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Preparing to submit your thesis
As you approach your final year, you should begin preparing for thesis submission and your viva examination. Early planning will help you avoid delays and ensure that the examination process can run smoothly. You should discuss your expected submission timeline with your supervisor. You should also check whether your department has any local requirements that you need to complete before submission.
LSE provides access to iThenticate, a text-matching tool that you can use to review written work before submission. You may find this useful when finalising your thesis.
Some departments may also require you to use iThenticate at particular points in your programme. For example, this may form part of your upgrade process. You should check your department’s PhD handbook to confirm whether this applies to you.
If you do not already have an account, you can request access through the PhD Academy.
Guidance and support
The PhD Academy offers training and guidance which may help you prepare for the viva. You may also wish to speak to your supervisor or department about how best to prepare. Many departments will also arrange mock vivas for their students, though this will depend on whether they judge this is the right form of preparation for you, and on colleagues’ availability.
You can find information about training offered by the School and other providers here.
The Regulations for Research Degrees permit the Chair of the Research Degrees Sub-Committee to approve a thesis that exceeds the normal maximum length in appropriate circumstances.
- For MPhil theses, the normal length is no more than 60,000 words.
- For PhD theses, the normal length is no more than 100,000 words
To request permission to exceed the normal word limit, please email phdacademy@lse.ac.uk with your lead supervisor and programme director in cc., providing a brief rationale explaining why additional length is necessary.
Your rationale does not need to be lengthy. In most cases, two or three paragraphs will be sufficient. However, it should explain clearly:
- why the thesis requires additional length;
- the academic, methodological or structural reasons that have led to this position; and
- why the proposed length is necessary in the context of the project as a whole.
You should also specify the word limit you are requesting. (Requests which do not include a specific number will not be processed until a specific number is stated.) Once received, the PhD Academy will refer the request to the Chair of the Research Degrees Sub-Committee for consideration and will notify you of the outcome.
You should submit any request to exceed the normal word limit as early as possible and before submitting your thesis. We recommend discussing this with your supervisory team well in advance of your intended submission date.
NB: Approval is not automatic, and each request is considered on its own merits. Accordingly, students should not assume that permission will be granted.
Entering for examination
You must enter for examination before your thesis can be sent to your examiners. This is the process through which your examiner nominations are reviewed and approved.
You should begin discussing examination entry with your supervisor around 12 months before your submission deadline. This should include discussion of your plan for completion and possible examiners.
Your department should aim to submit your examination entry at least 40 working days, or eight working weeks, before your thesis deadline or your planned submission date, whichever is earlier.
If you are considering submitting your thesis earlier than your expected submission deadline, you should discuss this with your supervisor as early as possible. The decision to submit your thesis is ultimately yours. However, you must have completed the absolute minimum period of enrolment as a research student before you can submit, unless you have been granted special permission to complete a shorter period of enrolment.
The normal absolute minimum period is two calendar years of full-time enrolment as a research student, or the equivalent in part-time study. For MPhil/PhD students, this is calculated from initial enrolment. For MRes/PhD students, it is calculated from the point at which you become enrolled as a research student following the MRes stage.
If you have completed the minimum period of enrolment, you may submit your thesis up to one year before your expected submission deadline without special permission, provided that you meet the other requirements for examination entry.
If you want to submit more than one year before your expected submission deadline, you will need the support of your lead supervisor and programme director and approval from the Chair of the Research Degrees Sub-Committee. You can request this in advance, by email, or through the examination entry process.
In all cases of early submission, you are responsible for the decision to submit and must confirm that your thesis is complete and fit for examination.
Early submission can affect the timing of examination entry, examiner appointment, viva arrangements and, in some cases, your student visa. You should not assume that an early submission can be accommodated at short notice. Your department should submit your examination entry at least 40 working days, or eight working weeks, before your planned submission date.
If you hold a Student visa, you must also seek advice from the Student Advice and Engagement Team before deciding to submit early.
You will need to provide information about yourself and your thesis.
