vic uni thesis

Submission requirements

You must ensure your thesis is prepared in accordance with VU's thesis guidelines before you can submit your thesis for examination.

Early submission

If you complete your thesis 12 months (or equivalent part time) before your candidature due date you must submit an application for early submission to the Graduate Research School .

Your application should contain:

• a copy of your thesis
• Release of Thesis form (PDF, 256.69 KB)
• detailed letter from your research supervisor providing reasons for early submission and confirming the thesis has been analysed through Ouriginal.

Your application for early submission will be reviewed by the Deputy Director of your Research Institute. The Deputy Director may convene a 'Research Institute Review Panel' to assist with reviewing and approving the application.

Release of thesis

You must submit a Release of Thesis form with your thesis so it can be released to examiners. The Chair of Examiners is normally the Deputy Director of your Research Institute.

• Release of Thesis (PDF, 256.69 KB)

However, if your Principal Supervisor is the Deputy Director of your Research Institute, then they are unable to act as Chair of Examiners. In this instance, the Director, Research Institute (or nominee) will normally act as the Chair of Examiners for your thesis.

Submitting copies of your thesis for examination

All candidates are required to submit one electronic copy of their thesis for examination (maximum 15MB) together with a Release of Thesis form for examination. Ensure you insert and sign the correct declaration page.

Learn more about preparing your thesis

• Student Declaration (PDF, 883.5 KB)

Submit all examination documents to  [email protected] .

The Admissions and Candidature Team will organise for the relevant Research Institute Deputy Director or nominee to sign and approve the Release of Thesis.

The University is committed to planetary health . Therefore, the Graduate Research School will not print hard copies of your thesis. You are responsible for providing the Graduate Research School with a temporary bound copy of your thesis if requested by an examiner. You are also responsible for ensuring the submitted hardcopy is the same version as the submitted electronic copy.

Acceptable forms of temporary binding are spiral and thermal binding. The thesis can be printed double-sided.

If you are on a scholarship, email [email protected] to see if you are eligible for a binding allowance.

VU uses Ouriginal as its mechanism for undertaking originality checking in any written submissions.

Candidates (students) are advised to check the originality of their thesis with the Ouriginal software to avoid missed citations or accidental plagiarism.

All graduate candidates have access to Dropbox – Originality Check via the ‘Student Induction Space' found within VU Collaborate

Using the originality check

As a research student, you can check references and originality in any piece of your writing (from a draft of a coursework essay to the final draft of your PhD thesis). This should be a part of your regular self-assessment and professional development and will also be a formal requirement at the submission of your final thesis.

Originality checking can be undertaken through the test Dropbox that has been set up for you in the Student Induction Space on VU Collaborate .

This Dropbox will not retain your work on its repository – therefore, by checking your work here, you are not at risk of accidentally ‘plagiarising yourself’.

Prior to submitting your document into the dropbox, ensure the document does not contain less than 400 characters, and is not more than 50MB, as this will cause an error to appear when generating an Originality Check.

What to do when your file upload exceeds the maximum file size limit?

• Convert your file to PDF.
• Split PDF by number of pages (use Adobe Acrobat Pro DC to split your large PDF into smaller separate documents and refer to Adobe guidelines to use PDF splitter).
• Upload multiple split files to the Assessment Dropbox.

At the point of checking the final draft of your research thesis, you should retain the Urkund report to include with your thesis submission.

Please refer to the student guide to using Ouriginal . In addition to the guide,  Research Ambassadors can provide support with this software.

Questions regarding the use of Ouriginal can be directed to the Connected Learning team via the ‘Chat’ button on any VU Collaborate space. For any other queries, please email [email protected] .

Self-bind facilities are available at most campus libraries. Please enquire at the service desk of your campus library.

