Thesis/dissertation submission

<div> SUNScholar will remain open throughout the year for nomination of graduates and the submission of theses or dissertations for the March/April and December graduation ceremonies. Please take note of the following submission closing dates for each graduation period: <ul><li>March/April 2025 graduation: closing date is 4 March 2025</li><li>December 2025 graduation: closing date is 27 November 2025</li></ul><div><div> Please note: For your final thesis (after the examination process), students must use the official SU thesis Title Page template that contains the University primary logo and branding design. The University’s primary logo features on the title page of the final thesis to establish the institution’s conferral of the degree and may not be placed on any other page of the thesis. </div><div> Preferred web browser: Mozilla Firefox </div><div> Enquiries & help: t: +27 21 808 9139 / 9046 | <a href="mailto:scholar@sun.ac.za"> </a> <a href="mailto:scholar@sun.ac.za">Email</a> Physical office: Stellenbosch University Library, Room 1025 </div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><table cellspacing="0" class="ms-rteTable-9" style="text-align:left;width:100%;height:67px;"><tbody><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-9"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-9" style="width:100%;"><div> The nomination of students and the submission of theses and dissertations has moved to SUNStudent Academia. The new name is Thesis Management and the nomination for students to submit a thesis or dissertation for graduation now takes place on Thesis Management. Thesis Management sits under the tab for Examinations. </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div> </div><div> <div><h3> </h3><h3> Student prepares document</h3></div></div></div> <hr /><table cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-9"><tbody><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-9"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-9" style="width:100%;"> It remains the student's responsibility to forward the final revised copy in PDF, to their supervisor/promoter or administrative staff. This copy is used for the submission process. </td></tr></tbody></table> <div>Each master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation is required to be submitted electronically using <a href="https://student.sun.ac.za/"> SUNStudent Academia</a>, once it has been examined and before graduation. </div><div><div style="display:inline;"> </div></div><div><div style="display:inline;"> Student prepares document for furnishing in electronic format. Theses and dissertations should be created according to the general rules as set out in the <a href="http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Documents/Yearbooks/Current/2025-Part-1-General-Rules.pdf">General Yearbook 2025</a> (Page 68), 5.7. Provisions as to the format, final submission. </div></div><div> </div><div>All theses/dissertations published by Stellenbosch University should contain the following compulsory information: 1. Compulsory information - Title page templates only <table class="ms-rteTable-2" cellspacing="0" style="height:97px;width:100%;"><tbody><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-2"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-2" colspan="3" style="width:50%;"> MASTER DEGREE</td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-2" colspan="4" style="width:50%;"> DOCTORAL DEGREE </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-2"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:20%;"> Calibri </td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:15%;"><a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/sunscholar/title_page_word_m_calibri_2025.docx"><img src="/SiteCollectionImages/general/Icons/Wordicon.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:25px;height:29px;" /></a></td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:15%;"><a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/sunscholar/Thesis_Calibri.pdf"></a> </td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-2" colspan="2" style="width:20%;"> <a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/sunscholar/Dissertation_Calibri.docx"></a>Calibri </td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:15%;"><a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/sunscholar/title_page_word_d_calibri_2025.docx"><img src="/SiteCollectionImages/general/Icons/Wordicon.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:25px;" /></a></td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:15%;"> </td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-2"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:20%;"> Cambria </td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:15%;"><a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/sunscholar/title_page_word_m_cambria_2025.docx"><img src="/SiteCollectionImages/general/Icons/Wordicon.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:25px;" /></a></td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:15%;"><a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/sunscholar/Thesis_Cambria.pdf"></a> </td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:20%;"> Cambria </td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-2" colspan="2" style="width:15%;"> <a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/sunscholar/title_page_word_d_cambria_2025.docx"><img src="/SiteCollectionImages/general/Icons/Wordicon.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:25px;" /></a></td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:15%;"> <a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/sunscholar/Dissertation_Cambria.pdf"> </a></td></tr></tbody></table> <ul><li>Declaration - <a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/howdoi/declaration_2017_thesis.pdf"> Masters Degree </a> / <a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/howdoi/declaration_2017_dissertation.pdf">Doctoral Degree</a> </li><li> Abstract: In the language of the thesis or dissertation (max. 500 words) Additional abstract (optional): In second language (max. 500 words) </li><li> Acknowledgements </li><li> Table of Contents </li><li> List of Figures </li><li> List of Tables</li><li> Content (e.g. Chapter 1, Chapter 2, etc.)