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.

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

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.