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Welcome to Enlighten: Dissertations

Enlighten: Dissertations hosts examples of undergraduate and taught postgraduate dissertations by students at the University of Glasgow. Dissertations included in this service have been uploaded with the permission of the author and on the instruction of the supervisor.

This service is currently accessible on-campus only . Requests for electronic versions of dissertations held in the service can be made by e-mail to [email protected] .

This service does not contain all dissertations produced at the University of Glasgow.

The Glasgow Theses Service hosts higher research degree theses.

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• Thesis & Dissertation Title Page | Free Templates & Examples

Thesis & Dissertation Title Page | Free Templates & Examples

Published on May 19, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on July 18, 2023.

The title page (or cover page) of your thesis , dissertation , or research paper should contain all the key information about your document. It usually includes:

• Dissertation or thesis title
• The type of document (e.g., dissertation, research paper)
• The department and institution
• The degree program (e.g., Master of Arts)
• The date of submission

It sometimes also includes your dissertation topic or field of study, your student number, your supervisor’s name, and your university’s logo.

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Table of contents

Title page format, title page templates, title page example, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions.

Your department will usually tell you exactly what should be included on your title page and how it should be formatted. Be sure to check whether there are specific guidelines for margins, spacing, and font size.

Title pages for APA and MLA style

The format of your title page can also depend on the citation style you’re using. There may be guidelines in regards to alignment, page numbering, and mandatory elements.

• MLA guidelines for formatting the title page
• APA guidelines for formatting the title page

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We’ve created a few templates to help you design the title page for your thesis, dissertation, or research paper. You can download them in the format of your choice by clicking on the corresponding button.

Research paper Google Doc

Dissertation Google Doc

Thesis Google Doc

A typical example of a thesis title page looks like this:

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The title page of your thesis or dissertation should include your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date.

Usually, no title page is needed in an MLA paper . A header is generally included at the top of the first page instead. The exceptions are when:

• Your instructor requires one, or
• Your paper is a group project

In those cases, you should use a title page instead of a header, listing the same information but on a separate page.

The title page of your thesis or dissertation goes first, before all other content or lists that you may choose to include.

In most styles, the title page is used purely to provide information and doesn’t include any images. Ask your supervisor if you are allowed to include an image on the title page before doing so. If you do decide to include one, make sure to check whether you need permission from the creator of the image.

Include a note directly beneath the image acknowledging where it comes from, beginning with the word “ Note .” (italicized and followed by a period). Include a citation and copyright attribution . Don’t title, number, or label the image as a figure , since it doesn’t appear in your main text.

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Glasgow School  for Business and Society

The Glasgow School for Business and Society integrates the areas of business, law and social sciences to ensure that they are well placed to meet the needs of business and society. The School has an international outlook and is committed to developing partnerships across the world.

Research Proposal and Dissertation

In addition to the information research skills which you develop as you progress through your course, undergraduate honours students and postgraduate students are required to develop and carry out a small-scale piece of research as part of their degree course. For undergraduate students, the research process starts either in Semester B of L3 or in semester A of L4, depending on how your course is structured. For postgraduate students, this process starts in Semester B of your course.

The research process during your degree has two stages:

• A research methods module, which is assessed through a research proposal (referred to as dissertation proposal in undergraduate Social Sciences courses)
• The dissertation module, which is assessed through the dissertation.

Unlike an essay or report, which evaluates, draws conclusions and makes judgements on the basis of published evidence (ie the literature), a research proposal does not answer a question, but identifies/develops a question for research and explains

• Why it's important to explore the problem
• How the researcher will explore the problem: what research strategy will be used, what type of data will be collected; how data will be analysed.

Once the research proposal has been approved by a supervisor, the researcher gathers primary or secondary data, analyses it and presents the results in the dissertation.

• What topics/issues in your field interest you? Don’t limit yourself to one topic – you may need to consider several issues/topics before you find one that you can do.
• What specific problems around this issue have been identified by researchers or practitioners in the sector/industry?
• Is an under-researched issue identified in the literature?