Your lead supervisor and programme director will need to provide information about the examiners that the department would like to nominate.
The examination entry form can be found here.
As part of examination entry, you will also be required to make formal declarations about your thesis. This includes confirming that the thesis is your own work, except where you have clearly identified the work of others, and that you consider the thesis to be complete and fit for examination. You will also be asked to agree to the arrangements for depositing a successful thesis in LSE Theses Online.
By submitting your thesis, you are declaring that you are fit for examination and that your thesis is complete and ready to be examined. Once submitted, your thesis can only be withdrawn from the examination process with special permission from the Research Degrees Sub-Committee Chair.
Your department is likely to discuss possible examiners with you. It is appropriate for you to have views on your preferred examination panel. It is also appropriate for you to express those views in discussion with your department. You can expect your department to listen to those views.
However, it is your department’s role and responsibility to determine who to nominate. It is the Research Degrees Sub-Committee’s role to determine who should be appointed.
You must not contact or communicate with prospective examiners directly about your examination.
It is not students’ role or responsibility to make sure that examiner nominations are made in good time. You can expect your department to lead conversations about examiner nominations before your submission deadline.
If you are concerned that examination entry has not been discussed in good time, you should speak to your lead supervisor, doctoral programme director or programme manager/administrator. You may also contact the PhD Academy for advice, or book a meeting with a member of the team to discuss this.
Examiner appointment
Examiner nominations must be reviewed and approved by members of the Research Degrees Sub-Committee before your thesis can be sent to your examiners.
Examination entries are considered by members of the Research Degrees Sub-Committee. This is to ensure that the proposed examination panel meets the School’s requirements for examiner independence, expertise and relevant experience.
Most nominations are approved without comment. However, RDSC members may request further information from departments about examiner nominees’ expertise, previous examination experience, independence or other matters relevant to whether the proposed examination panel meets the School’s requirements.
RDSC members may also decline to appoint examiners if there are concerns about whether the proposed panel meets the School’s requirements.
The Research Degrees Sub-Committee will normally appoint two examiners. In exceptional cases, three examiners may be appointed. Your supervisors cannot act as your examiners.
At least one examiner will be external to LSE. Where three examiners are appointed, at least two must be independent of LSE.
In some cases, your department may also nominate a Chair for the examination. The Chair oversees compliance with the School’s examination regulations but does not take part in the academic assessment of your thesis or performance in the viva. Your supervisors cannot act as Chair.
Once a satisfactory panel has been nominated, the PhD Academy invites the examiners to act.
Examiners must be formally invited to act by the PhD Academy, and confirm in writing to the PhD Academy that they are willing to act before they are considered formally appointed.
This process typically takes around two to four weeks in total. Timings can vary.
Delays can happen if further information is needed, if nominations are not approved, or if examiners take time to confirm whether they can act.
Your viva cannot normally be formally arranged until your examiners have been appointed.
Nominated examiners must first be approved by the Research Degrees Sub-Committee. They must then confirm in writing to the PhD Academy that they are willing to act. Only after this can they receive your thesis.
Departments must allow examiners at least 20 working days to read the thesis after it has been sent to them. This means that the viva cannot normally take place within 20 working days of the thesis being sent to your examiners.
If you have a particular viva date or period in mind, you should speak to your supervisor and department as early as possible. Your department should also submit your examination entry in good time. Late examination entry may delay the viva.
If an examiner nomination is not approved, or if an appointed examiner can no longer act, your department will need to submit a replacement examiner nomination.
The replacement examiner form can be found here.
Viva arrangements
Your viva is formally arranged and managed by your department after your examiners have been appointed and your thesis has been submitted.
Your department is responsible for arranging and managing your viva after your examiners have been appointed and your thesis has been submitted.
Students are not responsible for arranging or administering the viva. Your department will normally confirm the viva date with you and with the PhD Academy once arrangements have been agreed.
