PhD, MPhil or LLM
When you are ready to submit your thesis, please send it to us by email, either as a single pdf attachment or by providing a link to your thesis, to the Doctoral Examinations Officer at deo@reading.ac.uk. Please name the pdf in the format [SURNAME] [first name]_Thesis.pdf (e.g. SMITH John_Thesis.pdf).
If you are studying for a PhD, MPhil, or LLM, it is important that you read the following documents for information about the rules and process for submitting your thesis:
At least four months before you plan to submit your thesis, please notify us of your intention by completing and returning the notice of intention to submit thesis form (Word document, 0.8 MB) form.
Candidates are entitled to submit their thesis, without exceptional permission, eight weeks prior to the end of their minimum registration period.
If you wish to submit your thesis earlier than this, you will need to complete a Request for Early Submission of Thesis (PGR) (Word document) for approval by the Dean of Postgraduate Research Studies.
Further information relating to the examination process – written for the use of examiners – is available, for information:
- guide for examiners of research degrees (PhD, MPhil, LLM) (PDF, 0.1 MB)
- guide for examiners of PhD by Published Works (PDF, 0.2 MB)
- reviews of examination results for Higher Degrees by Thesis (PDF, 0.2 MB)
Electronic deposition of theses
For information on the electronic deposition of your final thesis, please see the separate guidance on the electronic deposition of theses page.
Confirmation statements
Statements confirming the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy by Thesis, and LLM by Thesis can be obtained from the Doctoral Research Office in the Doctoral and Researcher College after the candidate's award has been ratified by the Senate.
For all queries relating to research degree examination, please contact:
Sean Semple (Doctoral Examinations Officer)
Email: deo@reading.ac.uk
Telephone: (0) 118 378 4163
Professional doctorates
If you are undertaking a Professional Doctorate programme, the rules for submission of theses and the notice of intention to submit thesis forms are also applicable to you. However, there is a different version of the guide for examiners specific to your degree, which is provided for information:
- guide for examiners of Doctor of Agriculture and Food (DAgriFood) (PDF, 0.1 MB)
- guide for examiners of Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) (PDF, 0.1 MB)
- guide for examiners of the Doctorate of Education (EdD) (PDF, 0.1 MB)
- guide for examiners of Engineering Doctorates (EngD) (PDF, 0.2 MB)
Thesis preparation
University template front cover for theses
While it is not mandatory, the University prefers students to use its standard coversheet for their thesis. The ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø thesis cover template (Word template document, 0.6 MB) incorporates the University's logo (or device) and is available to edit in word format.
Thesis binding services
The ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Library has teamed up with experienced university binders, Hollingworth & Moss Ltd, to offer an online service for the binding of theses and dissertations. Further information can be found via the library website.