Turn on more accessible mode
Turn off more accessible mode
Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Turn off Animations
Turn on Animations
FollowFollow Focus on Content Focus on Content

Stellenbosch logo

We are loading, please wait

Please make sure Javascript is enabled

  • Stellenbosch University
  • Library AND Information Service
  • English | Afrikaans
    Stellenbosch University Home

Find

Books & other items
Articles
E-books
E-databases
E-journals
Short loans
E-reference works
E-newspapers
E-theses
SU research data
SU research output
Journals SU hosted
Digital collections
E-resources on trial
Western Cape library catalogues

Using the library

Library hours
Borrowing
Borrowing from other libraries
Bookings
Short Loans guidelines for lecturing staff
Print, copy & scan
Undergraduate guide
Postgraduate & researcher guide
Prospective postgraduate guide
Staff guide
Alumni guide
Visitor guide
CHELSA member guide
CHELiN member guide

Research

Carnegie Research Commons
Research impact
Research data management
Bibliographic reference management
Open Access
Digital collections
Digital Humanities
Generic training - SmartResearcher workshops
Special Collections
Library Research Week

Learning

Step-by-step guide
Learning Commons
Digital and Information Skills
Course Reading Lists in SUNLearn
Library training calendar
Generic training - SmartStudent workshops
Generic training - SmartResearcher workshops
Module specific training
Request a training session
Library guides
Training tutorials & videos

Libraries

Stellenbosch University Library
Medicine & Health Sciences
Engineering & Forestry
Music
Theology
USBL
Departmental libraries

Help

Ask a Librarian
Give feedback
Comply with copyright
Off-campus e-access
Training tutorials & videos
SU Library floor plan
Locate & access books
Assignment help
Thesis/dissertation submission
Wireless access
FAQs

About us

Contact us
Give feedback
Strategic plan
Statistical snapshot 2021
Library statistics dashboard
Publications
Conferences & symposia
Quality assurance
  • Admin Sign In
    • English
      • Find
        • Search and find
      • Using the library
        • Services
      • Research
        • Services
      • Learning
        • Services and spaces
      • Libraries
        • Resources
      • HelpCurrently selected
        • Guides
      • About us
        • About the library
  • Search this site
Search
  • Advanced Search | Databases A-Z list | e-Journals A-Z list
Help
Navigate Up
This page location is:
  • Home
    • English
      • Help
        • Pages
          • online-thesis-submission

Thesis/dissertation submission
 

  • Home
    • English
      • Help
        • Thesis/dissertation submission

 

 

