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• Last Updated: Aug 20, 2024 6:16 PM
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Masters Theses

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For theses submitted prior to 2007, open access was not mandatory, so only those theses for which the author has given consent are available in Tuwhera Open Theses & Dissertations. Where consent for open access has not been provided, the thesis is usually recorded in the AUT Library catalogue where the full text, if available, may be accessed with an AUT password. Other people should request an Interlibrary Loan through their library.

Recent Submissions

• Item Denim Deconstructed; Deconstructing the Notion of Denim Through Avant-Garde Methods ( Auckland University of Technology, 2024 ) Jeon, Milan Show more This research investigates and responds to the wastefulness of denim through an experimental approach of deconstructing and reconstructing used denim garments. Denim is one of the most popular fabrics globally, accounting for one of the largest segments of the fashion industry. This style of woven cotton was first created for workwear in the late 19th century by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss and soon became the source of one of the most prevalent garments in the history of fashion–– denim jeans. Today denim is used in various subsectors of the fashion industry, from fast to high fashion, and has become a fabric that has a significant influence on the way people dress around the globe. However, with their versatility and popularity, denim jeans come at a high cost to the environment; on average requiring 3,781 litres of water for one pair of standard jeans, which is equivalent to filling approximately 54 bathtubs. This environmental impact is intensified by the throwaway culture of fast fashion, including denim jeans. This thesis responds to the wastefulness of the denim industry by investigating methods for recycling denim cloth, through approaches of deconstruction and reconstruction. Deconstruction as intertextuality, trace and différance as constructed by Derrida, alongside the practical analysis of deconstructive strategies in fashion design analysed by Maria Skivko as the conflict of form, function and ideology act as guiding principles for this research. In the process of physically deconstructing and reconstructing second-hand denim garments, draping was used as a method to explore new possibilities in how pre-constructed garments are positioned on the human body. By draping deconstructed jeans on the upper part of the body, for example, I was able to challenge the original function of each garment. This allowed me to test new forms, sculptural effects, and ideologies regarding deconstruction and reconstruction as methods. These findings contribute to the storytelling aspect of the fashion collection, which aims to prompt the audience to reflect on their understanding of denim and its detrimental impact on the environment. It seeks to encourage a deeper emotional connection to the viewer’s own personal relationship with denim by helping them understand its timeless beauty as a fabric. Through this, the research hopes to extend the user’s relationship with their denim garment, and the designer’s relationship with denim as a durable and versatile textile, thereby preventing more denim from ending up in landfills. Show more
• Item What Song Will You(I) Listen to Today? Breaking the Silence: Transforming Visitor Experience Through Media Art in Public Spaces ( Auckland University of Technology, 2024 ) Leong, Pui Yee Show more What song will you(I) listen to today? is practice-led research project seeks insights into how media arts that involve sound and interactive elements augment art viewing experiences in a public space. Public art spaces often attempt to enhance social atmospheres and have undergone transformations to adapt to different mediums for the presentation of the arts. The perception of viewing art in a silent space is changing and yet silence still dominates most art spaces in Aotearoa and beyond. As art forms expand to become more interactive, sound and visual elements have the potential to be activated to create social experiences. This research aims to open up exhibition spaces so sound can break through to create a different, more sonorous landscape. I have surveyed several examples of sound art within public spaces in Tāmaki Makaurau and propose that sound art can extend into a full experience of an interactive art work. I create interactive spaces through the use of sound, video and sensors for people to listen and interactively respond more intimately to their environment. Show more
• Item CrackGNet: A Hybrid Approach Leveraging U-Net and Graph Neural Networks for Road Crack Detection ( Auckland University of Technology, 2024 ) Paras, Paras Show more Pavement cracks are a common issue affecting road infrastructure worldwide. Their timely detection and repair are essential for ensuring road safety and preventing further deterioration. Traditional manual crack inspection methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and susceptible to human mistakes. To overcome these challenges, this thesis introduces CrackGNet, a hybrid deep-learning architecture for the automated detection of road cracks. Our proposed method strategically integrates a U-Net encoder-decoder with a GCN. The U-Net component focuses on robust feature extraction from crack images, while the GCN component explicitly models the spatial relationships and connectivity patterns inherent in crack structures. We performed a comprehensive evaluation of CrackGNet on the CFD, DeepCrack, and CRACK500 datasets, demonstrating its superiority over established deep learning baselines across a range of performance metrics achieving 0.8618 precision, 0.8811 recall, and an F1 score of 0.8665, outperforming existing methods. These results highlight the effectiveness of our hybrid approach and the importance of considering both local image features and spatial context in crack detection tasks. Our research contributes to the advancement of automated road infrastructure assessment systems, with the potential to improve infrastructure maintenance efficiency and reduce costs. Future research directions include exploring alternative GNN architectures for further performance gains, expanding datasets for increased model robustness, and evaluating CrackGNet in real-world inspection scenarios. Show more
