Once the thesis has been completed and is ready for submission, you must submit an application for the assessment of the thesis to the PhD Coordinator. The application must include all attachments required under Section 4-3 of the PhD Regulations.

It is important that you inform the PhD Coordinator of your planned submission well in advance. This is particularly important during holiday periods, such as the summer and Christmas holidays, in order to ensure the efficient processing of the application.

As a candidate, you are responsible for ensuring that all contributions to the thesis are appropriately acknowledged in accordance with the applicable regulations. Where the thesis includes work undertaken with co-authors, the necessary co-author declarations must be signed and submitted with the application.

When your employment or contractual relationship with USN comes to an end, your computer and any other IT equipment must be returned to the University. Please contact the IT Department for information regarding the procedures for returning equipment.

Before the employment relationship ends, research data must be managed in accordance with applicable approvals, agreements and regulations. Research data must be deleted, shared or transferred in a secure and responsible manner. If you require assistance, you may contact the Research Data Team at the University Library.

Once the application for assessment of the thesis has been approved, the Programme Committee appoints an Assessment Committee.

The PhD Coordinator then sends an electronic version of the thesis to the members of the committee. During the assessment period, neither the candidate nor the supervisors may have contact with the Assessment Committee.

The Assessment Committee is normally required to submit a reasoned recommendation within three months of receiving the thesis. The committee assesses whether the thesis is worthy of being defended for the doctoral degree.

Once the faculty has received the recommendation, it is forwarded to the candidate. The candidate is then given ten working days in which to submit any written comments concerning the recommendation.

The trial lecture and public defence mark the completion of the doctoral programme.

The topic of the trial lecture is determined by the Assessment Committee and communicated to the candidate ten working days before the lecture takes place. The topic must fall outside the principal subject area of the thesis. This enables the candidate to demonstrate breadth of academic competence.

The public defence is the candidate's formal public defence of the thesis. The faculty is responsible for planning and conducting the event.

The trial lecture and public defence are normally held on the same day.

Where physical attendance is not possible for the candidate, the opponents or other key participants, the public defence may be conducted digitally following an individual assessment of the circumstances.

See also: Framework for Trial Lecture and Public Defence at USN

The supervisor has no formal role during the trial lecture or the public defence itself.

However, supervisors often participate in events connected with the defence, such as receptions, lunches with the opponents and any doctoral dinner that may be arranged.

Although the supervisor is not involved in the formal proceedings, it is natural for the supervisor to provide support, advice and encouragement during the preparations for both the trial lecture and the public defence.

To ensure that you are well prepared for the trial lecture and public defence, it is recommended that you:

• read the Assessment Committee's recommendation carefully and familiarise yourself with any comments and evaluations
• prepare for questions and discussions that may arise during the public defence
• become familiar with the technical equipment available in the venue where the event will take place
• conduct technical testing in advance if the trial lecture or public defence is to be held digitally
• rehearse your presentations several times and adapt the content to the prescribed time limits
• prioritise clear communication and academic reflection rather than attempting to cover excessive amounts of material

The trial lecture and public defence mark the culmination of the doctoral journey. They provide an opportunity to present and defend your research before both the academic community and the wider public. Careful planning and thorough preparation contribute significantly to a confident and successful performance.