Thesis/dissertation submissionThesis/dissertation submission<div><p> <br></p><br>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.<br><br>Please take note of the following submission closing dates for each graduation period:<br><ul><li><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">March/April 2025 graduation: <span class="ms-rteForeColor-2">closing date is 4 March 2025</span></span></li><li><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">December 2025 graduation: <span class="ms-rteForeColor-2">closing date is 27 November 2025</span></span></li></ul><div><div><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"><strong><em><br>Please note: </em></strong><em>For your final thesis (after the examination process), students must use the official <strong>SU thesis Title Page template </strong>that contains the University primary logo and branding design. </em><em>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.</em><br><br></span></div><div> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"> <strong>Preferred web browser</strong>: Mozilla Firefox<br></span></div><div> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"> <strong>Enquiries & help</strong></span><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">: t: +27 21 808 9139 / 9046  |  </span> <a href="mailto:scholar@sun.ac.za"> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"> <strong></strong></span></a> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"> <a href="mailto:scholar@sun.ac.za">Email</a></span><br class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">Physical office</strong><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">: Stellenbosch University Library, Room 1025<br><br></span></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><span class="ms-rteThemeFontFace-1"> ​​​The nomination of students and the submission of theses and​ dissertations has moved to <strong>SUNStudent Academia</strong>. The new name is <strong>Thesis Management</strong> and the nomination for students to submit a thesis or dissertation for graduation now takes place on <strong>Thesis Management</strong>.  <strong>Thesis Management</strong> sits under the tab for<strong> Examinations</strong>.<br></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"> <br></span></div><div> <span> <div><h3> <span style="color:#60223b;"> <strong style="color:#60223b;"> <span style="color:#60223b;"> <span style="color:#60223b;">​</span></span></strong></span></h3><h3> <span id="1" style="color:#60223b;"> <strong style="color:#60223b;"> <span style="color:#60223b;"> <span style="color:#60223b;">Student prepares document</span></span></strong></span></h3></div></span></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%;"> <span class="ms-rteFontFace-8"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-2 ms-rteThemeFontFace-1">​​​</span><span class="ms-rteForeColor-2 ms-rteThemeFontFace-1"><strong>It remains the student's responsibility to forward the final revised copy in PDF, to their supervisor/promoter or administrative staff.</strong></span><span class="ms-rteThemeFontFace-1">​ </span><span class="ms-rteForeColor-2 ms-rteThemeFontFace-1"><strong> This copy is used for the submission process.</strong></span><br></span></td></tr></tbody></table> <br> <div>Each master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation is required to be submitted electronically using<span><span><span style="color:#60223b;text-decoration:underline;"> <a href="https://student.sun.ac.za/"> <span style="color:#60223b;"> <span style="color:#60223b;"> <span style="color:#60223b;"> <span style="color:#60223b;"> <strong style="color:#60223b;"> <span style="color:#60223b;">SUNStudent Academia</span></strong></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></span>, once it has been examined and before graduation. </div><div><div style="display:inline;"> <span> ​<br></span></div></div><div><div style="display:inline;"> <span>Student prepares document for furnishing in electronic format. Theses and dissertations should be created according to the general rules as set out in the <span><span><a href="http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Documents/Yearbooks/Current/2025-Part-1-General-Rules.pdf"><strong>General Yearbook 2025</strong></a><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span> (<span><span><span><span><span>Page 68</span></span></span></span></span>), 5.7. Provisions as to the format, final submission.</span></span><br></span></div></div><div> <br> </div><div>All theses/dissertations published by Stellenbosch University should contain the following compulsory information:<br><br><strong>1. Compulsory information - </strong><strong><span class="ms-rteForeColor-2">Title page templates only</span></strong><br> <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%;"> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"><b>MASTER DEGREE </b></span></td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-2" colspan="4" style="width:50%;"> <span class="ms-rteForeColor-1"> </span><strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">​DOCTORAL DEGREE <br></strong></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableOddRow-2"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:20%;"> <span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">​</span><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"><span>Calibri</span></span><br class="ms-rteForeColor-1"></td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:15%;">​<a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/Thesis%20and%20dissertation%20submission/English_Thesis_Calibri.