• Item Assessing Shoulder Strength and Range of Motion in Normal and Symptomatic Swimmers ( Auckland University of Technology, 2024 ) Botha, Kayla Show more Swimming is a recreational and competitive sport that can be identified by its repetitive and coordinated movements between various parts of the body. Unlike other sports where the lower body initiates and contributes to the propulsive forces, this is the primary role of the upper body. Although the cause of shoulder pain in swimmers is believed to be multifactorial, some modifiable factors such as muscle strength imbalance, altered muscle endurance and coordination, and deficits in the shoulder joint mobility, can predispose swimmers to shoulder pain or injury. Chapter 2 of this thesis includes a literature review on shoulder strength and range of motion in swimmers with and without pain. The literature review highlighted the limited research using isokinetic dynamometry to assess shoulder concentric and eccentric strength in swimmers who experience pain. Also, most of the studies analyzed these strength measures using absolute strength values and the conventional concentric and eccentric (ER:IR) ratios. Literature examining shoulder strength in other overhead sports has found that using a functional ratio of eccentric versus concentric (eccER:conIR) to be more appropriate. This literature review also showed that shoulder ROM of swimmers has primarily been assessed in supine or standing. On the basis of the findings of this literature review, this thesis sought to examine the differences in shoulder rotational strength in swimmers who have pain or not using the Humac Norm isokinetic dynamometer. For additional analysis on the differences between the painful and non-painful side, the researcher aimed to use the functional ratio (eccER:conIR) which has previously been studied twice in this population. Additionally, this thesis intended to measure the shoulder internal and external rotation ROM of swimmers using an inclinometer in prone. This position was selected as it is specific to swimming. Three out of the four strokes are performed in prone. Since the cross-sectional study included in this thesis is the first to use the Humac Norm isokinetic dynamometer and the inclinometer in prone to assess the shoulder of swimmers, in particularly those with shoulder pain, this thesis also aimed to determine the inter- and intra-session reliability of these objective measures. The reliability study (chapter 3) found moderate to excellent inter-session reliability (ICC: 0.68-0.98; CV: 4.80-19.70; SEM: 1.71-5.36) and excellent intra-session reliability (ICC: 0.98-1.00; CV: 1.50-19.80; SEM: 0.00-1.84) for the use of an inclinometer in prone for swimmers with and without shoulder pain. Moderate to excellent inter-session reliability was found for the use of the Humac Norm isokinetic dynamometer to assess a swimmer’s shoulder strength (ICC: 0.60-1.00; CV: 6.80-60.50; SEM: 0.00-7.20). The Humac Norm isokinetic dynamometer showed excellent intra-session reliability (ICC: 0.99-1.00; CV: 2.20-8.20; SEM: 0.00-1.31). Although the Humac Norm isokinetic dynamometer showed moderate to excellent intersession relative reliability, the high CV and SEM values indicated less adequate absolute reliability. Whereas the intra-session absolute reliability, during the second session, was more adequate. This shows the importance of having at least one familiarization session, particularly for the eccentric testing protocol. Eccentric movement is unique and not performed on a daily basis hence the importance for participants to practice this movement to ensure testing proficiency. Future research using the Humac Norm isokinetic dynamometer to assess swimmers’ shoulders should include at least one familiarization session. Chapter 4 included a cross-sectional study design to investigate strength hand ROM in swimmers with and without pain. The strength data indicated no significant side to side difference in shoulder external or internal rotation strength in asymptomatic swimmers; however, the external rotators were significantly stronger when working eccentrically than concentrically (R: p= 0.01, ES= -1.76; L: p=0.01, ES= -2.17). There was also no significant difference in functional eccER:conIR ratio between the left and right side (p=0.66). On the contrary, swimmers with shoulder pain were significantly weaker on their symptomatic side during concentric internal rotation (p=0.05, ES=-0.96). Additionally, swimmers who have painful shoulders had a significantly greater functional ratio on the symptomatic side (p=0.04). Lastly, there was no significant difference in internal and external rotation ROM regardless of pain being present or not. Further research is required to validate the findings of our study as it is the second study to use the functional ratio to evaluate the differences in shoulder strength in swimmers with shoulder pain. Also, it is the first study to assess shoulder ROM using an inclinometer in prone. On the basis of the findings in this thesis, practical implications include that health professionals or strength coaches working with swimmers should measure shoulder ROM in prone as they may get a more practical and reliable assessment of the shoulder’s mobility. Lasty, health professionals involved in the management of shoulder injuries in swimmers should consider using the functional ratio (eccER:conIR) to evaluate the muscle balance around the shoulder joint as it is more appropriate and sport-specific, especially considering how the internal and external rotators interact during the propulsive phase in swimming. Show more
