The proper assessment of a research higher degree thesis is a key element of the University of Queensland's commitment to quality outcomes for its graduates. The external assessment of theses through formal written reports, which are both evaluative and formative, provided by each assessor via the University to the candidate is a distinctive feature of the assessment of higher degrees in Australian universities.

Suitability of Thesis for Assessment
To be suitable for assessment, the candidate’s thesis must: comply with the University’s directions on the thesis document format, style and produc...

Thesis to be Assessed Confidentially
It is generally understood that theses are dealt with in a confidential manner by assessors in all cases. That is, it is not permissible for an assessor to make any use of the material in a thesis without due acknowledgement; to make copies or to sh...

Delayed or Restricted Access to Thesis
Research higher degree theses make important contributions to knowledge and therefore, wherever possible, the outcomes of those contributions should be disseminated. Customarily, an archival copy of each thesis is placed in the library of the u...

Credit for Work Previously Completed and the Required Period of Enrolment
The University of Queensland recognises that some candidates may have already completed work towards their research project before commencing their candidature at the University. G...

Oral Thesis Assessments
The typical thesis assessment process is a written assessment process with three stages. The candidate submits a written thesis for assessment; The assessors provide written reports on the thesis; ...

Postgraduate Coordinator's Role in Thesis Assessments
As the designated delegate of the head of school/director of institute, the postgraduate coordinator exercises several important responsibilities on behalf of the school/institute.

The Role of the Chair of Assessors
The chair of assessors is an internal reviewer with relevant academic expertise in the area of research of which the thesis forms a part. They provide assurance at several points during the assessment process that academically appropriate actio...

The Role of Thesis Assessors
The thesis assessor assures quality to the university and to the research community and adds pedagogical value to the research experience of the candidate. The assessor has several roles: to ensure that the work is of high quality...

The Role of Thesis Adjudicators
A thesis adjudicator may be appointed by the Dean of the UQ Graduate School in those cases where the assessors' reports vary significantly in their ...

Conflict of Interest and Thesis Assessors
It is crucial that all assessors act, and are seen to act, with integrity and in the academic interests of the institution and the discipline. It is therefore of fundamental importance that conflicts of interest be avoided, so that the conditions un...

Assessors' Reports and the Dean's Decision
As specified by General Award Rule 4.14.2, the MPhil and the PhD are awarded solely on the basis of the Dean of the UQ Graduate School's assessment of the assessors’ repo...

Corrections to the Thesis
Once the Dean, UQ Graduate School has reviewed the assessors' reports and reached a decision, the Research Higher Degrees Unit emails the candidate regarding the outcome of the assessment, attaching copies of reports. The assessors and the...

Thesis Honorariums
The University of Queensland is grateful to assessors for the significant contribution they make to the quality of UQ research through their actions as external reviewers of RHD theses, and in accordance with international practice provides an honor...