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Research programmes are designed to allow for all research to be completed and written up within the students' programme length. Students whose programme of study is less than 4 years, (8 years in the case of part-time students), and have completed their research, may be eligible for a thesis pending period. 

In all cases the thesis must be submitted within 4 years (full-time) or 8 years (part-time) of the start of study or within 12 months (full time) or 24 months (part time) of the end of the programme, whichever is less. This may vary depending on the terms and conditions in your individual studentship. More information on the regulations can be found in the quality manual. 

Students who are eligible and enter their thesis pending period, will be entitled to full access to supervision and university resources to support you in completing the thesis as soon as possible.

In accordance with the student contract you are required to register during thesis pending. The re-registration fee will automatically be added to your account, please see the tuition fees webpages.

Re-registration invitations will be issue at the beginning of the new academic year, please follow instructions to register with the university as a returning student.

Once you have uploaded your first submission thesis for examination, you are no longer permitted to register.

What you need to know

Supervision in thesis pending 

During the thesis pending period and any period of corrections or thesis re-submission, supervisors and PGR's must continue to meet regularly through to the point the student has completed their course. For part-time candidates, this should involve a minimum of 6 recorded supervisions a year and for full time candidates, this should involve a minimum of 12 monthly recorded supervisions a year, submitted via the NottinghamHub system. Supervisors will read and comment on at least one draft of the candidate's thesis prior to submission.

The aim of these meetings should be to support the PGR student to reach the point of final thesis submission in a timely way and minimise any extensions. 

You can find more information on supervision processes and regulations on the academic progression and attendance webpage.

 
Word count 

The word limit for your thesis depends upon the qualification you are working towards: 

  • PhD theses should not exceed 100,000 words 
  • MPhil theses should not exceed 60,000 words 

Please note, the word limits for MRes theses vary according to the number of taught module credits taken. Please see our quality manual regulations for MRes and supplementary regulations.

For PhD and MPhil, the word limits are inclusive of appendices, footnotes, tables, and bibliography. For Mres, bibliography is not included in word count. 

In any case, the university may withhold a thesis that exceeds word limits from examination.

 
 
Proof readers 

A proof-reader may only ensure that the meaning of the author is not misrepresented due to the quality and standard of the English used. This can include correcting spelling and basic grammar errors.

Inaccuracies in academic content should not be corrected nor should the structure of the piece of work be changed; doing so may result in a charge of plagiarism.

 
Standard thesis format 

You should submit your thesis for examination (first submission, corrections or re-submission) in pdf format to this form here. Your thesis should be presented on A4 size, normally with a size 12 font.

There should be a margin of 2 inch on the left side of the page, both for typescript and diagrams, to allow for binding (if required). Other margins should be of at least 1.5 inch. 

You can download an example UoN thesis template for the cover sheet.

The structure of thesis chapters may vary, students can view copies of published thesis via this webpage, for ideas on the chapter structure of the main body of text and are encouraged to discuss the most appropriate format for their research with supervisors.

 
 
Extension to thesis pending 

In exceptional circumstances an extension to the thesis pending period (or submission deadline) may be granted. All applications should be agreed with your supervisors and submitted with evidence to Student Services for consideration before of your final submission date. Should a student not have an extension in place prior to their final submission date, they will be counted as out of time as per the maximum period from initial registration for completion of studies. 

You can access the extension to thesis pending period form and also find the regulations by visiting the quality manual.  Normally, only circumstances affecting your thesis pending period can be considered. Requests based on circumstance which occurred prior to your thesis pending period will be refused.

Normally, a maximum of 6 months (12 months for part time researchers) extension will be granted for a first request. Second or subsequent requests which will exceed 12 months (24 months for part time researchers) will require approval by the university’s Quality and Standards Committee.

The fee for an agreed extension to the thesis pending period can be found in the fee schedule.

Extension to thesis pending period form

The Thesis pending period (including policy on extension)

 
Notification of submission 

You are required to submit a thesis for examination before the conclusion of the thesis-pending period. You must give formal notice of at least 3 months to your school of your intention to submit.

The school should ensure that Student Services office is informed so that the procedure for appointing examiners can be initiated. Any delay in submitting your notification of submission form can lead to a delay in your examination taking place. Visit the complete your examination (viva voce) and outcomes webpage for more information on the examination process. 

Your supervisor’s approval of the notification of submission of thesis form acts as confirmation that:

  • the thesis is the result of work done mainly while you have been registered as a researcher of The University of Nottingham
  • you have been given appropriate plagiarism guidance
  • you have been advised on thesis embargo and/or restriction
  • if appropriate to your discipline, you are aware of the requirement to submit all data collected during the period of study as a researcher of this university, to your school prior to arrangement of the viva voce examination.

Please visit NottinghamHub and navigate to the postgraduate forms tile to submit your form.

If you require further guidance on how to complete your notification of submission form please visit our SharePoint here:

Notification of submission

Upon receipt of your completed form, Student Services will ask your school to nominate examiners. When approved, we will email you with the names of your examiners, asking you to declare any possible conflict of interest.

 
 
Alternative formats

Alternative formats for submission may apply. For certain doctorates (music, creative writing, drama and performance practice as research, translation studies) an appendix detailing submission requirement is available.

For more information, please visit the university quality manual alternative formats of thesis submission for further guidance.

You are also allowed to submit by published works, please consult your supervisor and refer to the submission for research degree by published work document.

Alternative formats of thesis submission

 
 

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