To have your thesis bound, search online for 'bookbinder', or use our identified bookbinders:

Doncaster Bookbinders , Moorabbin +61 3 9555 4633

Prompt Thesis Binding, Kilsyth 0431 693 093

A G Bookbinders, West Melbourne +61 3 9329 0288

Apollo-Moon Bookbinders, Rowville +61 3 9763 2299

Irwin and McLaren Bookbinders , Richmond +61 3 9428 5829

Whites Law Bindery , Caulfield South +61 3 9523 6026

Scribe Bookbinding , Carlton North +61 3 9347 0039

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Find repository resources, search the vu research repository.

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Victoria University Research Repository (VURR, formerly known as VUIR) is an open access repository that showcases the research and scholarly outputs of VU staff and higher degree research students. Full-text versions of the research may be available with the permission of the authors, and when copyright allows.

About VURR The VU Research Repository (previously known as VUIR) is an open access repository that contains the research papers and theses of VU staff and higher degree research students.

Submit a paper The VU Research Repository is indexed by Google, Trove & OAIster. Submit your research outputs and make them available to the world.

Thesis Self Deposit - A Guide

• Formatting your thesis
• Where will my thesis be kept?

Digital Guidelines

Non-standard theses formats.

• Research codes
• Select the collection
• Describe your thesis
• Author, title and abstract
• Upload files and review entry

You must supply one digital copy of the final version of your thesis. Our guidelines below set out the standard formats for research theses, but with prior permission, the Library will also accept non-standard formats.

If you have any questions about the formats, please contact :  [email protected] .

The digital copy of your thesis should:

• If possible, be a single file in PDF format.
• Be identical in content to the final marked copy (with the possible exception of any third party copyright material, see further information below).
• Be of a reasonable file size. The largest a digital copy of your thesis can be is 1 gigabytes (1 Gb). If your thesis is near this limit or over it, it may have to be split into multiple files—for example, the main chapters in one file and appendices in another. Before splitting your thesis, try to reduce its file size if you can. For more assistance, please contact : [email protected] .
• Include a short abstract (approximately 500 words) in a form suitable for publication.
• Have numbered pages.
• Have body text in a 12-point font, with 1.5 line spacing.
• Include a title page that complies with the  Sample PhD Thesis Title Page . Please note that the year included on the title page should be the year the thesis is deposited in the Library.
• You may deposit any datasets or other files that support your thesis. The limit of 1GB applies to individual files.

Third Party Content

• If your thesis contains third party content (images, video, etc), for which you do not have clearance, please supply two digital copies of your thesis. One must be identical to the final marked copy and the other is a redacted copy with the material redacted .

Personal Information

• Similar to third party content please redact any personal contact details and signatures (in any part of the thesis; even in ethics approval letters).

PDF Creation

• Where possible use the latest version of the software to create your PDF.
• Make it backwards compatible to Adobe Acrobat v 5.0.
• Use settings to minimise the file size.
• All fonts should be embedded. The easiest way to check that you have converted your files correctly is if you can copy and paste words from the PDF.

Document Formats

• All theses must be in PDF format.
• However for supplementary files all document formats are accepted.
• If you do not have PDF conversion software, please  contact us for more information .
• Filenames should contain only alphanumeric characters (a-z, 0-9), underscores, or hyphens.

Security settings on PDF files

• Ensure no security setting is placed on your PDF, access restrictions can be placed on the document by Library staff.
• Outline any access restrictions on the Thesis Consent Form, or by selecting the appropriate access option when depositing your thesis online.
• If you have data collections or appendices that supplement your thesis, we can assist in archiving these datasets, please contact us for more information .

The Library will be happy to accept your thesis in a non-standard format where this has been approved by your Head of School. You must include the completed Non-Standard Format Permission form with your submission.  Some examples of non-standard formats include music scores; three-dimensional models; performance recordings; or works in fabric, wood, plastic or metal. If you’re unsure, contact [email protected] for guidance. You should consider any requirements for a non-standard format as early as possible. PhD candidates should normally apply for this approval when they move from provisional to full registration; Master’s by thesis candidates should give some indication of a non-standard format when completing their three-month progress report, with confirmation at the eight-month progress report. Download Non-Standard Format Permission    93.76 KB

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• URL: https://libguides.victoria.ac.nz/thesis-self-deposit

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Thesis formatting guide

Ensure you have met the formatting guidelines for your thesis before you deposit.