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%;">​<span><span><a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/sunscholar/Thesis_Calibri.pdf"></a></span></span><br class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0"></td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-2" colspan="2" style="width:20%;"> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">​​</span><a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/sunscholar/Dissertation_Calibri.docx"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0"></span></a><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">Calibri</span><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1"><br></span><br></td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:15%;"><span><span><a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/Thesis%20and%20dissertation%20submission/English_Dissertation_Calibri.docx"><img src="/SiteCollectionImages/general/Icons/Wordicon.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:25px;" /></a></span></span></td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:15%;">​​<br></td></tr><tr class="ms-rteTableEvenRow-2"><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:20%;"> <span class="ms-rteForeColor-1">​​</span><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">Cambria</span><br class="ms-rteForeColor-1"></td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:15%;">​<span><span><a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/Thesis%20and%20dissertation%20submission/English_Thesis_Cambria.docx"><img src="/SiteCollectionImages/general/Icons/Wordicon.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:25px;" /></a></span></span></td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:15%;">​<a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/sunscholar/Thesis_Cambria.pdf"></a><br class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0"></td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:20%;"> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-0">​</span><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">Cambria</span><br class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"><br></td><td class="ms-rteTableEvenCol-2" colspan="2" style="width:15%;">​ ​<span><span><span><span><span><span> <a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/Thesis%20and%20dissertation%20submission/English_Dissertation_Cambria.docx"><img src="/SiteCollectionImages/general/Icons/Wordicon.png" alt="" style="margin:5px;width:25px;" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></td><td class="ms-rteTableOddCol-2" colspan="1" style="width:15%;"> <span> <span> <span> <span> <a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/sunscholar/Dissertation_Cambria.pdf"> </a></span></span></span></span>​​​</td></tr></tbody></table> <br> <ul><li><strong>Declaration</strong> -  <a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/sunscholar/declaration_2025_thesis.pdf" target="_blank">Masters Degree</a>  /  <a href="/SiteCollectionDocuments/sunscholar/declaration_2025_dissertation.pdf" target="_blank">Doctoral Degree</a><br></li><li> Abstract<span><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></span><span></span>: In the language of the thesis or dissertation <span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>(max. 500 words)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br>Additional abstract (<span><span>optional): In</span></span> second language <span><span><span><span>(max. 500 words)</span></span> </span></span><br></li><li> Acknowledgements </li><li> Table of Contents<br></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.<br></li></ul><div style="display:inline;"><div> <br> <p> <strong>2. Requirements for typewriting</strong><br></p><ul><li>Font type: Cambria or Calibri (effective 2024)</li><li>Font size: 10, 11 or 12 font size<br></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<br><span style="display:inline-block;"></span></li></ul></div><div> <strong>3. Furnishing in electronic format</strong> <ul><li> <span> <span> <span> <span>To convert files to PDF format when using MS Word v.2016 and later, choose option:</span></span></span></span></li><li> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <strong>File  >>  Save as Adobe PDF</strong>  (*.pdf)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li>Save the document by using the following file naming convention:<br><strong>surname_studentnumber_2021</strong>.docx  <div style="display:inline;"><div>e.g. <span class="ms-rteForeColor-1"> <strong class="ms-rteForeColor-2">dutoit_12345678_2021</strong><strong></strong></span>.docx</div></div></li><li>The <strong>master copy</strong> of the <span> <span>thesis/dissertation</span></span> for <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <a href="https://scholar.sun.ac.za/" target="_blank">SUNScholar Research Repository</a></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>must be submitted electronically in PDF format<span>.<br><br></span></li></ul></div><div><div> <span> <span> <strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">IMPORTANT</strong><br> <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> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">Do not add your signature to the bottom of the declaration. S<span><span>imply type your nam​​e below the declaration. The reason for this is, the whole process is recorded electronically as proof that all parties adhere to the policy.</span></span></span></li><li> <span><span>Please do not add any securities to your PDF document.</span></span></li></ul></span></span></div><div> <br class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"> </div> <strong class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"></strong></div><div><div><div><p> <strong>Microsoft Office365 software</strong><br></p><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"><span><span> </span></span></a><a href="https://tech.sun.ac.za/software/" class="md-nav__link md-nav__link--active" style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>here</strong></a>. <br> <br></li></ul><div> <span><span><strong>LaTeX software</strong></span></span></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;"><strong>here</strong></a>. <span><span></span></span></li><li>Find the SU title page templates under the DOC directory.