Examination Procedures

Examinations

Types of examination and level of performance in the examination is based on Rector Regulation of Universitas Diponegoro Number 5/2020 (amended by Rector Regulation of Universitas Diponegoro Number 29 of 2020). PDIE requires students to take a variety of different examinations: paper exams, seminar papers, a preliminary exam, a research proposal exam, a research finding exam and an oral examination of their doctoral thesis.

  1. Paper exams and seminar papers: these types of exams assess the student’s competence and skill in conceptual/theoretical aspects of core courses. All subjects require students to take paper exams and seminar papers; however, these exams may take on different forms, such as take-home exam or in-class exam, depending on the subject.
  2. Preliminary (Qualification) exam: this exam assesses the student’s competence and skills in identifying current issues in their research field of interest. Students are required to discuss the motivation of their research, identify phenomena and research gaps, and propose new ideas to demonstrate the novelty of their proposed research project. This exam can only be taken after a student has finished all core and elective courses in the 1st Semester and 2nd Three examiners (not including the student’s supervisor) are assigned in the examination. This exam will decide the doctoral candidacy of the student. This exam uses this evaluation form (in ENGLISH).
  3. Research Proposal Exam: This exam assesses the quality of a proposed research project and determines whether the proposed research project is acceptable for a doctoral thesis. Three examiners (not including the student’s supervisor) are assigned to this exam. This exam uses this evaluation form (in ENGLISH)
  4. Research findings Exam: This exam assesses the conceptual and methodological aspects of a research project and determines whether the research findings qualify for the minimum requirement of a doctoral thesis (i.e. the quality of the novelty, theoretical/empirical synthesis, research contribution, and academic writing). Four examiners (not including the student’s supervisor) are assigned to this exam. The examiners make and report their decision using this evaluation form (in ENGLISH).
  5. Oral Examination of Doctoral Thesis: This is the final exam taken after the submission of a dissertation. Students must complete an oral examination (viva) with four examiners, three internal to Universitas Diponegoro (not the supervisor or research advisor of the student), and one external (from any other university). This oral examination is arranged using  written technical guidance (in ENGLISH) This evaluation considers:
  6. The significance and contribution to knowledge of the undertaken research project.
  7. The extent and depth of the candidate’s scholarly awareness and use of related research findings.
  8. The effectiveness of the research methodology used.
  9. The trustworthiness of findings based on the research evidence.
  10. The professional quality of the writing.

All examiners should submit separate and independent written examination reports before the viva exam, which will be combined into one decision report (known as by the Berita Acara Ujian Promosi) by the Exam Committee. One of the following decisions will then be made:

  1. To award the doctorate,
  2. To ask the student to ‘revise and resubmit’ the thesis, making any necessary (minor or major) amendments before it is accepted, or
  3. To award a down-graded qualification (certificate of participation in learning).

After a successful thesis defense, the examiners will recommend the awarding of the degree of PhD.

Organization of the Examination Procedure

The examination procedures, especially for paper exams, are included in the syllabi for the respective subjects. Examination procedures for PDIE are organized by the Academic Office of PDIE and based on the Manual of Examination Procedures and criteria stated in Rector Regulation of Universitas Diponegoro Number 5/2020 (amended by Rector Regulation Universitas Diponegoro Number 29 of 2020). All paper exams are organized in Mid Term and End Term sessions. Students must be registered during the exam session, with a minimum class attendance of 75%, or they will not be allowed to join the exam.

  1. The Preliminary Exam, Research Proposal Exam, Research Findings Exam, and Oral (viva) Examination of the Doctoral Thesis can be done any time the student qualifies for the requirements of the exam. To take these exams, students must first apply online (using this link for (or dissertation feasibility) and this link for the ) or directly to the Academic Office of PDIE. The staff of the Academic Office will then distribute a list of exam applicants to the Head of PDIE to determine the examiners. These examiners will be sent an invitation letter, along with a proposal/dissertation and evaluation form, at least one week prior to examination day. On the examination day, staff prepare the room and manage the examination. Finally, after the examining committee has made and reported a decision on the results, staff will receive the examination reports (for all of the following exams: Preliminary, Research Proposal, Research Findings (feasibility), and Viva) and archive them for records of administrative and study progress evaluation.

Students facing disadvantages may apply for special accommodations and arrangements, in line with the disadvantage compensation policies of the university which are based on  Rector Regulation of Universitas Diponegoro Number 5/2020 (amended by Rector Regulation of Universitas Diponegoro Number 29 of 2020). Accommodations include exam modifications (extended time, alternative formats), alternative ways of completing assignments, and auxiliary aids and services. Compensation for disadvantages ensures that students with disabilities can take part in examinations on equal terms with those without. To ensure equal opportunities for everyone, students with an impairment must achieve the same academic standards to pass an examination as non-impaired fellow students. In other words, the compensations for disadvantages do not make it easier to pass examinations or give students unfair advantages. They only assist with the disadvantage experienced by the impaired students. Students can apply for such compensation to the Academic Office by including a supporting document for their request.