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You no longer need to submit a physical copy of your thesis. Please refer directly to the “Submit Your Thesis” section below.
This information is for research students submitting a thesis for assessment. It tells you how to:
- format your thesis
- submit your thesis
- bind your thesis (if applicable)
- submit the final copy of your thesis
There are different requirements for students of fine arts, design, architecture or town planning.
Find out more about these requirements
Format your thesis
UCL theses should be submitted in a specific format, this applies to both the viva and final copies of your thesis.
Presentation
In the electronic version of your thesis, hyperlinks (including DOIs) should be functional and resolve to the correct webpage.
We would recommend using Arial or Helvetica fonts, at a size of no less than 12.
Find out more about the accessibility guidelines
If printed, please present your thesis in a permanent and legible format.
Illustrations should be permanently mounted on A4 size paper and bound in with the thesis; you may not use sellotape or similar materials.
Paper
A4 size paper (210 x 297 mm) should be used. Plain white paper must be used, of good quality and of sufficient opacity for normal reading. Both sides of the paper may be used.
Layout
Both sides of the paper may be used.
Margins at the binding edge must not be less than 40 mm (1.5 inches) and other margins not less than 20 mm (.75 inches). Double or one-and-a-half spacing should be used in typescripts, except for indented quotations or footnotes where single spacing may be used.
Pagination
All pages must be numbered in one continuous sequence, i.e. from the title page of the first volume to the last page of type, in Arabic numerals from 1 onwards. This sequence must include everything bound in the volume, including maps, diagrams, blank pages, etc. Any material which cannot be bound in with the text must be placed in a pocket inside or attached to the back cover or in a rigid container similar in format to the bound thesis (see Illustrative material).
Title page
The title page must bear the following:
- the officially-approved title of the thesis
- the candidates full name as registered
- the institution name 'UCL'
- the degree for which the thesis is submitted
The title page should be followed by a signed declaration that the work presented in the thesis is the candidate’s own e.g.
‘I, [full name] confirm that the work presented in this thesis is my own. Where information has been derived from other sources, I confirm that this has been indicated in the thesis.'
Please see the section below entitled ‘Inclusion of published works in doctoral theses’ for more information about how to indicate when you have re-used material that you have previously published.
Abstract
The signed declaration should be followed by an abstract consisting of no more than 300 words.
Impact Statement
The abstract should be followed by an impact statement consisting of no more than 500 words. For further information on the content of the Impact Statement, please see the Impact Statement Guidance Notes for Research Students and Supervisors on the Doctoral School's website.
Find out more about the Impact Statement
Inclusion of published works in doctoral theses
If you have included any work in your thesis that you have published (e.g. in a journal) previously, then you will need to insert a completed copy of the UCL Research Paper Declaration Form into your thesis after the Impact Statement. The form, and information about how to complete it is available on the Doctoral School’s website.
Find out more about the UCL Research Paper Declaration Form
Table of contents
In each copy of the thesis the abstract should be followed by a full table of contents (including any material not bound in) and a list of tables, photographs and any other materials. It is good practice to use bookmarking within the PDF of the thesis in electronic form to allow readers to jump to the relevant section, figure, table etc. from the table of contents.
Illustrative material
Illustrative material may be submitted on a CD-ROM. If you wish to submit material in any other form, your supervisor must contact Research Degrees well in advance of submission of the thesis.
Any material which cannot be bound in with the text must be placed either in a pocket inside or attached to the back cover or in a rigid container similar in format to the bound thesis. If it is separate from the bound volume it must be clearly labelled with the same information as on the title page. Each copy of the thesis submitted must be accompanied by a full set of this material.
Submit your thesis
Viva copies
You must submit an electronic version of your thesis to via the UCL OneDrive. You no longer need to submit a printed copy unless your examiners ask for this.
Find out more on how to submit via the UCL OneDrive
We will check your status and if your examiners have been appointed we will forward the thesis directly to them. They will then be able to download the copy of your thesis to prepare for your exam.