All theses deposited to the Library must abide by the following guidelines. If you have any questions about the formats, please contact the Library Research Services team.

Requirements

Your thesis must :

• Be clearly typed with no marking comments
• Include a title page that complies with the standard for all Victoria University of Wellington theses ( see sample pdf )
• Have numbered pages
• Include an abstract, written in accordance with the requirements of your degree.

We also recommend that your thesis:

• Has body text around 12-point font size, with 1.5-line spacing
• Has margins of at least 2 cm.

Your file must :

• However, for supplementary files, all document formats are accepted
• Where possible use the latest version of the software to create your PDF
• Use settings to minimise the file size
• All fonts should be embedded; the easiest way to check that you have converted your files correctly is to see if you can copy and paste words from the PDF
• Ensure no security setting is placed on your PDF; access restrictions can be placed on the document by Library staff if necessary.
• Be a maximum of 1 gigabyte in size. If your thesis is over the limit, it will need to be split into multiple files before you deposit it. However, we strongly urge you to try and reduce the file size as much as you can.
• Have a filename that contains only alphanumeric characters (a–z, 0–9), underscores, and/or hyphens.

Non-standard theses formats

The Library will be happy to accept your thesis in a non-standard format where this has been approved by your head of school. You must include a completed Non-standard format permission form pdf with your deposited thesis.

Some examples of non-standard formats include music scores; three-dimensional models; performance recordings; or works in fabric, wood, plastic, or metal. If you’re unsure, contact the Library Research Services team for guidance.

You should consider any requirements for a non-standard format as early as possible. PhD candidates should normally apply for this approval when they move from provisional to full registration. Master’s by thesis candidates should give some indication of a non-standard format when completing their three-month progress report, with confirmation at the eight-month progress report.

Please ensure that each section of the form is completed correctly, as specified by the guide to completing the form pdf .

Related links

• Deposit your thesis

Library Research Services

Contact the Library Research Services team if you have questions or require further information

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Higher Degrees by Research Procedure 8 Thesis Requirements

Section 1 - summary, section 2 - hesf/asqa/esos alignment, section 3 - scope, section 4 - definitions, section 5 - policy/regulation, section 6 - procedures, part a - summary of roles and responsibilities, part b - components of a higher degree by research, part c - broad thesis requirements by hdr degree, master of applied research, masters by research, master of research and master of research practice, doctor of philosophy and doctor philosophy (integrated), professional doctorates, part d - detailed thesis requirements, thesis titles, thesis format, basic thesis requirements, thesis by creative project, thesis with publications – (doctoral level only).

(1) This Procedure outlines the components and requirements of a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) thesis.

(2) HESF: Standard 4.2 Research Training; 7.2 Information for Prospective and Current Students.

(3) ESOS Act: Part 3 Division 2; Part 5 Division 2.

(4) This Procedure applies to domestic and international candidates and University staff administering this Procedure.

(5) Timely Duration

(6) Higher Degrees by Research Policy

(7) Victoria University (VU) offers a number of research degrees for which a thesis is the major component of assessment, as defined in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). These include Master of Research Practice, Master of Research, Master of Applied Research degrees, the Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) and the PhD (Integrated).

(8) The thesis may take the form of a standard written work, or may be submitted in an alternative thesis format. Alternative theses may include appropriate creative arts projects, or a thesis with publication that includes published and publishable papers with linking and framing material.

(9) Regardless of the discipline and presentation format, the research undertaken and the depth of knowledge demonstrated in the thesis must satisfy the requirements for each degree as outlined in Part C – Broad Thesis Requirements by HDR Degree.