</li><li> Reference List (See <a href="https://libguides.sun.ac.za/c.php?g=742962&p=5316064" target="_blank">Referencing techniques</a>)</li><li> Addenda (e.g. Addendum A, Addendum B, etc. </li></ul><div style="display:inline;"><div> 2. Requirements for typewriting <ul><li>Font type: Cambria or Calibri (effective 2024)</li><li>Font size: 10, 11 or 12 font size </li><li>Line spacing: Double, Single or 1.5</li><li>Borders: Blank border of not less than 2 cm in width around the whole of the typewritten portion.</li><li>Paper size: A4 </li></ul></div><div> 3. Furnishing in electronic format <ul><li> To convert files to PDF format when using MS Word v.2016 and later, choose option:</li><li> File >> Save as Adobe PDF (*.pdf)</li><li>Save the document by using the following file naming convention: surname_studentnumber_2021.docx <div style="display:inline;"><div>e.g. dutoit_12345678_2021.docx</div></div></li><li>The master copy of the thesis/dissertation for <a href="https://scholar.sun.ac.za/" target="_blank">SUNScholar Research Repository</a> must be submitted electronically in PDF format. </li></ul></div><div><div> IMPORTANT <ul><li>It at all times remains the student's responsibility to verify the contents of the converted PDF document in order to ensure that no structure or content of the original source document was lost or manipulated during the conversion process.</li><li> Do not add your signature to the bottom of the declaration. Simply type your name below the declaration. The reason for this is, the whole process is recorded electronically as proof that all parties adhere to the policy.</li><li> Please do not add any securities to your PDF document.</li></ul></div><div> </div> </div><div><div><div> Microsoft Office365 software <ul><li>As a Stellenbosch University registered student you are elligable to receive the Microsoft Office365 software for free. </li><li>Download Office 365<a href="https://narga.pages.cs.sun.ac.za/welcoming-2021/software/" class="md-nav__link md-nav__link--active"> </a><a href="https://tech.sun.ac.za/software/" class="md-nav__link md-nav__link--active" style="text-decoration:underline;">here</a>. </li></ul><div> LaTeX software</div><div><ul><li>The LaTex packages can be downloaded or installed directly via TexLive or MikTeX <a href="https://ctan.org/pkg/stellenbosch-2" style="text-decoration:underline;">here</a>. </li><li>Find the SU title page templates under the DOC directory. </li></ul></div> </div></div></div></div></div><h3> Supervisor/promoter or administrative staff upload and submit </h3><hr /><div> The nomination of students and submission of theses or dissertations for graduation now takes place on Thesis Management in<a href="https://student.sun.ac.za/"></a><a href="https://student.sun.ac.za/" style="text-decoration-line:underline;"></a><a href="https://student.sun.ac.za/" style="text-decoration-line:underline;"></a> SUNStudent Academia. Thesis Management sits under the tab for Examinations.</div><div> </div><div> In Thesis Management only the final thesis or dissertation needs to be uploaded in PDF format. This is the copy following examination, and after all corrections have been made. </div><div> The user guide for Thesis Management is available in <a href="https://student.sun.ac.za/" style="text-align:center;">SUNStudent</a> at: <img src="/SiteCollectionImages/web/Icons/SUNStudent%20Learning%20Library.png" alt="" style="margin:0px;width:190px;height:35px;" /> </div><div><div> To summarise the process: <ol><li>The final thesis or dissertation must be submitted in PDF format. </li><li>Log onto <a href="https://student.sun.ac.za/">SUNStudent</a>.</li><li>Click on Examinations, then click Thesis Management. </li><li>The supervisor/promoter or administrative staff nominates the candidate. </li><li>Please make use of Remarks to indicate the month and year of graduation.</li><li>The thesis/dissertation is uploaded by the supervisor/promoter or administrative staff.</li><li>The supervisor/promoter or administrative staff approves the submission.</li><li>The thesis/dissertation will be publicly accessible on <a href="https://scholar.sun.ac.za/" target="_blank" style="text-decoration-line:underline;">SUNScholar</a> following graduation. </li></ol><div> </div>Due to the sensitive nature of security and ongoing enhancements to Thesis Management the upload/submission of the final thesis or dissertation, must be done by the supervisor/promoter/administrative staff. </div><div> </div><div>Please note that if you do not have access to SUNStudent access can be provisioned by following these steps: <ol><li>Please access the SUNStudent Service Desk <a href="https://servicedesk.sun.ac.za/jira/plugins/servlet/theme/portal/29"> here</a>.</li><li>The tile marked 'user access management' is the section that allows users to complete their user role access request. </li></ol> Publishing books/chapters in books and copyright All inquiries related to copyright and the publication of books/chapters in books as a result of a thesis/dissertation can be directed to <a href="https://innovus.co.za/">InnovUS</a>. Signature on declaration page Please note that the signature is no longer required, and that the student can simply type their name below the declaration. The reason for this is, the whole process is recorded electronically as proof that all parties adhere to the policy. The general rules of Stellenbosch University on submitting a copy with SUNScholar is available in the <a href="http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Documents/Yearbooks/Current/2025-Part-1-General-Rules.pdf"> General Yearbook 2025</a> (Page 68), 5.7 Provisions as to the format, final submission. Once approved and processed by the library, the thesis/dissertation will be available online via <a href="https://scholar.sun.ac.za/" target="_blank">SUNScholar Research Repository</a> for others to access, provided that no restrictions apply. SUNScholar enquiries & help: <a href="mailto:scholar@sun.ac.za"> </a> <a href="mailto:scholar@sun.ac.za">Email</a> | t: +27 21 808 9139 / 9046 </div></div>

We are loading, please wait

Please make sure Javascript is enabled

Find

Using the library

Research

Learning

Libraries

Help

About us

We are loading, please wait

Please make sure Javascript is enabled

Thesis/dissertation submission // <![CDATA[ _spBodyOnLoadFunctionNames.push("setupPageDescriptionCallout"); // ]]>

Thesis/dissertation submission