The thesis proposal
The guidelines are not rigid rules, nor are they a requirement that the thesis be fully researched before registration. However, candidates must demonstrate an understanding of how to set about a research proposal.
For more information, please see the downloads section.
Presentation and submission of a thesis
At the conclusion of research, the candidate shall submit a thesis for examination. This will occur after receiving an indication from the supervisor that the thesis is acceptable for submission.
However, a candidate is not debarred from submission without the supervisor's approval. The candidate must inform the Doctoral Degrees Board Officer in writing of his/her intention.
Please complete the Notice of Intention to Submit a PhD Thesis form.
The final dates for submission of such notification for the purpose of graduation are:
- 10 January for persons hoping to graduate in June
- 20 June for persons hoping to graduate in December
The dates for submission of theses are:
- 11 February for persons hoping to graduate in June 2013
- 15 August for persons hoping to graduate in December 2012
For more information please see Points which may be of Interest to PhD Candidates who have Advised of Intention to Submit a Thesis for Examination and General Rules for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Format of the thesis
There is no standard format for the submission of theses: formatting is at the discretion of the candidate.
The contents must be printed in either one and half or double spacing and printing on both sides of the page is recommended. The thesis may not exceed
Please click here to view the following documents for more information:
- General Rules for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Procedures for the Doctoral Degrees Board
- Guidelines for the Information and Use of PhD Candidates and Supervisors
- Points which may be of Interest to PhD Candidates who have Advised of their Intention to Submit a Thesis for Examination
- Guidelines for Abstracts for PhD Theses
- Publications, Copyright and your PhD Thesis
For more information on PhD in Music, please see:
- General Rules for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Music
- Procedures for the Doctoral Degrees Board (DDB): DMus Candidates
A candidate must submit three copies of the thesis in temporary binding (glue-spine binding) for the examiners, one unbound copy and one cd-rom (not exceeding 10MB) of the thesis to the Doctoral Degrees Board Office. The supervisor(s) should receive copies at the end of the examination process. When the thesis is under examination, the supervisor may have access to the library copies lodged with the Doctoral Degrees Board Office.
The thesis is examined by three external examiners, at least two of whom are commonly international. The selection of examiners is an important part of the examination process. Appointment of examiners of PhD theses are subject to the approval of the Doctoral Degrees Board.
It is imperative that candidates have no knowledge of the identity of examiners until the examiners give permission for their identities to be known after the examination process.
Please see the Guidelines for the Appointment of Examiners of Doctoral Theses and Procedures for the Doctoral Degrees Board. Music students should please see Procedures for the Doctoral Degrees Board (DDB): DMus Candidates.