School of Graduate Studies / Thesis
Thesis Deadlines and Timelines
The normal thesis journey and the time limits that apply to students, supervisors, examiners and SGS.
14Timelines at a Glance
The tables below show the normal progression for a two-year master’s programme and the service standards SGS works to. Exact submission dates for each graduation ceremony are published every year in the University’s academic calendar.
Typical thesis journey
| Milestone | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Supervisor appointed | By end of Semester 2 |
| Proposal approved | Early Semester 3 |
| Ethics clearance and data collection | Semester 3 |
| Full draft to supervisor | Mid Semester 4 |
| Notice of Intention to Submit (or SGS to notify students on submission deadline) | At least 1 month before submission (notice). Within a month after SGS notice. |
| Submission for examination | End of Semester 4 |
| Examiners’ reports | Within 6 weeks of submission |
| Oral defence | Within 4 weeks of receiving reports |
| Corrections and final submission | 30 days to 3 months after the defence |
Key time limits
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum period of study | Normally 4 years from first registration |
| Supervisor feedback on drafts | Within 3 weeks |
| Notice of Intention to Submit | At least 1 month before submission |
| Examiners’ reports | Within 6 weeks |
| Notice of defence date | At least 10 days |
| List of corrections after defence | Within 5 working days |
| Minor / major corrections | 30 days / 3 months |
| Resubmission after Category C | Within 6 months (once only) |
| Maximum embargo | 2 years |
| Appeals | Within 30 days of the written decision |
Graduation submission dates
To graduate at a given ceremony, your final submission must reach SGS by the deadline published in the academic calendar. Allow about three months between submission for examination and the defence, plus time for corrections.
| Graduation ceremony | Last date to submit for examination | Last date for final submission |
|---|---|---|
| to be anounced by the University | TBD | TBD |
School of Graduate Studies / Thesis
Thesis Deadlines and Timelines
The normal thesis journey and the time limits that apply to students, supervisors, examiners and SGS.
14Timelines at a Glance
The tables below show the normal progression for a two-year master’s programme and the service standards SGS works to. Exact submission dates for each graduation ceremony are published every year in the University’s academic calendar.
Typical thesis journey
| Milestone | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Supervisor appointed | By end of Semester 2 |
| Proposal approved | Early Semester 3 |
| Ethics clearance and data collection | Semester 3 |
| Full draft to supervisor | Mid Semester 4 |
| Notice of Intention to Submit (or SGS to notify students on submission deadline) | At least 1 month before submission (notice). Within a month after SGS notice. |
| Submission for examination | End of Semester 4 |
| Examiners’ reports | Within 6 weeks of submission |
| Oral defence | Within 4 weeks of receiving reports |
| Corrections and final submission | 30 days to 3 months after the defence |
Key time limits
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum period of study | Normally 4 years from first registration |
| Supervisor feedback on drafts | Within 3 weeks |
| Notice of Intention to Submit | At least 1 month before submission |
| Examiners’ reports | Within 6 weeks |
| Notice of defence date | At least 10 days |
| List of corrections after defence | Within 5 working days |
| Minor / major corrections | 30 days / 3 months |
| Resubmission after Category C | Within 6 months (once only) |
| Maximum embargo | 2 years |
| Appeals | Within 30 days of the written decision |
Graduation submission dates
To graduate at a given ceremony, your final submission must reach SGS by the deadline published in the academic calendar. Allow about three months between submission for examination and the defence, plus time for corrections.
| Graduation ceremony | Last date to submit for examination | Last date for final submission |
|---|---|---|
| to be anounced by the University | TBD | TBD |