A research question is not the same as a topic. A research question should be specific and narrowly-focussed on a context such as a type of organisation (SME, third sector organisation, supermarket, national park, etc); a sector (telecommunications, voluntary sector, retail, a social group that meets specific criteria such as demographic, gender or experience; a geographical area). Because a research question is focused on a specific context, the answer to the question is not in the published research literature: the research question you develop will be answered in your dissertation by analysing the data that you collect. The type of data that you collect depends on what you want to find out

• Primary data is information that you gather from your informants (through, for example, survey questionnaires, interviews or focus groups) Most students doing research for a business or social sciences research.
• Secondary data is information that has already been published (eg financial information, information in a database, reports) that has been collected/compiled for a different purpose. Researchers analyse secondary data for a different purpose than it was originally intended.

The type of data you need depends on your research question. Most students doing research for a business or marketing topic are encouraged not to analyse only secondary data, but also to gather and analyse primary data. By contrast, it is quite common for students in finance and finance-related disciplines to develop a research question that requires only secondary analysis (eg of published financial or numerical data). Students studying history often analyse documentary sources (secondary data), while criminology, politics or sociology students may gather primary data from informants, or may analyse secondary data sources.  Media research often involves analysis of media content.

In identifying a research question, access is possibly the most important consideration. In order to answer your research question, you must have access to the primary or secondary data sources that can provide the information you need. You also need to bear in mind that information may be confidential, either for commercial reasons or because of its sensitive nature and so it may not be available to you.

• People in your previous/current jobs?
• Can friends/family help you get access to the people you want to talk to?
• Organisations may be willing to give you access to employees, but they are unlikely to help you if the research does not benefit them in some way.
• If you need secondary data, is the data publicly available?

All research proposals for dissertations have a similar structure, although the terminology relating to sections within the proposal may vary. The word count also varies – check your module handbook for a detailed description of what is required and the word count for each section.

• What research or events demonstrate that this question is important?
• Have recent developments made this question important?
• How is this question important in the research context that you have identified?
• What is the value of doing this research?
• The aim is a clear statement of what you want to find out
• The objectives can be compared to a process – what do you need to find out in order to achieve your aim
• What are the key perspectives/theories/models in the literature that are relevant to your study?
• What gap or underresearched area does your literature review highlight?
• Are you going to analyse primary or secondary data? Why?
• Are you collecting quantitative or qualitative data? Or both? Why?
• How are you going to collect this data?
• If you’re going to collect primary data, what is your sampling strategy?
• How are you going to analyse the data?
• What potential problems or challenges do you anticipate in doing this study?
• Projected time scale (Visually represented – Gantt chart or Excel spreadsheet)
• What has limited the scope of this study?
• What might make it difficult for you to achieve your aim?
• What might go wrong?

The aim of the literature is to identify key theories, models and/or research studies that shape our understanding of the issue. The research proposal is only a preliminary overview of the literature – the word count at this stage is not sufficient for a comprehensive literature review.  You will explore the literature in greater depth in your dissertation.

Your review of the literature should be guided by these questions:

• Are the definitions really different or just expressed in different words?
• What are the shared elements across definitions?
• Where/How are definitions different – in scope/focus?
• How have definitions changed over time - why?
• Which definition is being used for this study?
• What are the points of agreement and difference?
• How strong is the weight of research evidence for a particular perspective?
• How are these perspectives relevant to your research?
• Best practice/strategies
• Challenges to good practice
• Difficulties and barriers to addressing this issue?
• Does the research show a gap/mismatch between organisational/sector policy and practice?
• Is there enough research?
• Are the research findings generalizable to your proposed study?
• Geographical location
• Industry/sector
• Demographic.
• How does the model help us understand how to address issue?
• What are the criticisms and/or limitations of this theory, model or framework?

A dissertation is an extended piece of work (around 10-12,000 words) on a subject related to your degree course. You will normally choose the subject yourself which may develop from a research proposal you have completed earlier.

The dissertation is typically based on original research and demonstrates your expertise on the subject area. Dissertation comes from the Latin word ‘dissertare’ = ‘to debate’. Therefore your dissertation should include an examination of the subject from a number of different viewpoints.

Typically your dissertation should:

• Be a logically organised, critical analysis of a specific topic
• Show critical analysis of current literature on the specific topic
• Include a small-scale investigation to investigate a gap, key issues, themes or questions raised in the literature review
• Critically compare findings/data from primary research with that of existing evidence
• Draw conclusions and make recommendations.

This website contains general information and guidance on dissertation writing. However, always check your module handbook and with your supervisor for specific details.

