Preparing for submission
Work backwards from your confirmed registration end date and aim to submit by the standard end. Your offer, approved changes and University record determine your actual timetable.
Planning checkpoints
| Timing anchor | Action |
|---|---|
| Well ahead | Agree a writing/feedback schedule, check formatting and resolve ethics/copyright issues |
| At least six months before expected examination | Framework recommends beginning examiner identification |
| At least three months before expected thesis submission | DoS must arrange RD12: Examination team and approval; allow School scrutiny and Board lead time |
| Last/penultimate standard-registration RD6 | Apply for RD19 if needed: Grace period, with applicable cohort rules |
| At least three months before maximum end | Regulation D5.5 notice for RD10: Extending maximum registration; resolve conflicting framework wording early |
| From one month before standard end | Ordinary submission window begins; earlier needs permission |
| At least eight weeks before viva | Thesis and RD12 approval must both be in place; calculate from the later date and exclude holiday periods |
§7.3 calls for team approval at least three months before submission, while D6.3 describes applying by that point. Plan sufficiently early for approval, rather than treating the application date as a guarantee.
Your pre-submission check
- Confirm end date and any required permission.
- Agree enough time for feedback and your response to it.
- Check Thesis word count, Thesis format and required contents and Title page and declaration.
- Discuss embargo or additional-material arrangements where relevant.
- Use the School’s Turnitin thesis link; upload is encouraged before final submission.
- Prepare thesis PDF, additional materials and RD15.
- Confirm delivery details with the Operations Team and retain evidence of submission (practical suggestion).
The final decision to submit rests with you, though supervisor advice is valuable. Approval to submit early and supervisor confidence do not predict the examination outcome.
Sources: Framework §§4.1, 6.4, 7.3, 7.9, pp. 37–39, 65–66, 75–76, 79; D5.5/D6.3. Submission guidance.
Writing and submitting your thesis · Submitting for examination