(10) In addition to meeting the academic requirements of the degree, graduates are expected to acquire a range of generic skills and attributes. Whilst these attributes apply to all candidates, doctoral candidates are expected to acquire these skills at a more advanced level than Master Degree candidates. This expectation reflects the difference between Level 10 and Level 9 as outlined in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

(11) The suite of Master of Research degrees are AQF Level 9 degrees with the objective of training the candidate in the application and critical evaluation of research methods and methodology through the conduct of a specified program of research under appropriate supervision. The thesis for the:

• Master of Applied Research, Master of Research and Master of Research Practice is expected to be no more than 50,000 words (and normally in the range of 25,000-50,000 words).
• Masters by Research degree is expected to be no more than 60,000 words (and normally in the range of 30,000-60,000 words). 

(12) A Master of Applied Research, Masters by Research, Master of Research and Master of Research Practice degree is awarded after external examiners and the Chair of Examiners are satisfied that the candidate has demonstrated:

• a thorough understanding of the relevant techniques in the field of research by both a thorough review of the literature and application of the techniques;
• competence in the chosen field through judicious selection and application of methods to yield a significant body of work;
• capacity to critically evaluate and effectively present this body of work.

(13) The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD and PhD (Integrated)) are both doctoral level at the AQF Level 10 degree which provides training and education in research under appropriate supervision, with the objective of producing researchers capable of conducting research independently at a high level of originality and quality. A doctoral candidate should uncover or create new knowledge by the discovery of new information, formulation of theories, development of new approaches, or the innovative re-interpretation of existing ideas, theories or approaches.

(14) A PhD or PhD (Integrated) thesis is expected to equate to a sustained piece of written work and demonstrate the candidate’s ability to report research in a clear and succinct manner. Although there is no prescribed minimum length for a thesis as this will vary depending on the research topic and form of presentation, normally the thesis will be no less than 50,000 words and no more than 80,000 words in length. VU does not discriminate between the PhD or the PhD (Integrated) for the purposes of examination.

(15) A Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded after external examiners and the Chair of Examiners are satisfied that the PhD/PhD (Integrated) candidates have demonstrated:

• a deep and thorough understanding of the relevant techniques in the field of research;
• capacity to critically evaluate and effectively present this body of work;
• independence of thought and approach;
• an original contribution to knowledge in the field.

(16) A professional doctorate is a research degree at the AQF Level 10 that focuses on the issues and problems of a particular profession.

(17) This degree has the objective of developing the candidate as a professional able to conduct research into their professional field at a high level of originality and quality. The professional doctorate provides education, training and development to assist candidates to uncover new information or insight within their professional area.

(18) A professional doctorate thesis is expected to equate to a sustained piece of written work and should normally be no less than 50,000 words and no more than 80,000 words in length.

(19) A professional doctorate is awarded after external examiners and the Chair of Examiners are satisfied that the candidate has demonstrated:

• a thorough understanding of the relevant techniques in the field of research;
• competence in the professional area through judicious selection and application of methods to yield a significant body of work;
• an original contribution to knowledge or practice within the profession.

Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated) Year One Thesis

(20) During the first year (EFT) of the PhD (Integrated), candidates are expected to submit a Year 1 Thesis (12000-15000 words) to an AQF Level 9 which will normally be assessed internally.  Details about the Year 1 Thesis can be found in the coursework documentation.  

(21) All thesis titles must:

• be a clear description of the research project;
• be concise, containing no more than 150 characters;
• be in sentence case with only the first letter of the significant words capitalised;
• refrain from using abbreviations or acronyms wherever possible.

(22) Thesis titles are considered provisional until candidature has been confirmed. Where there has been a change of title from that which was approved at confirmation of candidature, candidates must report the change and the reasons for it on the Release of Thesis form at the time of submission. Minor amendments to the thesis title can be made at classification.

(23) Thesis format at VU can fall into one of three categories:

• Traditional (Research Masters or Doctoral level);
• Creative (Research Masters or Doctoral level);
• Publication (Doctoral level only).

(24) The proposed thesis format is approved through the confirmation of candidature process.

(25) A change from traditional thesis format to an alternative thesis format post-confirmation of candidature is only possible for the PhDs and PhD (Integrated) (AQF Level 10).