A dissertation is a detailed report on your research investigation. It focuses on exploration of the particular issue or problem that your initial research proposal identifies as requiring further research. The key differences between the proposal and dissertation are that you will now be putting your proposed research design into practice to collect and then analyse your data.

Typically a dissertation has the following key features:

• Length and structure : 10 – 12,000 words that are logically organised in clearly linked chapters; chapters are arranged thematically in sections [See sample table of contents];
• A clear research aim : The dissertation is developed from, and closely directed by a specific research question and/or aim. The aim should be presented as a clear, straightforward statement of what you want to achieve [See:  How do I write a clear research aim and /or question and objectives for my dissertation?]
• A literature review : A critical review of literature on issues relevant to the research topic. This key stage and chapter should develop a clear discussion of what is known about the research topic in more detail. It includes critical comparison and questioning of key points of view, current thinking, definitions, relevant theories, models and previous research as found in the wider literature. From this literature review, you identify a gap in knowledge, key issues, themes and/or raise questions about your topic which requires the collection of new data to provide answers to these questions and/or fill the research gap.
• Analysis of data collected : You analyse the data you have collected through critical comparison of it with existing data you have reviewed in the literature review that explored definitions, relevant theories, models, major themes/debates and other previous research;
• Conclusions and recommendations : You provide conclusions to your research aim and/or question, key research objectives or hypotheses and make recommendations for future research and practice

Always check with your dissertation supervisor for specific details.

As for the proposal, the dissertation is developed from, and closely directed by a specific research question and/or aim [A clear statement of what you want to find out or achieve]. These may change from your initially proposed aim and/or question. Your research aim and/ or question should clearly and simply express the focus of your inquiry and the key variables you explore. The research question is not the same as a topic. A research question should be specific and narrowly-focussed on a context for example a type of organisation (SME, third sector organisation, supermarket, national park, etc); a sector (telecommunications, voluntary sector, retail); a social group that meets specific criteria such as demographic, gender or experience and/or a particular geographical area).

Because a research question is focussed on a specific context, the answer to the question is not in the published research literature: the research question you develop will be answered by analysing data that you collect.

A research aim and/or question can be built around the following key phrases:

• Aim: To critically explore the extent to which … Question: " To what extent do/does... ...?"
• Aim: To critically explore how X impacts on Y in the context of organisation Z Question: "In what ways/How does/What is the impact of X on organisation/population Y in the context of Z?"
• Aim : To critically analyse the factors that have contributed to the development of X in organisation/population Y Question: "What factors have contributed to the development of X in organisation/population Y?"
• Aim: To critically evaluate the role and impact of X on Y in Z Question: " What is the role and impact of X on Y in Z?"

A dissertation is further directed by having research objectives. These are clear statements that explain how you will meet your research aim and/or address the research question you have established. Objectives can be built using the following wording:

• To critically review X in order to
• To measure X by...
• To evaluate X by...
• To gain insight into X through
• To examine X by...
• To calculate X through the use of...
• To compare X with Y by...
• To assess the impact of X on Y by...
• To interpret X through application of Y...

For many dissertations the objectives correspond to each main chapter or key stage of the research process:

• Literature review: To critically review relevant theoretical and research-based literature in order to evaluate how ...
• Methodology : To adopt a mixed methods research design and undertake interviews with X in order to gain insight into how/why…
• Data analysis : To analyse the data collection through application of X’s theory… through comparison with previous research
• Conclusions and recommendations : To provide recommendations on how X could improve...

The introduction chapter provides the background/bigger picture and rationale to your dissertation. This can be developed in a range of ways:

• It outlines the relevant historical, legal, policy, sectoral and organisational context(s) in which the study is located;
• It explains what the study is about and why the study is important (the rationale) and what factors are driving the study – key changes? What is the research problem to be explored?
• Key terms/variables are broadly defined.
• Links can be made to key debates/perspectives that are relevant to study
• Introduce where the study is conducted, with whom and why: specific sector and organisation, key respondents?
• Narrows down to a clear statement of research aim, objectives and/or research questions that direct your study;
• Provides a summary of the content of the main chapters

The following two samples illustrate how two writers clearly meet these purposes.

Intro example file 1

Intro example file 2

What is a literature review?

