Hi, I received my corrections this week (I had my viva two weeks ago and corrections subject to the satisfaction of both internal and external examiners) and I am wondering what happen if my external is still not happy with my corrections (that I will do soon), can he just simply fail me? BTW, my situation is I passed my viva but was given 6 months to do some moderate corrections. My supervisor suggests me that I only have one more shot to make my thesis perfect based on the corrections. I checked some of the corrections (external gave to me), actually they are very vague. I am wondering if that is always the case? I asked every one in my department, nobody seems to be 100% sure with this kind of situation I am in now.

First, congratulations! I am not too sure,but i imagine it would be ok for you to email your external, cc your supervisor in, and ask for clarification?

Ask your supervisor to request clarification if possible. This is on the assumption that you can't contact the examiners until the corrections have been presented.

Ian (Mackem_Beefy)

I will discuss with my supervisor. Basically, my question is: Are these corrections can only be done in one time or multiple times until external is satisfied? Are there any people here experiencing multiple edits before the final edits after their vivas? I couldn't find any policy in my university.

A friend of mine went through multiple versions of the corrections until her external was happy. This is a *very* unusual thing to happen. Her external was being extremely difficult. This does not normally happen. Usually if you do your corrections, even the vague ones, and show that you've done them, then that is just fine. People worry unduly over corrections I think, but it is an understandable thing, and a funny limbo stage to be in. Good luck!

In a sense, the examiner is also punishing himself/herself for the multiple corrections/admin work or wasting time together...

It is only a student's thesis. Would the academic read? Maybe more of future PhD students are interested.