If, following your submission, an examiner requests a hard copy of the thesis, you or your supervisor will need to arrange for this to be printed. Your supervisor or department can arrange for this to be sent directly to the examiner at their preferred postal address, or it can be handed to Student Support and Enquiries during their walk-in operational hours. If submitted to Student Support and Enquiries, the research degrees team will collect your thesis and post it on to the examiners, but please be aware that collections take place once per week and we cannot guarantee the physical copies will be posted within less than 8-10 working days
UCL’s standard submission of a thesis is electronic, in line with UCL’s sustainability strategy. If an examiner requests a physical thesis copy (this may be due to accessibility requirements of the examiner), you are responsible for making sure that your thesis is correctly printed and bound by the company you select.
If your examiners have not been appointed, your thesis will be held securely until your examiners have been formally appointed by UCL.
Covid-19 Impact Form
We have developed a form for you to submit with your thesis if you wish to declare an impact on your research. The form is optional and your choice to complete it or not will have no bearing on the outcome of your examination. It is intended to set the context of examination and is not a plea for leniency. Your examiners will continue to apply the standard criteria as set out in UCL’s Academic Manual and the joint examiners’ form. Please see the publication from the QAA on Advice on Doctoral Standards for Research Students and Supervisors for further support.
You must submit this form as a separate Word document or PDF when you submit your thesis as detailed in our guidance above. We will only accept the form if you submit it at the same time that you submit your thesis. This will apply if you are making an initial submission or a resubmission.
Find out more about Student Support and Enquiries
Your examination entry form must be received and logged by Research Degrees before you submit your thesis.
Find out more about examination entry
Re-submission
If you need to re-submit you must:
- submit a new examination entry form to the Research Degrees office at least 4 weeks prior to the expected submission of the thesis
- you must submit an electronic version of your thesis to via the UCL OneDrive. You no longer need to submit a printed copy unless your examiners ask for this.
Find out more on how to submit via the UCL OneDrive
We will check your status and confirm that your examiners are willing to review your revised thesis. We will then forward the thesis directly to them. They will be able to download the copy of your thesis for assessment.
If an external examiner requests a hard copy of the thesis you will need to arrange for this to be printed and submitted to Student Support and Enquiries during their walk-in operational hours. We will collect your thesis and post it on to the examiners.
Find out more about examination entry
Submitting as a Non-Registered Student
If you do not submit your thesis by the end of your period of Completing Research Status, your registration as a student will end at that point. Your supervisor will then need to apply for permission for you to submit your thesis in writing to the Research Degrees section, at least 3 weeks before your expected submission date. You will be charged a submission extension fee at the point you submit your thesis.
Bind your thesis
You no longer need to submit a printed copy unless your examiners specifically request this.
The thesis must be bound securely.
Both sides of the paper may be used.
Illustrations should be permanently mounted and bound in with the thesis.
Illustrative material may be submitted on a separate electronic storage device. If you wish to submit material in any other form, your supervisor must contact Research Degrees well in advance of submission of the thesis.
Any material which cannot be bound in with the text must be placed either in a pocket inside or attached to the back cover or in a rigid container similar in format to the bound thesis. If it is separate from the bound volume it must be clearly labelled with the same information as on the title page. Each copy of the thesis submitted must be accompanied by a full set of this material.
You are responsible for making sure that your thesis is correctly bound by the company you select.
Final copies
UCL no longer requires a printed copy of your final thesis and we will award your degree once you have met the academic conditions and the Library have confirmed receipt of your e-thesis, the Deposit Agreement form, and you have cleared any outstanding fees.
You will need to deposit an electronic copy of your final thesis (and a completed E-Thesis Deposit Agreement form) via UCL's Research Publications Service (RPS). Please ensure that you remove, or blank out, all personal identifiers such as signatures, addresses and telephone numbers from the e-thesis (this does not include your own name on the title page). Any photographs that you have taken should not show identifiable individuals without their permission and any you have taken of children should mask their faces.
If you do wish to deposit a hard copy you can do so by sending it directly to the Cataloguing & Metadata department of Library Services by post, or in person at the Main Library help desk. You will find more information about the process on the existing webpage for e-thesis submission.
Find out more about depositing an electronic and printed copy of your thesis