The literature review chapter critically reviews key themes/issues relevant to your research topic and study’s aim, drawing on references to academic literature as appropriate. It presents a logical, detailed and coherent picture of what literature tells us about your selected research topic. Specifically it weaves together analysis of some or all of the following, funnelling down from a broad to specific analysis of the issues relevant to your dissertation:

• Compares debates/key perspectives relevant to your study that can assist in analysis of points of view expressed in the data you collect
• Compares definitions of key terms to assist in analysis of how definitions are expressed in your data
• Compares and evaluates models, frameworks and /or theories that may assist in analysing the data you collect
• Builds a picture of previous research through comparison of studies in journal publications: what does this research tell us about:
• Key challenges/problems faced and how other organisations have addressed these?
• The development of innovative approaches/strategies/’best’ practices used successfully in other organisations/sectors?
• The application of a model or framework to guide practice in other organisations/sectors?

Structure of the literature review

• Ensuring clear structure in individual chapters: where and how
• Include an introductory section to the whole chapter: states what the literature review aims to do, and identifies the key themes it explores;
• The chapter is divided up in individual sections that focus on one key theme/issue. Each key theme/issues is identified with clear headings and where necessary subheadings may be used to identify subthemes;
• The theme in each section is clearly introduced: you can briefly comment on relevance of the theme for your study’s aim
• In each section, the review of the literature on the key theme/issue is built up paragraph by paragraph [Please see the downloadable PDF: GUIDANCE NOTES: STRUCTURING YOUR LITERATURE REVIEW CHAPTER]

Guidance Notes

Writing critically in the literature review

Writing critically in the literature review about key debates/points of view

Critical writing can be developed by considering these questions:

• What are the key points of view on my dissertation topic?
• How do these views compare, diverge or conflict? Why?
• Why and/or how are these views relevant to my dissertation?

Writing critically in the literature review about definitions

• What key terms do I need to define?
• How have definitions changed, developed or evolved?
• Why have definitions changed?
• How do definitions conflict?
• What key points do definitions share?
• Are definitions viewed as too narrow; too broad; out of date and/or limited in some other way for my dissertation?
• Which definition is being used for my dissertation – why? Is it the most comprehensive? Most widely applicable?

Writing critically in the literature review about models, frameworks and/or theories

• Who is/are the main proponents of this model?
• What is/are the purpose(s) of this model? How has it developed over time? What are the key stages and structure of the model? How does the model work? What does it seek to explain?
• Why this model is potentially relevant to my dissertation?
• How can the model be used to help understand particular marketing, management, organisational, financial, HR, operational, social, cultural, psychological, economic and political issues? What processes or practices can this model guide/inform – what are its advantages?/ What insights does it provide?
• What are the criticisms and/or limitations /weaknesses of this model? Why?
• What are the possibilities of applying another model which is better? Why is this other model better – more holistic, comprehensive, up-to-date or can be used in combination with another model?

Writing critically in the literature review about research articles from journal publications

• What are the major findings of several research papers about this particular theme/issue?
• How have findings about this theme/issue developed from earlier to more recent research studies?
• How do findings compare, contrast or conflict on specific theme/issue?
• What issue is under-researched?
• What are the strengths and limitations of the research methods used?
• What challenges/problems are identified in studies?
• What examples of best practice/solutions do these studies highlight?
• What lessons could my research, case study organisation learn from these examples of best practice?

How does the literature review chapter link with the methodology?

From a critical review of the literature you identify key issues/themes/gaps/questions that require further investigation through the small-scale research project that you will explain and justify in the methodology. Overall your literature review should inform and direct your methodology in terms of what data you will collect, how you will do so, from where and from whom, allowing you to address the questions the literature raises.

What is a methodology chapter?

In the methodology chapter you are expected to draw on a range of textbooks on research methods to explain and justify all aspects of your chosen research design. The explanations and justifications in each of the following typical sections should continually link to your investigation and generally follow this structure:

• Research philosophy : explain briefly what e.g. interpretive philosophy of research is about and justify why it is most appropriate for meeting your study’s aim
• Research approach : explain briefly what e.g. an abductive approach involves; why was this most appropriate for your study?
• Sample and sampling approach : explain briefly what e.g. purposive sampling is; why is this approach best for your study?
• Choice of methods : explain e.g. what forms of data are collected through qualitative methods; why did a qualitative method provided you with appropriate data to meet your research aim?
• Data collection methods : explain briefly what e.g. a focus group involves; why did a focus group offer the most advantages for your study?
• Data analysis methods : explain what e.g. thematic analysis involves; why was analysing your data in this way the most appropriate choice?
• Ethical considerations : explain main ethical issues your study raised and how you addressed these
• Limitations : explain main limitations of your research design e.g. in relation to sample size and the implications of this for your findings

Please check your dissertation module handbook and with your supervisor for specific guidelines on the content and structure expected for the methodology chapter.