• Item An Evaluation of Diabetes-Related Foot Ulcer Screening Implementation Initiatives and the Application of Guideline-Recommended Prevention Recommendations by New Zealand Podiatrists ( Auckland University of Technology, 2024 ) Jepson, Hannah Show more Introduction The rise of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes is one of the New Zealand (NZ) health system’s greatest challenges. In NZ, diabetes rates are forecasted to grow 70-90% by 2040, with an associated cost of care increase of 63% to NZD$3.5 billion. Arguably, the most serious complication of diabetes is the development of diabetes-related foot ulcers. Much of the foot ulcer research has been on ulcer healing; however, there have been increasing calls for more focus on prevention. There are suggestions that up to 75% of foot ulcers can be prevented by applying guideline-recommended care. However, the extent to which these guideline recommendations are implemented into clinical practice in relation to the prevention of diabetes-related foot ulcers remains unknown. Aim This thesis intends to determine how guideline recommendations relating to the prevention of diabetes-related foot ulcers are implemented within clinical practice. This was undertaken through two aims. Firstly, to review studies that have evaluated interventions designed to increase guideline-recommended foot screening rates within health systems and to determine whether these interventions have resulted in a change in foot screenings. Secondly, to assess the alignment of assessment and management used in the prevention of diabetes-related foot disease by NZ podiatrists to the international prevention guideline recommendations. Methods This thesis involved two central studies. Firstly, a scoping review was undertaken to review existing literature, evaluating the implementation of guideline recommendations relating to foot screening to prevent diabetes-related foot ulcers. This review primarily aimed to determine whether these implementation interventions resulted in changes in foot screening rates in clinical practice. Secondly, a survey of NZ podiatrists was undertaken to assess the level of self-reported adherence in clinical practice to international guideline recommendations relating to the prevention of diabetes-related foot ulcers and what barriers and enablers they considered existed to implement those recommendations in clinical practice. Results The scoping review screened 2900 studies, of which forty-nine studies were included in the review. The primary population targeted were doctors (n=23, 47%), health centres (n=12, 24%), allied health professionals (n=7, 14%), patients (n=4, 8%) and nurses (n=3, 6%). Most studies (82%) used between one and three intervention modalities, with clinician education and training used most frequently, followed by provision of clinical resources, feedback reports and infrastructure. In total, 83% (n=41) of the studies identified an improvement in foot screening rates, with 10% (n=5) identifying no change and 2% (n=1) identifying a decrease in foot screening rates. The survey of NZ podiatrists had seventy-seven responses (16.3% of the NZ podiatry workforce) which were received, of which 52 completed >50% of items and were included. Of those 52 podiatrists, 73% were from the private sector. Public sector podiatrists reported higher weekly caseloads of patients with diabetes (p=0.03) and foot ulcers (p<0.001). The NZ Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) risk stratification pathway and IWGDF guidelines were the two most frequently utilised guidance documents. Participants reported median scores of at least “often” (<2) for all items in the assessment and management, inspection, screening, and education provision domains for people with a high-risk foot. More than 50% of respondents reported screening more frequently than guideline recommendations for people with a very low to moderate risk foot. A structured education program was only used by 4 (5%) participants. Public sector podiatrists reported greater provision of custom-made footwear (p=0.04) and multi-disciplinary team care (p=0.03). Conclusions The scoping review identified that doctors continue to remain the population most often targeted for foot screening initiatives and that a range of interventions can result in an improvement of foot screening rates if their selection is guided by the needs of the population. The survey identified that NZ podiatrists generally follow international guidelines for the prevention of diabetes-related foot ulceration; however, there may be an over-screening of people with very low to medium risk in clinical practice. Podiatrists are less adherent to more complex recommendations, such as structured education and integrated care, which may require resourcing. Future directions include an increasing emphasis on the personalisation of preventative care strategies with the development of a conceptual framework, the need for investigation into the state of play and application of integrative care systems to support the care of the person with diabetes, and the potential need for locally adapted guidelines to support the provision of diabetic foot care within NZ. Show more
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Theses and dissertations

