Your thesis must be submitted by midnight on the final day of the calendar month in which it is due, even if that date falls on a weekend or public holiday.
If you have any questions about the process, contact the team by email or drop in to Level 1 Matariki to talk with us. Make sure you come along to the Getting over the Finish Line workshop to hear more about the submission process!
Step One
Read the Thesis Examination Procedures.
Step Two
Make sure:
- you and your supervisor have completed the forms detailed below.
- you are fully enrolled with all fees paid (your thesis cannot be sent for examination otherwise)
Step Three
Submit a PDF to graduateschool@canterbury.ac.nz.
What happens after submission?
Once you submit your thesis you will have completed your enrolment at the University of Canterbury. In the lead-up to this it is a good idea to consider the following in your plans:
- You will lose access to physical spaces at the university, so do talk with your supervisor and department administrator around if you need to organise visitor access to desk or laboratory spaces. Note you retain digital access for up to 270 days post submission
- You will no longer have access to UC Student Services including the Health Centre so do check you have support for any ongoing medical conditions.
Apply to graduate
We encourage students to apply to graduate (via myUC) upon submission of their thesis. Qualifications are conferred 'in absentia' on a monthly basis. If students choose this option, they will receive your certificate in the post and their transcript via 'myEquals'. You can also choose to attend a Graduation Celebration (these take place in autumn and spring). If your examination process is not yet complete by the cutoff date for your selected graduation celebration, our Graduation team will contact you to move you to the next available graduation celebration.
Find out more about Graduations at UC here.
Thesis examination
Once you submit your thesis and all the required documents, your thesis will be sent for examination. The entire examination period (steps 1 to 4 below) usually takes between three and five months. Amendments can take between two and six months. Please note these timeframes are indicative only and may vary depending on individual circumstances.
Step One
Te Kura Tāura check all required documents and make sure enrolment is complete before thesis is sent to examiners.
Step Two
Examiners are given 8 weeks to review a thesis and make a recommendation to Dean of Postgraduate Research.
Step Three
Dean of Postgraduate Research decides whether student proceeds to oral exam.
Step Four
Oral examination is arranged and reports are sent to student and supervisor 5 to 10 days prior to exam.
Step Five
Oral examiner makes a recommendation to Dean of Postgraduate Research regarding outcome of oral examination.
Amendments are often required before final thesis is approved.
Step Six
Degree is conferred.
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