What is included in a findings chapter?

For some dissertations you will be asked to have a stand-alone findings chapter. This chapter focuses on the presentation of your data. This is typically presented in tables, charts and graphs etc., with accompanying concise commentary that describes, compares and contrasts e.g. patterns, trends and statistical results. It is in the next chapter where you use previous research and theory as explored in the literature review, to analyse and interpret these data as presented in the findings chapter.

• extracts/quotations from interviews and focus groups;
• comparative/descriptive statistics from questionnaires that are described and displayed in graphs, pie charts, tables etc.;
• results of different statistical tests or mathematical models/formulae;
• documentary information e.g. extracts of information from companies’ policies, financial reports, audit reports and annual reports; government policy in particular areas;
• extracts from series of newspaper articles reporting on a specific issue.

You do this through comparing your data with previous debates, definitions, theories, models and/or research as reviewed in your literature review chapter

• Which theory or model(s)/frameworks explored in the literature review provides an explanation for my data/ findings? How do my findings for this theme match up or align with the theory’s or model’s explanations? Do my findings point to a limitation of this model or theory?
• For this theme, are my data supported/confirmed by the research studies I discuss in the literature review? In what way?
• What are the similarities between my data/findings and past research findings in relation to this theme?
• Do my data/findings contradict, challenge or conflict with previous research findings? If so in what way? Why?
• Taken together what do my findings contribute to knowledge about/understanding of the research topic?
• What could my findings mean for practice?

(See GUIDANCE NOTES: Using the literature review to analyse your data for further key questions to prompt comparison of your data with previous research)

• Overview of the chapter As with every chapter in a dissertation, provide a brief overview that clearly explains/signposts the focus, content and structure of the chapter. For the analysis chapter in particular, you should identify clearly the main themes that will be addressed, emphasising that you will draw upon previous literature to analyse these themes.
• Profile of case study organisation If your study has been conducted in an organisation you can provide a profile, presented in a table that identifies e.g. its size, geographical location(s), number of employees, market share etc. – you should include profile information that is most relevant to your dissertation topic.
• Profile of interview and/or focus group participants Present in table form key information about your interview participants: age, gender, individual’s position in organisation, make-up of focus group participants etc. - you should include profile information that is most relevant to your dissertation topic.
• Profile of respondents to questionnaire Present in table form key information about who responded to your questionnaire e.g.: how many questionnaires were distributed and to whom; number of returned questionnaires; demographic details relevant to your study,
• Introduce the theme - refer back to literature review, draw on  authors to outline the significance of this theme
• Present/report data: compare and contrast your data in relation to this theme e.g. compare questionnaire respondents’ choices with those of views of interviewees
• Provide analysis of this theme through comparison with previous debates, definitions, theories, models and/or research as reviewed in your literature review chapter.
• Next major theme….

The conclusion chapter is not just a simple summary of all you have covered in the dissertation e.g. “I have looked at literature, then I designed an investigation and I analysed results…” Instead, you should restate, and offer answers to your research aim and/or question, key research objectives or hypotheses e.g. Key issues to emerge from the literature were… From comparing the data interviews with previous research it can be concluded that… Based on your conclusions you should be able to make recommendations for:

• Further research issues that a future investigation could explore
• Enhancement/improvement/development of particular practice as explored in a case study organisation
• How particular policy could change
• How effectiveness of theory or model could be further developed You may also be asked to identify the limitations of your study. Some supervisors prefer that this section is included in the methodology chapter. It is important to consult her/him on this.