<br></li></ul></div> <span> <span> <strong></strong></span></span> <span> <span>    <br><br></span></span></div></div></div></div></div><h3> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"><strong><span style="color:#60223b;">Supervisor/promoter or administrative staff upload and submit</span><br></strong></span></h3><hr /><div> The nomination of students and submission of theses or dissertations for graduation now takes place on <strong>Thesis Management </strong>in<span><span><span><span><span><span><span style="color:#60223b;text-decoration:underline;"><a href="https://student.sun.ac.za/"><span style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;"></span></strong></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://student.sun.ac.za/" style="text-decoration-line:underline;"><span style="color:#60223b;"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;"></span></strong></span></a></span></span><a href="https://student.sun.ac.za/" style="text-decoration-line:underline;"><span style="color:#60223b;"><strong></strong></span></a> <span> <span> <strong>SUNStudent Academia</strong></span></span>. <strong>Thesis Management </strong><strong></strong>sits under the tab for <strong>Examinations.</strong></div><div> <b><br></b></div><div> <strong></strong>In <strong>Thesis Management</strong> 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. <br></div><div> <span style="text-align:center;">The user guide for </span><strong style="text-align:center;">Thesis Management </strong><span style="text-align:center;">is available<span style="color:#60223b;"><span style="text-align:center;"> in </span><a href="https://student.sun.ac.za/" style="text-align:center;"><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1" style="color:#60223b;"><strong><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;">SUNStudent</span></strong></span></a> </span>at: </span> <span style="text-align:center;color:#60223b;"> <span> <span> <span style="text-align:center;color:#60223b;"> <img src="/SiteCollectionImages/web/Icons/SUNStudent%20Learning%20Library.png" alt="" style="margin:0px;width:190px;height:35px;" /></span></span></span> <br> <span class="ms-rteForeColor-2"></span></span></div><div><div><p> <br>To summarise the process:<br></p><ol><li>The final thesis or dissertation must be submitted in PDF format. </li><li>Log onto <span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span style="color:#60223b;text-decoration:underline;"><a href="https://student.sun.ac.za/"><span style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;"><strong style="color:#60223b;"><span style="color:#60223b;">SUNStudent</span></strong></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>.</li><li>Click on <strong>Examinations</strong>, then click <strong>Thesis Management</strong>.<br></li><li>The supervisor/promoter or administrative staff nominates the candidate.<br></li><li>Please make use of <em>Remarks</em> 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 <strong></strong> <a href="https://scholar.sun.ac.za/" target="_blank" style="text-decoration-line:underline;">SUNScholar</a> following graduation.<br></li></ol><div>​<br></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.<br></div><div> <br> </div><div>Please note that if you do not have access to SUNStudent access can be provisioned by following these steps:<br> <ol><li>Please access the SUNStudent Service Desk <a href="https://servicedesk.sun.ac.za/jira/plugins/servlet/theme/portal/29"> <span class="ms-rteForeColor-1"> <strong style="color:#60223b;text-decoration:underline;"> <span style="color:#60223b;"> <span style="color:#60223b;">here</span></span></strong><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"></span></span></a><span class="ms-rteForeColor-1"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">.</span></span><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1"></strong></li><li>The tile marked 'user access management' is the section that allows users to complete their user role access request.<br></li></ol> <br> <strong>Publishing books/chapters in books and copyright</strong><br>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>.<br><br><strong>Signature on declaration page</strong><br>Please note that the signature is no longer required, and that the student can simply type their nam​​e below the declaration. The reason for this is, the whole process is recorded electronically as proof that all parties adhere to the policy.<br><br> <p>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"><strong> General</strong> <strong>Yearbook 2025</strong></a><strong> </strong>(Page 68), 5.7 Provisions as to the format, final submission.<br></p>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.<br><br><span><span><span><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">SUNS</span><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">cholar enquiries & help:  <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <a href="mailto:scholar@sun.ac.za"> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"> <strong></strong></span></a> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"> <a href="mailto:scholar@sun.ac.za">Email</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>  |  t: +27 21 808 9139 / 9046 </span> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"></span></span></span></span> <br> <br></div></div>

    • Find
    • Using the Library
    • Research
    • Learning
    • Libraries
    • Help
    • About Us
Contact Details

Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service, Helpline Numbers: +27 21 808 4883, Corp Office / Postal Address: Private Bag X5036 Stellenbosch, 7599

Stellenbosch logo

Staff Portal
© 2025, Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service, All rights reserved
  • Find
  • Using the library
  • Research
  • Learning
  • Libraries
  • Help
    • Ask a Librarian
    • Give feedback
    • Comply with copyright
    • Off-campus electronic access
    • SU Library floor plan
    • MHS Library floor plan
    • Locate and access books
    • Assignment help
    • Thesis/dissertation submissionCurrently selected
    • Wireless access
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Guides
  • About us