(26) A change to thesis format post confirmation of candidature must be declared at the time of thesis submission on the Release of Thesis form .

Presentation

(27) Higher degree by research theses should be presented in a logical and concise manner. Victoria University specifies the following for research theses:

• the text must be typed on A4-sized paper at either double, or one and a half spacing;
• the recommended font size is 11 or 12. Common fonts used are Times New Roman and Arial;
• diagrams, figures, images, tables etc. must be labelled, captioned and situated nearby to the text that refers to them, unless other disciplinary conventions specify otherwise;
• all pages must be numbered; and
• margins of a minimum of three centimetres on the left and right side of each page.

Mandatory Elements

(28) Victoria University requires the following mandatory and ordered elements for all research theses to be accepted for examination:

• Thesis must be written in English.
• Title page showing the title of the thesis, the degree for which it is submitted, the full name of the candidate, the month and year of submission, and VU (refer to thesis layout sample ).
• Signed declaration of authenticity .
• Abstract of no more than 500 words summarising the context and purpose of the research project, method of analysis used and major conclusions drawn.
• Comprehensive acknowledgements section. It is crucial that all who have contributed to the formation of the thesis are appropriately acknowledged, including anyone who has been involved in proofreading and editing or in other ways contributing to the work, such as previous supervisors.
• Additional declarations as per clause (38) for Theses with Publication.
• Comprehensive Table of Contents, with hyperlinked page numbers.
• Body of thesis, normally with linked introductory, literature review, method, results/findings, discussion and conclusion chapters, subject to disciplinary conventions.
• Bibliography.
• Appendices (as required).

• The typical word length of a thesis will be influenced by the discipline of the candidate’s research therefore if the word limit is below or beyond the amount specified for the degree at the time of submission, the relevant Associate Director, Research Institute (or nominee) will determine if the thesis can be placed under examination. If required, the Associate Director, Research Institute (or nominee) will consult with the candidate’s Principal Supervisor. 
• In cases where the maximum word limit is exceeded, the supervisor must contact the examiners and obtain clearance that they are willing to review a thesis of this length. The letter accompanying the thesis must make reference to contact made and approval sought from the proposed examiners. Candidates whose thesis exceeds the maximum word limit for the degree that they are submitting for examination must state the number of words of their thesis in their signed declaration of authenticity  (see clause (28c.)).

(29) In this format the thesis comprises a substantial creative project and is presented in the format of one or more creative works in the candidate’s chosen medium/media (referred to as the Creative Component) and an accompanying critical reflective written piece (referred to as the Analytical Written Component or Exegesis).

(30) These components are examined together as an integrated whole constituting the original and substantial contribution to knowledge required of research candidates. The balance between the Creative Component and the Analytical Written Component is negotiated at the outset of candidature between the supervisor and the candidate and approved by the relevant Associate Director, Research Institute(or nominee).

(31) The thesis abstract in this format outlines the nature, scope and intent of the Creative Component. The abstract must provide a brief description that locates the Creative and Analytical Written Components within their relevant fields of theory and practice. It must also outline the proportionate balance between the respective Creative and Analytical Written Components, and their preferred ‘reading/viewing’ order.

(32) Such submissions must equate to the standard requirement for the specific research degree of a sustained piece of written work and fulfil the designated degree requirements for thesis quality and contribution.

(33) In all submissions, the written component must comprise no less than 30 per cent of the total work presented as the Thesis by Creative Project. This equates to 18,000-30,000 words for PhD theses and 12,000-20,000 words for Masters Research Degree theses.

(34) The timing of the submission of the respective components of a Thesis by Creative Project is outlined in Higher Degrees by Research Procedure 9 Submission, Examination and Classification .

