Submitting Your Thesis

This guide ensures a smooth experience for research students at London Metropolitan University throughout the thesis submission, viva, and final submission process leading up to graduation.

First Submission

1. What do I need to submit?
You need to submit:

  • The final version of your thesis is in PDF format.
  • The RD10 Declaration Form (available in the Research Form Centre).

Send both documents to research@londonmet.ac.uk and ensure you receive a confirmation receipt. Additionally, cc your supervisor on the email. The subject line should follow this format: Student ID + Name + Thesis Submission.

Note:

2. What are the thesis format requirements?

  • the thesis shall be in A4 format;
  • copies of the thesis shall be presented in a permanent and legible form; the size of the character used in the main text, including displayed matter and notes shall be a minimum of font size 10;
  • the outside, top and bottom margins shall not be less than 15mm; the inside margins, i.e., the margins at the binding edge of the page, shall not be less than 40mm;
  • double or one-and-a-half spacing shall be used in the typescript except for indented quotations or footnotes where single spacing may be used;
  • pages shall be numbered consecutively through the main text including photographs and/or diagrams included as whole pages;
    • the title page shall give the following information:
    • the full title of the thesis in British English spelling; please do not use capital letters throughout but apply the usual capitalisation rules for titles;
    • the full name of the author;
    • the award for which the degree is submitted in the form: Submitted to the [School name] of London Metropolitan University in partial fulfilment of the requirements of [degree title, i.e., MPhil/PhD/DProf/EdD];
    • the collaborating organisation(s), if any;
    • the month and year of submission;
    • the names of the last supervisors in the form: Supervised by [] (optional); you may mention all your supervisors including any previous supervisors in the acknowledgments.

3. Is a plagiarism check required?

Submit your thesis to Turnitin for plagiarism check before final submission. You can access Turnitin on Doctoral Studies Weblearn.

Any unreferenced identical text may result in failing your viva or the withdrawal of your degree award.

Plagiarism is considered academic misconduct and carries severe consequences.

4. What happens after submission?

Your viva panel is nominated by your supervisors and approved by Chair of Research Degrees Sub-Committee.

You must not contact your examiners at any stage.

The RPO organises the viva examination and strives to have the date of your viva confirmed within one month of receiving the approved viva panel information (RD5). Typically, viva takes place between 3 to 6 months from your first submission

Your tuition fees will be put on hold upon thesis submission, and further charges will be determined based on the outcome of your viva.

You need to submit a PDF version of your thesis to research@londonmet.ac.uk for submission. If you are not enrolled, your thesis submission will not be accepted.

Viva Examination

1. What is a viva?

A viva voce (oral examination) is compulsory for doctoral degrees. It allows examiners to:

  • Examine the general field of your research.
  • Discuss and clarify aspects of your thesis.
  • Assess your ideas and theories.
  • Confirm that your thesis is your own work.

2. Who will attend the viva?

The viva panel includes:

  • One external examiner
  • One internal examiner (or both external in some cases e.g. if you are a member of staff at LMU)
  • Independent chair (ensures fairness, does not examine)
  • Supervisors (optional, but they cannot speak comment or have cameras/mics on for online vivas.)

Viva options:

  • Held in-person or remotely (you can express your preference although most vivas are now carried out online).
  • External examiners from overseas typically attend remotely.

3. What to expect during the viva?

The examiners meet privately to discuss their initial thoughts and questions. This usually takes up to 30 minutes.

You are then invited to enter the room and engage in a discussion about your thesis (usually 2+ hours).

You leave while the panel deliberates the outcome.

You return to receive feedback and viva results.

A written report with the required amendments (RD9a form) will be sent to you (via RPO) within 7 days.

4. Possible Viva Outcomes

  • Pass without corrections
  • Typographical corrections (within 2 weeks).
  • Minor amendments (within 6 months).
  • Major amendments (within 12 months).
  • Major amendments with Re-Viva (requires re-examination).

Major amendments are NOT a pass; you must return to study mode and pay full fees.

5. What should I do if I require special arrangements for my viva based on DDS consultation?

If you need adjustments to your viva with DDS support, contact DDS immediately after submitting your thesis to make the necessary arrangements.

Viva preparation & support

Practice sessions with your supervisor are recommended.

Prepare for general discussion and detailed examination of your work.

Online & live PGR training sessions are available to help with viva preparation.

Tip: While you can take notes into your viva, they may distract rather than help.

Post-viva: Amendments & re-examination

1. Carrying out amendments
Discuss the amendments with your supervisors.
Highlight all changes in your thesis.
Create a table of amendments using the Thesis Amendment Form (RD9m).
Submit your corrected thesis + RD9m to RPO at research@londonmet.

2. Re-examination Process
One or both examiners will verify if your amendments are satisfactory, typically in 4 weeks.

3. Resubmission & re-viva (if applicable)
If required, follow the same first submission process.

Final submission process

After passing the viva and completing all required revisions, you will receive notification from RPO to submit the final version.

1. What do I need to submit?
Please refer to the RPO email as the official version.

Award & graduation

Once the examiners approve your final thesis, the RPO recommends the award.

You will receive an email confirmation from the Student Records & Assessments Team.

Your degree certificate is posted (sent to the home address in your Evision account) within 6 weeks.

You must have fully enrolled to be eligible for the award.

Graduation ceremony

Please check the Graduation page.

Summary: key submission & viva steps

  • First submission: Submit PDF of thesis + RD10 form to research@londonmet.ac.uk.
  • Viva: Attend viva(remote/in-person). Receive feedback & amendments.
  • Post-viva: Make corrections, highlight changes, and submit the revised thesis with the RD9m amendment form to research@londonmet.ac.uk for re-examination.
  • Final submission.
  • Award conferral: Receive degree confirmation & certificate (within 6 weeks).

Advice for supervisors

1. Nomination viva panel

Lead supervisors must submit the RD5 form to nominate the viva panel to research@londonmet.ac.uk after approval at the school level, along with the CVs of External Examiners. We advise to start arranging viva panels whilst a student is nearing the end of their writing up period.

The RD5 form must clearly specify the Chair of the viva panel.

If you are unsure about the school-level approver, please contact the RPO for clarification.

2. Criteria for selecting examiners: stay compliant

Ensure compliance with these regulations when selecting examiners. For detailed information on the selection criteria for examiners, please refer to:

3. Examiner nomination: stay ahead

This should be completed at least one month before the student submits their thesis.

For international students, it is recommended to submit two months in advance.

Please note that the external examiners can only be engaged no more than three times per year (year starting on 1 October).

 

 

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