Frequently Asked Questions

• I can’t open the files. What should I do?

  First please ensure you have the programs or apps capable of opening Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files and ZIP files, if you are unsure about this please talk to your IT Support team. If it appears that the files are corrupt then please contact the Submissions and Research Degrees Team (contact details on the left-hand side of this web page) who can arrange for the files to be uploaded again.

• I can’t download the files using the provided link. What should I do?

  a.  Ensure that the files haven’t already been downloaded to the location of the Downloads specified by your browser.

  b.  Contact your local IT Support.

  c.  If still unable to download then contact the Submissions and Research Degrees Team (contact details on the left-hand side of this web page).

• I haven’t received an email for the thesis I am examining. What should I do?

  Please contact the Research Degrees Team. It is most likely that either the student has not yet submitted or that your fellow examiner has not yet accepted the formal invitation.

• I have lost the email containing the thesis file links. What should I do?

  Contact the Submissions and Research Degrees Team (contact details on the left-hand side of this web page) who will be able to send you a new link.

• I have changed my email address. Who do I need to contact?

  Contact the Submissions and Research Degrees Team (contact details on the left-hand side of this web page) with your new details.

• What happens if the title of a thesis has been changed, but the original title is showing on the upload screen?

  This could be because either the candidate hasn’t informed their GSA and Submissions and Research Degrees Team of the new title or there is a delay in processing the title change.

• What happens if I realise that the student has not submitted an accompanying document which is referred to in the main thesis document?

  You should contact the Submissions and Research Degrees Team (contact details on the left-hand side of this web page), who will arrange for the files to be made available.

• Is it safe to download files using the provided links?

  Yes, the files have been checked for viruses and are safe to download.

• I received an email not meant for me. What should I do?

  Forward the email to the Submissions and Research Degrees Team (contact details on the left-hand side of this web page) stating why you shouldn’t have received the email.

• What are the additional files for?

  The additional files are any document(s) that are part of the thesis but either too large to be included with it or of a different media type to the main body of the thesis. This could include sound recordings, photographs, programming, video, etc.

• What happens if an examiner has downloaded the thesis, which the student has now realised is the ‘wrong’ file?

  The student will need to contact the Research Degrees Team in the first instance.

• How do I zip or/and unzip files and what can I include in my ZIP files?

  You need to use a program or app to create or open a ZIP file, if unsure please talk to your local IT support team.

• I have reached the maximum number of downloads. What should I do?

  Please contact the Submissions and Research Degrees Team (contact details on the left-hand side of this web page). They will be able to reset the number of downloads permitted.

• The student has sent me their thesis copy by email. Why do I need this version?

  The RTDS version is the offical submission. Please do not accept any other version from the student. This could lead to the examination being deemed void.