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Post-submission/assessment period

After you've submitted your initial thesis for examination, it will be sent to the designated examiners. Here, we outline crucial details regarding the timing of the assessment process for your initial thesis.

For more information on submitting your thesis, visit the Thesis submission webpage.

Initial thesis examination timeline: What to expect

Examiners aim to provide their reports within six weeks of receiving your initial thesis. However, delays can occur, such as when a replacement examiner is needed or an examiner requires more time for review.

Please expect at least a two-month wait before receiving a result or notification of any delay. If you haven't heard anything after this time, please contact Research Assessments at researchassessments@ecu.edu.au.

During the examination period, no specific information about the outcome can be shared with you or your supervisors until the HDR Thesis Examination Committee has reviewed the results. Therefore, refrain from contacting the examiners during this time.

Enrolment status post thesis submission

While your thesis is under examination, you will remain enrolled, but your status will be listed as 'inactive'. This status allows you to retain access to essential services such as your student email account and library services.

If you submit an initial thesis before the census date, you won't be charged fees for the upcoming semester. Please refer to the Withdrawal Dates webpage for specific cut-off dates.

Should you submit your initial thesis on or after the census date, you will be liable for the full semester’s fees.

Notification of the outcome

When Research Assessments have received the examination reports from all examiners, they will be sent to:

  • For candidates without Oral Examination
    The HDR Thesis Examination Committee will consider the examination reports. The Committee will notify Research Assessments of the outcome of your initial thesis examination. You will then be contacted with your examination result and instructions for the next steps in the process.
  • For candidates with Oral Examination
    The HDR Thesis Examination Committee will consider the examination reports. The Committee will notify Research Assessments of the outcome of your initial thesis examination.

    You and your supervisor will receive section 1 of your initial thesis examination reports to aid in preparation for your oral exam. For more information on the oral examination process, please refer to the Oral examination process.

Research scholarship recipients

Upon submission of your initial thesis for examination, most scholarships will cease. To avoid potential overpayment, please promptly inform the Scholarships Office at scholarshipsadmin@ecu.edu.au.

For further details on the next steps, please visit the After examination webpage.

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