Provide an overview of the chapter in which you:

• Restate what your dissertation set out to do: research aim and/or question, key research objectives and/or research questions or hypotheses
• Briefly remind reader of the context, background and/or importance of the topic or indicate the problem, controversy or a gap in the field of study.
• Clearly outline the purposes and structure of the chapter [See sample]

You can then conclude on each research objective in turn:

• What are you able to reasonably conclude from your review of the literature – key themes, debates, issues and or/gap in research you found?
• How suitable was your research design overall for meeting your aim and investigating these key issues raised by the literature review?
• How suitable was your research design overall for testing/upholding your hypotheses?
• What reasonable conclusions/insights can you offer from your analysis of your data through comparison with and support from previous research?
• What key contributions/new insights does your study offer to knowledge about the research issue?
• What further questions do your study raise that future research could address? [See sample]

Make recommendations based on key conclusions:

• Depending on your research topic, what can you suggest for future research, organisational practice and policy and/or development of a conceptual model or theory? [See sample]

In assessing your dissertation the marker expects to see that:

• you have developed a research project that has a realistic, well defined aim and/or question with related objectives;
• analyses key themes/issues that are relevant to your study;
• critically questions, compares and evaluates conflicting views, theoretical claims and previous research findings relevant to your topic;
• provides a detailed picture of current knowledge with which you can then analyse the data you collect;
• you have a methodology chapter that is informed and shaped by the literature review;
• you have carefully selected data collection and analysis methods that are clearly explained and justified as fit for purpose and which provide relevant data to meet your research aim;
• you have a logically structured analysis chapter in which you apply a range of literature to interpret and make sense of the data you have collected
• you have a conclusion chapter that makes concise and reasonable conclusions on the extent to which you have met
• how future research could be developed to address any questions your study raises;
• how an organisation could build upon and enhance its current practices

Please your dissertation module handbook for the specific marking criteria that will be used to assess your work.

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• College of Social Sciences
• Graduate School
• Information for current students and staff
• Frequently Asked Questions

Thesis Submission and Examination

Intention to submit form, what is an intention to submit form.

An Intention to Submit form is required by the Graduate School to confirm that you are ready to submit your thesis within three months of the date stated on your form or by your expected submission date (whichever date is sooner).

Where can I find this form?

• Intention to Submit

All Forms  are available on the Graduate School webpages.  

When should I complete the Intention to Submit Form?

The form should be submitted to the Graduate School about 3 months before your expected thesis submission date. This will allow us time to organise a Committee of Examiners for your viva.

When do I need to submit my thesis?

Your submission date will fall into one of two categories. Either 3 months from the date that the Graduate School are in receipt of the completed Intention to Submit Form or your expected thesis submission date, whichever date is earliest.

How do I submit my thesis?

Please use the University’s file transfer system to send your thesis/dissertation (as a PDF file) to the Graduate School .

We are currently processing electronic-only thesis/dissertation submissions and you are no longer required to hand in three soft-bound copies of your thesis.

Can I submit the Intention to Submit Form with my thesis?

Yes, this form can be submitted with your thesis. However, this will delay your thesis being sent out for examination and may also cause a delay in arranging your viva.

What happens if I don’t submit my thesis within the time stated?

You will be charged an additional fee for  submission of thesis after dealine has lapsed and your thesis may not be accepted for examination. If you think you will be unable to submit your thesis in time please contact your supervisors or the Graduate School for information on what support we can offer.

Nomination of Committee of Examiners

What is a committee of examiners.

The Committee of Examiners is a group of three academics who are approved to examine your thesis and conduct your viva. The group normally consists of :

Convener - Nominated by the Head of School or subject to oversee the examination process

Internal Examiner - An academic employed by the University of Glasgow

External Examiner - An academic from another University

If you are an employed by the University  of Glasgow your committee will have 2 external examiners

How are the examiners chosen?

Your supervisors will liaise with potential examiners who they feel are best suited to examine your thesis.

When will I find out who my examiners are?

Your supervisor may discuss potential examiners with you however you will not be told who the committee of examiners are until you have submitted your thesis to the Graduate School.

When will my thesis be sent to the Examiners?

Your thesis will be sent to the examiners as soon as possible after it has been submitted to the Graduate School provided we have received a completed, signed and approved Nomination of Committee of Examiners. Your thesis cannot be sent to the examiners without receipt of this form.

When should the Committee of Examiners Form be Completed?

As soon as we receive your Intention to Submit Form the Graduate School will contact your supervisors and ask them to complete the form. This process usually begins around 3 months before your expected submission date.

