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Higher Degree Research

Thesis Submission

Digital Thesis Submission Guidelines

Important information on thesis collection, copyright and IP issues.

For doctoral degrees, four copies of the thesis are to be submitted to the Higher Degree Research Office, accompanied by the Author’s Consent Form and the Submission of an HDR Thesis for Examination Form. Three thesis copies are required for a Masters degree examination.  Once the thesis is submitted, the research candidate is considered to be Under Examination (UX).

This form includes a certificate signed by the supervisor that:

  • the thesis conforms to the requirements of the Master Degree by Research Rules or the Doctoral Degree Rules;
  • the length of the thesis conforms to the requirements prescribed by the Executive Dean of the Faculty;
  • any instances of inadequate presentation were pointed out to the candidate for correction before the thesis was bound;
  • the candidate has completed the approved program of advanced study and research;
  • the project has received Ethics approval, if required, with a copy of the approval letter attached.

The form is countersigned by the Executive Dean of the Faculty and a copy of the approval letter from the relevant Macquarie University Ethics Committee to conduct the research is to be attached.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to complete the submission process including details of documentation and to obtain the appropriate signatures. In cases where a supervisor is unable or unwilling to sign the certificate, the matter should be referred to the Faculty Associate Dean Higher Degree Research and then, if necessary, to the University Dean Higher Degree Research for resolution . After successful examination, copies of the thesis are sent to the Library, the Executive Dean of Faculty and the supervisor. Candidates are strongly advised to produce additional copies for their own use after the final examination. A digital copy of the thesis must be accompanied by the required signed Digital Thesis Submission Form.

Once an international student Visa holder has submitted the thesis, the visa expiry date will be checked by the University. If a student's visa is found to have more than 4 weeks' validity, the Higher Degree Research Office will report the thesis submission to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). The student has responsibility for contacting DIAC regarding their change of visa status as a result of the thesis submission. If an international candidate wishes to stay in Australia to wait for the examination results, DIAC will need to be consulted. Students will need to contact DIAC directly for advice.