Examination team and approval
Your DoS identifies suitable examiners and applies for formal approval. Begin early: the framework recommends starting identification at least six months before expected examination and requires team approval at least three months before expected submission.
Application
- RD12, explaining suitability and complementary expertise.
- Each examiner’s official Brief CV form; a full CV is not an alternative. If an examiner cannot complete it, the DoS must do so.
- An abstract written by you.
- Examination-adjustment requests, where needed.
The School RDC scrutinises the application before RDEB approval. Incomplete applications are not considered. Downloads: Forms directory.
Team requirements
Normally two examiners, one internal and one external, plus a separate Exam Panel Chair. Together examiners need current subject expertise and experience of at least two UK research-degree examinations at the relevant level or above; Republic of Ireland experience is equivalent.
- Two externals may be used if no suitably expert internal is available.
- If you are, or are expected to be, a staff member at the viva, two external examiners and no internal are required. Ask how your employment status is treated if uncertain.
- Examiners must be impartial, without conflicting connections, including co-publication with you.
- An internal cannot be your present/former supervisor, DoS, IPC or adviser, or currently a research student.
- Two externals should be from different institutions. An external must not supervise another Edinburgh Napier student.
- Former staff normally need three years since employment ended, or since all continuing supervision ended. External examiners cannot examine more than two Edinburgh Napier research candidates in 12 months.
Full appointment and fee/expense administration remains a staff responsibility; the School pays external examiner fees/expenses. The IPC normally becomes EPC if suitable and trained.
After approval
The Operations Team informs the DoS; formal appointment letters are sent with the submitted thesis. The DoS can then coordinate the viva in line with the approval/appointment requirements. Do not send the thesis to examiners yourself or contact them about it while examination is ongoing.
Sources: Framework §§7.3–7.8, pp. 75–79; D6.3. Read the source.