Nomination of the Committee of Examiners form

What happens if the thesis is submitted before the Committee of Examiners form is received?

Your thesis will not be sent to the examiners until a completed form has been submitted to the Graduate School and approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies

There is a problem appointing a convener, can the thesis be sent to the examiners in the meantime?

No, the thesis will not be sent to the examiners until the form has been completed in full and has been approved

Extension to Thesis Submission Date

What do i do if i need extra time to complete my thesis.

It is your responsibility to bring any factors that may affect your abilty to submit your thesis on time to the attention of the Graduate School and your supervisors before your expected thesis submission date .   If this is due to medical or other adverse circumstances then it is considered to be good cause and a period of medical leave may be granted.

We will be able to advise you on the steps to take to ensure you are able to submit your thesis for examination by an approved deadline without incurring a late submission fee.

Time limit 

The PGR Code of Practice section 10.25 states that if a student and their supervisor(s) perceive that the original submission date may not be achievable, they may, no later than 3 months prior to the planned submission date , apply for an extension to the deadline.

If an application is not submitted within this timeframe, it may not be taken forward for consideration.

If there are medical reasons for the request, you must notify the Graduate School as soon as possible and within 3 weeks of the good cause event or other circumstances  if you feel that you require additional time to submit your thesis. Retrospective applications will only be approved under exceptional circumstances. If you do not notify the Graduate School of your circumstances you may not be granted an extension to your thesis submission date unless you can provide a good reason why this information could not be presented in time.

How to Notify

Please submit an  Application for Extension to Thesis Submission Date  and Completion Plan  plus any supporting documents to the  Graduate School .

Evidence of Good Cause

Evidence should be in the form of a report that describes the medical condition or other adverse personal circumstances. Where the report refers to a medical condition of more than seven consecutive days duration the report must be completed by an appropriate medical practitioner.  It is also helpful if any evidence includes details of the exact effect on the ability to complete your PhD. Examples of good cause can be found in the University Code of Practice under section 10.28:

• Ill health (accompanied by medical certification);
• Death of a person with whom a close relationship can be demonstrated (e.g. immediate family member; spouse);
• Delay to data gathering/analysis due to lack of operable equipment;
• Dramatic change in circumstances (e.g. homelessness).

An extension cannot normally be granted on the grounds of employment. 

Important information:  Short term extension requests (less than 3 months) without compelling evidence of adverse personal circumstances in the thesis pending period will be rejected. Adverse personal circumstances include:

• Death of a person with whom a close relationship can be demonstrated (e.g., immediate family member; spouse);
• Dramatic change in circumstances (e.g., homelessness).

All students who request an extension not supported by significant adverse circumstances will be subject to a  late submission fee .

What is the difference between an extension and medical leave?

If you need extra time to submit your thesis you may be granted either a suspension or an extension. This will depend on the reason the additional time is required.

Medical Leave

If additional time is required because you are unable to work on your thesis for reasons of medical or other adverse circumstances i.e. if there is good cause, a period of leave may be granted. The period of your leave will be added to your expected thesis submission date and a revised date will be recorded on your student record. The duration of the leave should not normally be more than 12 months.

Extensions dealt with in this way will not affect the College submission rates however your student ID card will not be active during the period of leave. If you hold a tier 4 visa and the period of leave is for more than 60 days you will need to leave the UK and the University sponsorship of your visa will be withdrawn. 

If you require additional time for reasons other than medical or adverse circumstances e.g if there has been a delay to data analysis for some reason, or you miscalculated the time needed to proof read and prepare the thesis for submission you will be granted an extension. The duration of the extension will not be added to your expected thesis submission date. Extensions dealt with in this way will adversely affect the College submission rates if the final duration of study is more than 4 years. Your student ID card will be active and if you hold a tier 4 visa you should ensure your visa covers the period of the extension.

Can I submit an application for an extension after my expected submission date?

Not unless there have been exceptional circumstances which prevented you from submitting your application at the correct time.

Any additional fee for  submission of thesis after deadline has lapsed  applied to your record will not be removed in the event that a late application is approved.

What will happen if I submit my thesis late without an approved extension?

There is no guarantee your thesis will be accepted for examination and you will be charged an additional fee for submission of thesis after deadline has lapsed .