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• Te Waharoa Browse the Library's Te Waharoa system for theses and dissertations. Use keywords and "thesis" for the best results, for example "Media studies thesis".
• NZ Research This link opens in a new window The most comprehensive collection of New Zealand research papers and related resources. Includes research from universities, polytechnics, and research organisations.
• Open Access Institutional Repository An open access collection of the latest research outputs authored by Victoria University of Wellington /Te Herenga Waka researchers. Search by keyword or author and refine your results to 'Theses'.
• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global This link opens in a new window Master's thesis and doctoral dissertations, mainly from the US and UK. Coverage from 1743 onwards. Most theses available in full text.
• Deposit your thesis Congratulations on completing your thesis! Theses which have been accepted for the award of a Ph.D. or Master’s degree are held as part of the Library’s collection. If you are about to graduate, you must supply a electronic copy through the thesis self-deposit form.
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Masters Theses

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Find theses and research reports , Rapu ēnei me ngā pūrongo rangahau

Learn how to find theses and research reports written at Massey University, other universities in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas.

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Finding a thesis, massey university theses, theses from other new zealand universities and wānanga, overseas theses, massey research reports, contact a subject or māori services librarian.

Recent theses are often openly available online. If the thesis you want is not available online, we may be able to borrow it on your behalf through interlibrary loan.

You'll need to fill in an interlibrary loan request. Some theses can only be read at a Massey University campus library.

If a thesis is particularly expensive to get, we may ask you to contribute towards the cost.

The Library holds a print or digital copy of every master's and doctoral thesis completed at Massey University

You can find most theses at Massey Research Online, an archive of the university’s research that anyone can read and download.

Look for theses at Massey Research Online

Search for theses in Discover

You can also search Discover for Massey theses. Either:

• add the words Massey thesis as keywords in the Search box, or
• search for keywords as usual, and on the Results page, limit your results by Source: Dissertations/Thesis.

Go to Discover to look for theses

Find exceptional theses

Search the Dean’s list of exceptional theses for Massey theses that show outstanding research, analytical content, communication and presentation.

See the Dean’s list of exceptional theses

Search for Māori theses

Use these saved Discover searches to see Māori theses:

• Māori master's theses
• Māori doctoral theses
• Theses in te reo Māori

Get Pacific theses

Pacific theses are in Massey Research Online, in the Pacific policy and research centre community.

Find Pacific theses in the Pacific Research and Policy Centre community

Visit NZ Research to find theses and other resources produced at New Zealand universities, polytechnics and research institutions (excluding wānanga).

Find theses at NZ Research

You can also search for theses in the New Zealand libraries’ catalogue, Te Puna. Just add thesis as a keyword.

Go to Te Puna to look for theses

If you’re looking for a specific thesis, search in the library of the university it was written at. Many masters and doctoral theses are open access – this means they’re available for anyone to read online.

Find theses produced by wānanga

To find theses produced by wānanga, search each catalogue individually. Not all theses may be online. Contact the wānanga to ask about access.

