If you are not awarded the PhD degree

A maximum of two attempts are allowed for the PhD examination.

If the PhD cannot be recommended, the candidate will be recommended for the award of a lower qualification. In most cases, this would happen only after the candidate has had an opportunity to revise the orginal thesis and be re-examined. If the work is still judged not to be up to doctoral standard, the award of an MSc or MPhil may be recommended if it meets the University criteria for those degrees. The final decision is made by the Degree Committee and ratified by the Postgraduate Committee, taking into account the Examiners' and Degree Committee recommendations.

A candidate may choose to accept the lower qualification, but if (s)he feels unfairly treated, (s)he may seek a review of the examination under the University's Examination Review Procedure.