Structure & schedule
Structure
Confirmation examination (oral)
The confirmation (oral) exam is conducted after the comprehensive examination.
It is a preliminary examination to assess students’ ability to complete a high quality dissertation successfully in the remaining period of candidature.
The primary evaluation criterion is students’ performance in the intensive coursework and in the written comprehensive exam.
The confirmation hearing gives students the opportunity to present some preliminary research ideas that they may have, and to synthesise any literature that they may have studied in more detail.
The review panel comprises of
- Director (Research & PhD programme) or Head of Division
- Two faculty members within the same division in the School or
- One faculty member within the same division in the School and One faculty from another division in the School/another school in the University
Students may embark on their dissertation research and writing after they have passed the qualifying exam and confirmed their PhD candidacy.