Oral examinations

Once you've finishing writing your thesis or dissertation and it’s been approved by your supervisory committee, it’s time for your oral examination. Please reach out to your departmental graduate secretary when you’re ready to prepare for your oral examination. They can help, and will need to know you’re nearing completion.

Here are key links for you to review before your oral exam:

• Guidelines - master's and doctoral
• Oral examination by video

Your supervisory committee, an external examiner and a chair appointed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies will attend your examination.

The external examiner must be chosen by your supervisor. In the case of PhD oral exams, they must also be approved by the dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Review the Guidelines for the Appointment of External Examiners of Doctoral Candidates.

If you’re a doctoral student, your supervisor must complete a confirmation of arms-length status form before your examination. If you have two co-supervisors, they must each complete a copy of the form.

You must also submit a copy of the thesis approval form to your supervisor at the time of your examination.