(35) VU permits the presentation of a thesis with:

• scholarly publications;
• manuscripts accepted for scholarly publication after peer review; and/or
• manuscripts ready for submission for peer review;

(36) The initiation, key ideas, development and writing up of each of the scholarly publications and/or manuscripts submitted, or those ready for submission for scholarly publication, within the thesis must be the primary responsibility of the candidate. When any paper has multiple authors, the candidate must be the principal author of the work. Prospective authors can refer to the Universities Australia, NHMRC and the ARC’s Guide to Authorship , for clarity on the conditions of authorship. This must be supported by written verification from the co-authors , including their permission to incorporate the paper in the thesis submission. The research upon which the thesis and publications/manuscripts are based must not have been undertaken for another degree.

(37) Scholarly publications included in the thesis must represent original research and must have been subject to academic peer review.  The scholarly publications may be in the form of a journal article, monograph, book chapter, conference paper, or other format relevant to the candidate’s discipline. The scholarly publications included in a 'Thesis with Publications’ must not have been published more than 10 years before the date of the submission of the thesis for examination.

(38) Manuscripts (as compared to publications) representing original research to be submitted for scholarly publication which are included in the thesis may be in any one of the following stages of development:

• accepted for publication after peer review; or
• under peer review; or
• certified by the Principal Supervisor as being at a standard suitable for submission for peer review.

(39) It is expected that the scholarly publications and the targeted outlets for the manuscripts to be submitted for publication are of high quality. This may be demonstrated via Scopus quartile rankings or, for example, via discipline-specific rankings or the scholarly reputations of the editors or publishers. Supervisors and candidates are reminded, however, that it is the academic standard of the overall thesis which is examined.

(40) At the time of thesis submission, at least 50 per cent of the outputs included in the thesis must be scholarly publications or manuscripts accepted for scholarly publication after peer review.

(41) Overall the material presented for examination must meet the requirements of an AQF Level 10 doctoral degree. The total number of papers and/or manuscripts will vary for each candidate, and will depend on the proportion of the overall thesis that is presented as scholarly publications and/or manuscripts. The supervisory team is the main source of appropriate advice to PhD candidates with respect to disciplinary norms in these matters, and on the integrity and equivalence of the proposed thesis submission to that presented in a standard thesis format.

(42) Normally, the scholarly publications and/or manuscripts included in a 'Thesis with Publications’ are expected to have been developed during the period of candidature. Candidates may, however, be permitted to incorporate:

• scholarly publications which were published prior to enrolment in their doctoral degree at VU; and/or
• manuscripts they may have ready, or deemed to be ready by their proposed Principal Supervisor, for submission, in accordance with clause (41).

(43) In such cases, the academic merit of the research and the suitability of the scholarly publications and/or manuscripts will be verified prior to enrolment through the University’s Advanced Candidature approval process (see Higher Degrees by Research Procedure 1 Admissions ).

(44) In all 'Thesis with Publications’ submissions the preparation of the framing and linking materials should be conducted whilst the candidate is enrolled in their doctoral degree.

(45) Theses submitted in the ‘Thesis with Publications’ format must include an Abstract that includes a summary of the main findings presented in each of the scholarly publications and/or manuscripts. The Abstract should indicate how the scholarly publications and/or manuscripts are connected to a coherent conceptual framework, and how, when considered together, they demonstrate a significant new contribution to knowledge in the discipline or field at the doctoral level.

(46) The scholarly publications and/or submitted manuscripts must be framed and linked with material to:

• contextualise the research problem;
• justify the theoretical framework;
• comprehensively review the relevant literature (especially that not covered in depth within the scholarly publications and manuscripts);
• account in detail for the research design, including linking of the scholarly publications and/or submitted manuscripts to the broader research problem and approach; and
• draw conclusions, in relation to the overarching research problem or theme, about its contribution to knowledge, its limitations and practical significance.

(47) The submission for examination must include the following, in addition to the normal thesis presentation requirements:

• a list of scholarly publications and/or paper manuscripts, including verification of Scopus quartile ranking of the publication, or other indicator of quality, and of the status of the paper in relation to its submission, review or acceptance;
• a declaration by the candidate about co-authorship and contribution to the work for each scholarly publication and/or paper manuscript including acknowledgement of joint or multiple authors and verification of each of their contributions and permissions;
• copies of the scholarly publications and/or paper manuscripts.