Candidates pursuing MPhil or PhD studies are first required to register provisionally for the degree, and their registration is subject to a probationary period specified below. At the end of this probationary period and after (1) passing an oral examination and/or (2) submission of a detailed scheme of research, the candidacy will be confirmed.

Students can submit theses before the end of the normative study period but not earlier than the minimum study period which is half of the normative study period.