Dissertation & Thesis Preparation

IMPORTANT: We are not able to do pre-reviews at this time due to the number of theses being submitted for the April 19th deadline for completing submissions in order to graduate in May. Please wait until you submit your final thesis to cIRcle, and it will be reviewed then. Exception: Doctoral dissertations going out to external examiners will be reviewed, but please allow a minimum of five business days for a response.
Do not contact the Library or the cIRcle office about a pre-review. They do not provide them.

If you’re beginning to prepare for the completion of your graduate work, congratulations!

The term "thesis" in this section of the website is used collectively to refer to the culminating representation of the scholarly work produced by a research-based master’s or doctoral student. However, when referring to your work, please use "dissertation" if you are a doctoral student, and "thesis" if you are a master's student.

All UBC theses become publicly available online from the UBC Library and Library and Archives Canada shortly after submission. Exceptions to this policy on a temporary basis may be requested (See Delaying Publication of Your Thesis).

WHERE TO START?

Your supervisor will guide you on the best way to present your research in your thesis. This website provides information on elements common to all theses, but the final expression is up to you and your committee.

LANGUAGES

Thesis text is normally written in English. Indigenous languages, French, and other languages that form the basis of the scholarly work are welcomed, as appropriate. If you wish to write primarily in a language other than English, you will need to obtain the advance approval of your graduate program and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

In all cases of theses written primarily in languages other than English, the following are required:

  • an English translation of the title on the thesis title page and in cIRcle.
  • an abstract in English or French.

For doctoral students, the final oral exam is conducted primarily in English.