You should speak to your supervisor, doctoral programme director or PhD Manager if you have questions about possible viva dates. The PhD Academy can advise on the examination process, but your department manages the practical arrangements for the viva.
Except during the viva itself, you must not communicate directly with your examiners until after your award has been confirmed unless the PhD Academy has confirmed otherwise.
If you are asked to arrange or administer your viva, please contact the PhD Academy so that we can advise.
The School works to ensure that the examination process is as inclusive as possible. Some students may need reasonable adjustments to account for disability.
If you do not have a My Adjustments plan and think you may need one, you should contact the Disability and Mental Health Service as soon as possible.
If you already have a My Adjustments plan, you should indicate this as part of the examination entry process. The PhD Academy will use this information when advising your department and examiners about the examination arrangements.
If you think that your My Adjustments plan may need to be adjusted, we recommend that you contact the Disability and Mental Health Service as soon as possible, ideally before you submit your exam entry.
The School will always endeavour to implement reasonable adjustments, but late requests can be more difficult to implement.
Changes to the research degree examination process can normally only be made on the basis of a My Adjustments plan.
If you have a short-term condition and are not eligible for a My Adjustments plan, but would still like adjustments to be considered, you should note this on your Examination Entry form.
There is no single fixed viva date after thesis submission. The timing depends on examiner appointment, examiner availability, departmental arrangements and the date on which your thesis is sent to your examiners.
As a minimum, departments must allow at least 20 working days between the thesis being sent to your examiners and the viva taking place. The School also expects vivas to be completed within three months of the date on which the thesis is sent to the examiners. Permission from the Research Degrees Sub-Committee Chair is required for vivas to be conducted outside these timescales. This is normally only granted in exceptional cases. Departments can request this by emailing phdacademy@lse.ac.uk, setting out the reasons for the request, and confirming that the student is happy for their viva to be conducted outside normal timescales.
If you are hoping for your viva to take place within a particular term, or you need to plan around work, travel, visa, funding or employment deadlines, you should discuss this with your supervisor and department as early as possible.
Your examination normally consists of the examination of your thesis and an oral examination, known as the viva.
Before the viva, each examiner will independently assess your thesis and prepare a preliminary written report. The examiners will use these reports to help them conduct the viva.
After the viva, the examiners will prepare a joint final report. This will state whether your thesis meets the requirements for the degree and explain their judgement of your performance against the examination criteria.
The requirement to hold a viva can only be suspended in highly exceptional circumstances and with the appropriate School approval.
Supervisor attendance at the viva
Members of your supervisory team may attend the viva as observers unless you indicate on your examination entry form that you do not want them to attend.
No.
Members of your supervisory team may attend as observers unless you indicate that you do not want them to attend. You should indicate your preference as part of the examination entry process
If invited to attend, supervisors attend as observers and do not have the right to take part in the examination. They may contribute only if invited to do so by the examiners and you agree to their contribution
Your research degree examination can take place across a maximum of three stages. Most candidates will complete the examination process at Stage 1. If further amendments or another viva are required, the examination may proceed to Stage 2 and, if necessary, Stage 3
At the end of the viva, your examiners may share their recommendation with you informally. This is not the official outcome.
Examiners are asked to send their reports to the PhD Academy within two weeks of the viva. The PhD Academy will then process the reports and notify you formally of the result of your examination. The recommendation given to you at the viva is not your official result
Yes.
The PhD Academy will normally send you the examiners’ joint final report together with their preliminary reports. Exceptionally, examiners may specify that their preliminary reports should not be provided to you
Following your initial examination, your examiners may reach one of the following decisions:
- Award of PhD. Your examination is complete. The examiners may recommend minor typographical corrections, but these are not mandatory and the examiners will not check their completion.
- Minor amendments. The examiners will specify the amendments required and give you up to six months to complete them. They will also determine whether a further viva is required.
- Major amendments. The examiners will specify the amendments required and give you between seven and twelve months to complete them. They will also determine whether a further viva is required.
