MPhil/PhD programme - FAQs

Research Methodology Course provides an orientation to the research process expected from the candidates following the MPhil/PhD programme to facilitate their development of a research proposal.

Yes. It consists of the following criteria:

No. This course is conducted on-site.

Yes. It is compulsory for all candidates to attend the research methodology course.

You will have to re-take the evaluations with the next batch.

You can get a supervisor during the development of your research proposal.

Yes, you can propose a supervisor to the coordinator of the programme.

The supervisor is appointed by the Faculty Board of the FGS on the recommendation of the Programme Coordinator. The Programme Coordinator will check the suitability of the supervisor proposed by the student as per the requirements of the FGS and the expressed consent of the proposed supervisor. Therefore, there is no guarantee that your proposed supervisor will be appointed.

You can have two to three supervisors depending on the (multi-disciplinary) nature of the study or methodological plurality. However, we recommend this number be limited to a main and a co-supervisor so that candidates can have more focused supervision during their research work

Yes, it is a must for you to record your supervisor meetings and get their signatures in the supervisor consultation record. You must submit this record during your progress review meetings.

Yes, you can get a foreign supervisor, however, you will also need to get a co-supervisor from the University of Colombo.

Yes. You should make a request to change your appointed supervisor on reasonable grounds. The Programme Coordinator will inquire from the supervisor before such a change is made.

• Complete the first year of study with research methodology course.
• Submit the three written chapters, namely, Introduction, Literature review (including a section on theory) and Research Methodology (as per the guidelines of the FGS with the recommendation of the supervisor/s).
• Make a written request to the Coordinator of the Programme at least one month before the submission.

Yes, it is a must to obtain the supervisor recommendation to submit chapters for upgrading.

Yes, you must make a written request to the coordinator of the programme about your intention of applying for upgrading at least one month before the submission of the three chapters.

After completing the first year of the programme (and subject to candidate’s successful completion of the Research Methodology Course).

Submit three copies of the first three chapters of the thesis namely, Introduction, Literature review (including a section on theory) and Research Methodology.

You will be required to continue with the MPhil programme.

No.

Pre-submission refers to the submission before the final submission of the thesis. It involves the candidate submitting the full thesis for checking for plagiarism and undergoing a pre-submission viva.

You should submit the complete thesis in a spiral-bound format along with an e-copy of the thesis via email.

Yes, the candidate should notify the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies about his/her intention to submit the thesis approximately three months before the intended submission date.

In the pre-submission viva, judgments can be (a) approval for final submission, (b) recommendations for revisions before final submission, or (c) suggestions for further improvements.

You may submit the final thesis as early as the revisions are completed.

You need to publish a minimum of two articles in refereed journals.

Yes.

No, this covers only the publications related to the current MPhil or PhD work.

You should not list them under the publication requirement in this regard.

MPhil thesis: having completed two years in the programme (from the date of registration), and subject to the successful completion of the compulsory Research Methodology Course.

PhD thesis: having completed three years in the programme, and subject to the successful completion of the compulsory Research Methodology Course.

You need to extend the validity of your candidature in the programme.

Note: There will be a delay in graduation, and you will have to make additional payments.

You should make a request, through the supervisor, to the Coordinator of the MPhil/PhD programme, stating the time period needed for the final submission and justification for such an extension to be granted.

Yes. The candidate shall, with the approval of the supervisor/s, inform the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies of his/her intention to submit the thesis at least three (03) months before the intended date of submission to enable the University to proceed with making necessary arrangements to appoint examiners.

Note: This is applicable for upgrading, pre-submission, and final submission.

Yes, the recommendation and signature of your supervisor is a must for the thesis to be accepted and to take necessary actions for the process of evaluation by the FGS.

Check your PhD handbook for guidelines on MPhil/PhD thesis format.
(OR)
Visit the FGS’s website for online documents regarding thesis formatting.
(OR)
Contact your Programme Coordinator.
(OR)
Seek advice from your supervisor/s for information on the format guide.

For MPhil thesis:  60,000 to 70,000 words

For PhD thesis:  90,000 to 100,000 words

Consult your supervisor for guidance and discuss potential revisions. Revise the thesis to reduce content without losing key information. You need to get approval from your supervisor and relevant authorities (Programme Coordinator and the Dean/FGS) if exceeding word limit is unavoidable.

1. How can I check the plagiarism of my thesis?

• Use tools like TURNITIN plagiarism checking software which the FGS recommends.
• Ensure accurate use of citations of sources and references.
• Properly cite direct quotes and ensure effective paraphrasing.
• Manually check for consistency and coherence in your thesis.
• Review the reports produced by plagiarism detection tool that you used for detailed insights.
• Seek feedback from peers or mentors to identify potential issues.
• Follow the FGS policy on plagiarism.

It will be considered as a serious academic offense. The repercussions will depend on the rate of plagiarism detected.

No. The FGS will accept three spiral-bound hard copies and an e-copy for the first submission of the final thesis.

Three spiral-bound hard copies and an e-copy of the thesis.

• Post viva correction table (Check the table given in the Student Handbook. You are expected to include all the comments made by both examiners wherever it is possible).
• Certificate of plagiarism checking (Given in the list of Annexures in the Student Handbook)

• To the FGS office through the respective programme coordinator.

Get ready for the viva voce examination.

A Minimum of two to three months.

Once the examiner’s evaluation reports are received, the date for the viva will be scheduled and communicated by the FGS office.

It will take a minimum of two to three months to obtain the examiners’ reports and arrange the final viva voce examination.

You will have to present the whole MPhil/PhD work, answer any queries and questions, and defend the work.

About 5-8 people including the Dean, Director of Studies, Programme Coordinator, Examiners, and supervisor/s.

(a) award the degree, (b) award the degree subject to minor amendments, (c) major amendments, (e) incomplete degree, or in case of PhD degree: (f) award MPhil degree subject to (a) and (b) above.

Re-work and resubmit the thesis under the guidance of the supervisor/s.

A maximum of three months.

A maximum of one year.

Yes. They are:

i. Thesis Submission Form
ii. Post-viva Correction Table signed by the Supervisor/s and appointed examiner, if any
iii. Research Contribution Declaration Form

1. List of publications related to the MPhil/PhD research with evidence

Consult the Programme Coordinator.

Yes, if there are any due payments (course fee, annual student registration validation payment, etc.) to be paid to the FGS/ University.

After the graduation ceremony is held and informed by the Examinations Branch to collect the Graduation certificate.

After the formal procedure at FGS and Examinations Branch is over, and the results are approved by the higher authority. It may take one to two months.

Obtain the “Withdrawal of Library Deposit” form from the Programme Assistant at FGS, fill out it, go to the Main Library, get it certified as “no dues”, and submit the document to the Programme Assistant.

Along with this form, submit the original payment slip (to prove the payment of refundable library deposit) and a letter to Senior Assistant Bursar (SAB) mentioning student details, how you would like to get the refund (e.g., receive the cheque by hand or get posted it to your mailing address), and the accurate name as appeared on the bank account (please note that refunds will be made only through cheques).

Go to the UOC website and the Examinations Branch via https://cmb.ac.lk/examinations and click on UOC Transcripts Requesting System (https://sis.cmb.ac.lk/transcripts/), then follow the instructions.

No, it is issued by the Examinations Branch of the University.

You may authorize a person for that by providing a letter with your student details, programme graduated, year of graduation, etc. and the details of the person who collects it with your signature. Due payments should be made, and the instructions of the examinations Branch should be followed in this regard.