Thesis Submission

1. Format Your Thesis

To better tailor the format to the content of the thesis and encourage student creativity, GPS has updated its thesis formatting guidelines. Now, in addition to the traditional format, students have the option to present their thesis in innovative formats such as video, audio, or other non-textual media. These new options offer greater flexibility while adhering to specific conditions.

With the approval of their thesis supervisor and/or supervisory committee (both approvals are required for a Ph.D., while only the supervisor’s approval is needed for a Master’s), students may choose to produce a thesis partially or entirely in digital, audio, video, or other non-linear formats beyond the classic written thesis. Please refer to the GPS guidelines if you choose these options and view the requirements here.

All UofA students must follow GPS regulations regarding thesis formatting.

Chapter- and Paper-Based Theses Requirements

Digital, Artistic, Performance-based, and Mixed-format Theses Requirements

Appendix for Thesis Formatting Guidelines

Thesis Submission Checklist  [pdf]

Thesis Title Page Template

Preface Samples  [pdf]

2. Forms to be sent out before the thesis defense

For master's thesis based students: 

The Appointment of Supervisor and Supervisory Committee Form must be sent to the Graduate Studies Office at csjsup@ualberta.ca before the end of the first year of admission.

Five weeks before the defense, the supervisor sends the Notice of Examining Committee & Examination Date (Master's Final) form to the Graduate Studies Office, along with the final version of the thesis.

 

For PhD students: Please see our PhD exam timelines and Committee Requirements here .

3. forms to be sent after your thesis defense

You have successfully defended your thesis, and your examining committee has recommended that you "pass" or "pass with revisions." Now what?

To begin, submit the end-of-program documents: Thesis Approval/Program Completion, University of Alberta Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License, and the final version of your thesis to the Graduate Studies Office (csjsup@ualberta.ca) within six months of your successful defense. Then, wait for GPS to approve the formatting of your final thesis version.

If documents are not submitted within six months following the successful defense, the student is no longer considered to have passed, as per GPS regulations.

4. Publish your thesis, Apply to convocate, and Letter of completion
  • Go to Thesis Deposit using the following procedure explained here.
    GPS will review the thesis to ensure it meets the necessary criteria.
    If GPS approves the thesis, you will receive a confirmation email that your thesis has been accepted.
    Your thesis will then be published on the ERA platform and made freely available to the public as soon as possible.

Convocation : 

  • To obtain your degree, you must successfully complete at least 24 credits of coursework; many programs require significantly more coursework than this minimum.

    The convocation ceremony represents a crowning achievement of your commitment to research and continuing your education.

  • Apply for your convocation for the graduation ceremony by following this link.

Letter of completion 

If you need a Letter of Completion at the end of your program, please use the completion letter request form. Please read the instructions in the form carefully before submitting.