluation report. For re-examination, examiners are normally given 2 -3 weeks. GSO will send all examiners' reports to candidate through the supervisor upon receipt of reports from all examiners. Reminders on submission of evaluation report will be sent to examiners periodically.
10. Candidates should not, under any circumstances, communicate directly with any examiner on thesis examination and amendments.
11. In addition to being examined on the thesis, a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy must pass an oral examination(2) on the subject matter of the thesis and other related subjects. The oral examination will be arranged and conducted by the School after thesis examination/re-examination is completed.
(1) For Masters students, one University examiner and one second examiner (can be either University examiner or external examiner) will examine the theses. For Ph.D. students, one University examiner and two external examiners will examine the theses.
(2) Students have to attend oral examination in Singapore. Video conferencing will only be allowed in special circumstances, subject to the permission of the School. For oral examination conducted via video-conferencing, the School will liaise with the student on the details and resources, and all costs are to be borne by the student.
