PhD examination entry: procedures for entering your thesis for assessment

To get your PhD thesis assessed, you will need to follow this procedure:

1. Upgrading to a PhD: The Registry must be informed that your MPhil has been upgraded to a PhD (normally your supervisor will do this via the School administrator).
2. Examination entry forms: Download either the MPhil or the PhD set of forms (depending on what you are submitting), followed by the submission, binding and formatting notes:
   
   • University of London, PhD examination entry forms
   • Submission, binding and formatting notes
   • List of binders 
   • The examination entry forms are valid for 18 months from registration with Senate House.
3. Initial submission of forms: You should submit the completed and signed forms (which should be checked and countersigned by your supervisor) to the Registry, not more than six months before the end of your prescribed course and at least four months before you submit your thesis.
   • The thesis must be submitted within 18 months of your submission of these forms. If you miss this deadline, the examination entry will be cancelled, and you will have to complete and submit a new set of forms.
4. Appointment of examiners: once they have received your exam entry forms, your supervisors will nominate your examiners. The examiners are approved by the Graduate School after the proposals are forwarded to the Birkbeck Registry.
5. Submission of the application pack: Birkbeck Registry staff will check to see that all parts of the application pack have been received, complete and correct.
6. Submitting your thesis: When you are ready to submit your thesis, you must submit it with a completed declaration of words form and abstract to the Research Student Unit at the Birkbeck Registry (via the Student Centre if you are doing this in person). Some students may still be submitting to the Research Degrees Office at Senate House; please check if you are unsure.
7. Forms for the submission of your thesis: download the following forms to be submitted with your thesis
   • Declaration of number of words form
   • Abstract form
8. Arranging the oral examination: Once you have submitted your dissertation, your oral examination (viva voce) will be arranged by your supervisor in conjunction with the Research Student Unit, or Research Degrees Office at Senate House.
   • The supervisor must wait for the examiners to be approved before setting a date for your viva. (a viva can be declared void if it takes place before the examiners have been approved.)
9. The examiners' decision: Once your viva has taken place, you will be informed of the examiners' decision by the Academic Registrar of the University.