To assist you with assessing a thesis, we have developed the below guidelines explaining our assessment requirements. Our governing Graduate Research Thesis Examination Procedure is available if you would like further information.
Students have two thesis format options they can choose to submit in:
It is expected that:
The examination of the thesis is undertaken by two independent and external examiners. Doctoral examiners have eight weeks to complete thesis assessment. Research masters' examiners have six weeks. The thesis is forwarded to an examiner in confidence. An examiner must maintain confidentiality and the thesis or any part of the examination process should not be discussed with a third party without the prior approval of the Monash Graduate Research Office.
Examiners are required to provide a written report on specific aspects of the thesis and an overall recommendation.
In assessing a doctoral thesis, examiners must consider whether the student:
In assessing a research master’s thesis, examiners must consider whether the student:
It is the practice at Monash to release the names of examiners who have agreed to examine the thesis to the student, however, Students and supervisors are not permitted to contact examiners directly while under examination, unless requested by Monash Graduate Research Office.
Following the review of the thesis, examiners are required to provide an overall recommendation along with an explanation as to why the nominated recommendation was provided. We have developed a Doctoral and Research Master's Thesis Assessment Outcomes Guideline document to assist you with your recommendation.
Recommendations are as follows:
Outcome | Detailed descriptions |
Pass | The student can be awarded the degree without further amendments or examination. |
Pass, with editorial corrections required | The student can be awarded the degree, subject to editorial corrections in the thesis (e.g. typos, grammatical errors) within one to two months, as specified by the examiners in their written reports and certified by the CoE. |
Pass, with minor edits required | The student can be awarded the degree, subject to minor edits in the thesis within one to two months, as specified by the examiners in their written reports and certified by the CoE. |
Pass, with major amendments required | The student can be awarded the degree, subject to major amendments in the thesis as specified by the examiners in their written reports. The amendments should be completed within three to six months from receipt of assessment outcome and certified by the CoE. |
Revise and Resubmit | The thesis requires major revision and re-examination, as follows:
Failure to resubmit a thesis that addresses all revision requirements and meets the requirements for examination by the resubmission due date will result in an assessment outcome of ‘Fail’. Note: the ‘Revise and Resubmit’ is not available as an assessment outcome for the second examination |
Fail | The student should not be awarded the degree or be permitted to resubmit any revision. |
Outcome | Detailed descriptions |
H1: 80 - 100% | A mark in this range indicates exceptional work that stands out for its combination of independent thought with critical arguments and its depth and scope of knowledge. The student’s work satisfies the high standards of presentation, organisation and articulation of material expected of the top 25% of research master’s theses. The thesis indicates a distinctive approach or project, and at the upper end of the range it makes a significant and original contribution to debate. If the work is of sufficient originality or quality to warrant publication in a refereed journal, then it should receive a mark in this range, although this is not a necessary requirement for an H1 grade. |
H2A: 70 - 79% | A mark in this range indicates a comprehensive understanding of the relevant debates, texts, and arguments, and extensive knowledge enabling appropriate contextualisation of the material. The work displays high standards of scholarship and presentation and is well structured. It exhibits convincing, well-articulated arguments and maintains a sustained critical engagement with the subject matter with an element of originality. A mark in the top section of the range manifests the appearance of an original approach or project. The student is likely to be capable of completing a doctoral program. |
H2B: 60 - 69% | A mark in this range indicates a reasonable understanding of the relevant material, and an adequate level of competency in articulation and argumentation. Its scholarly presentation is fair, yet, the work presents one or more of the following deficiencies:
This student would not be encouraged to progress to a doctoral program. |
0 - 59% | This work is unsatisfactory at postgraduate level. It fails to produce a coherent argument and does not engage in critical thinking to any significant degree. It demonstrates serious deficiencies in both knowledge and understanding of the field, and its expression of information and argument is unclear, weak and incoherent. |
Note: Where an examiner or examiners recommend the thesis be passed or passed subject to amendments, the mark they recommend must be 60% or above. | |
The recommendation will be considered in combination with the recommendation of the other examiner/s. Final student outcomes are finalised in line with the Graduate Research Thesis Examination Procedure.
Thesis Merit
Thesis merit is supplementary to the formal assessment of doctoral degrees and provides Monash with a metric on the quality of theses produced across the university.
When an examiners outcome has been reached, the report and recommendations are submitted online using the link provided in the dispatch email sent from the Monash Thesis Examinations team. If an examiner is unable to meet the assessment timeframe it is important that this is communicated to the Monash Thesis Examinations team.
Once all reports and comments have been received, unedited copies (including the examiners identity) will be forwarded to the student, their supervisors and the Monash Chair of Examiners. Examiners will be notified of the student’s final outcome once available.
Monash provides eligible examiners with an honorarium, in line with amounts specified by Universities Australia. When you submit your report and recommendation, you will also be prompted to provide your payment details.
Australian examiners
If you are an Australian examiner, you may wish to also complete the Tax File Number declaration, to avoid being taxed at a higher bracket. Overseas examiners are paid directly into the specified account.
While UniSuper remains the default superannuation fund for Monash University, you may now be able to nominate a complying superannuation fund of your choice. To reduce delays in processing your superannuation entitlements and to ensure your superannuation entitlements are paid to the fund of your choice, you will need to complete and submit the online digital form in addition to the other onboarding forms that you will be required to complete prior to commencing employment at Monash.
Please contact superannuation@monash.edu if you have any questions relating to superannuation.
To ensure there is no delay with your payment, it is important that all information is provided and accurate e.g. your full name, date of birth and details of superannuation.
Once all reports and comments have been received, unedited copies (including your identity) will be forwarded to the student, their supervisor and the Monash Chair of Examiners. You will be notified of the student’s final outcome once available.