- A second viva without amendments. You will be required to undertake a further viva within a maximum of twelve months, but will not be required to amend your thesis before doing so.
- Award of MPhil. Your examination for the PhD is complete and you are awarded an MPhil instead. The examiners may recommend minor typographical corrections, but these are not mandatory.
- Fail, with no award. Your examination is complete and no degree is awarded
If your examiners require minor or major amendments, your examination will continue to a further stage. The PhD Academy will confirm the amendments required, the deadline for completing them and whether a further viva is required.”
Your examiners will specify the amendments that you are required to make. If you are required to make minor amendments, you will be given up to six months to complete them.
If you are required to make major amendments, you will be given between seven and twelve months to complete them. You must submit your amended thesis by the deadline given to you. Your examination will then proceed to the next stage. Your examiners will determine whether a further viva is required.
At Stages 1 and 2, they may make this decision either when they conduct the viva or after they have considered your amendments.
Your examiners will examine your amended thesis and determine the outcome of the next stage of your examination. Depending on the decision made at the previous stage, they may also conduct a further viva.
Depending on the outcome, examiners normally have one to three months to confirm whether your corrections or revisions meet the requirements.
If you are required to submit an amended thesis for a further stage of examination, you will need to re-enter for examination. You will be told your re-submission deadline.
You must complete the Examination Re-entry form and return it to the PhD Academy at least 40 working days, or eight working weeks, before you submit your revised thesis.
You can find information on examination re-entry here.
Yes. You must pay the re-entry fee when you submit the Examination Re-entry form.
The current re-entry fee is £200 and can be paid through LSE eShop.
You should submit your amended thesis and a statement explaining how you have addressed the examiners’ requirements to the PhD Academy in accordance with the submission instructions provided to you.
Your statement should show how you have responded to each of the examiners’ requirements. A useful format is a table. You can list the required correction in one column and explain how you have addressed it in the second column. You should also indicate where the changes can be found in the revised thesis.
Once the PhD Academy receives your amended thesis and the other required material, it will be sent to your examiners for the next stage of examination. Your examiners will consider the amended thesis and determine the appropriate outcome under the Regulations. If a further viva is required, your department will arrange it.
You may be required to undertake a further viva.
If you receive minor or major amendments, the examiners will determine whether another viva is required. At Stages 1 and 2, they may make this decision either at the viva or after considering your amendments. The examiners can also require you to undertake a second viva without requiring amendments to your thesis. Where this happens, the viva must take place within a maximum of twelve months. If a further viva is required, your department will arrange it.
Stage 2 takes place where your examination continues following amendments or a further viva required at Stage 1.
At Stage 2 of a PhD examination, the examiners may award the PhD, award an MPhil, fail the examination with no award, require further minor amendments, or require another viva.
In some circumstances, the examiners may require major amendments at Stage 2 where minor amendments were originally required at Stage 1.
If the examination is not concluded at Stage 2, it will proceed to Stage 3.
Stage 3 is the final stage of the examination.
At Stage 3 of a PhD examination, the examiners must reach a final decision. They may award the PhD, award an MPhil, or fail the examination with no award.
No further amendments, resubmission or viva can be required after Stage 3.
You have a right of appeal against specified examination decisions, including decisions requiring amendments or a further viva and decisions to award an MPhil instead of a PhD or to make no award.
Appeals are considered under the Appeals Regulations for Research Students. An appeal is not a further academic examination of your thesis.
You can find information about research degree appeals here.
If you need viva adjustments, you should follow the process described above.
Once your examiners have confirmed a successful examination result, you must provide the final successful version of your thesis for deposit in LSE Theses Online in accordance with the School’s instructions. Your degree cannot be awarded until the required final copy of your successful thesis has been provided.
You can find information on LSE’s collection of theses here, and guidance on submitting your final thesis copy here.
Embargoes, redactions, visas and graduation
Some students will need to consider additional matters at the end of their degree. These include embargo requests, redaction requests, post-study visa timelines and graduation ceremony information. This can be found here