Te Wānanga o Raukawa

Te Wānanga o Raukawa library catalogue

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa library catalogue

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi library catalogue

There are many online databases where you can find theses to read online or download. The one that’s most useful for you will depend on:

• the subject you want to find theses on
• whether you’re looking for theses from a particular institution or place.

Global databases

Search these sites for theses from all over the world.

• Networked digital library of theses and dissertations
• Open access theses and dissertations (OATD)
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• Google Scholar

Trove contains almost a million theses, including some New Zealand ones. Search for keywords, then refine your results to 'thesis' .

Visit Trove to find theses from Australia

Learn more about how to search on Trove

South Pacific

Search the University of the South Pacific (USP) library catalogue to find digitised theses on the Pacific islands and peoples by Pacific and non-Pacific researchers.

See a list of theses from the USP library catalogue

The University of Hawai'i's Center for Pacific Islands Studies publishes its masters theses online.

Read masters theses at Pacific Islands Studies student research

Use DART-Europe to find theses written at European universities. All the theses on DART are full-text, so you can read them online or download them.

Go to DART-Europe to find theses from European universities

Get theses from Canadian universities at Theses Canada. You can:

• read most theses written after 1998 online
• get citation and abstract information for theses written between 1965 and 1998.

Visit Theses Canada to find Canadian theses

Research reports are short pieces of original research into a topic, usually written by postgraduate students. The Library has some (but not all) research reports written by Massey University students. You can find these:

• at Massey Research Online
• in Discover, by adding 'Massey research report' to the keywords you search for.

Go to Massey Research Online to search for research reports

Go to Discover to search for research reports

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Writing & Submitting a Thesis: Getting Started

• Getting Started
• Thesis Preparation
• Thesis Copyright
• Thesis Presentation
• Thesis Submission

Introduction

This guide has been prepared by the University of Waikato Library in association with the School of Graduate Research and provides details about each stage of writing and submitting your thesis.

The following is a selection of links to more information about theses and postgraduate study. Your faculty will also have graduate handbooks with further information specific to your academic discipline.

• University Calendar: Dissertations and Theses  [UPDATE LINK]
• Requirements for PhD with Publication  [UPDATE LINK]
• Higher Research Degrees Examination Process  [UPDATE LINK]
• Masters Theses and Dissertations  [UPDATE LINK]

What is a thesis?

A thesis is a written document resulting from supervised research at the university, typically required for first master's degrees and higher degrees such as Master of Philosophy and Doctoral Degrees. It presents new findings within the context of previous research, referencing relevant studies.

Assessment Process

Master's and MPhil theses have one internal and one external examiner, while higher degrees require two examiners, one local and one international. Upon successful examination, a digital copy is archived in the university's research repository, Research Commons.

Finding Examples

Consult with your supervisor for discipline-specific conventions. You can also access previous students’ theses in Research Commons – the home of theses and research at the University of Waikato.

Master theses

• All Masters theses
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• Masters thesis with creative component

Higher Degree theses

• All Higher Degree theses
• PhD thesis with publication
• PhD thesis with creative component
• PhD thesis in te reo Māori  

All theses (Higher Degree & Masters) in te reo Māori

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Submitting your master's thesis

Find out everything you need to know about submitting your master's thesis.

• Familiarise yourself with the Thesis Examination Procedures
• Before submitting your thesis, discuss with your supervisors and the UC Library to determine if you may need to request an embargo or additional security requirements for your thesis examination. It is possible to embargo a thesis for up to 24 months following completion of the examination process, and/or request additional security measures during the examination. For more information on the availability of theses for consultation and copying, and the related policy, see  restrictions on the use of your thesis (Library webpage).  You can find the form to request an embargo or a secure thesis examination process  here .
• Submit a PDF of your thesis by email to Te Kura Tāura ( graduateschool@canterbury.ac.nz ). If you would like help on how to format your thesis take a look at the library's webpage on the  Format of a Thesis
• Your thesis submission must be accompanied by a completed  Thesis Submission and Use Form  and may also need an optional Embargo and Secure Thesis Examination Request form - discuss this with your supervisors prior to submission.
• You must submit your thesis through Turnitin, which checks for similarity. This can be accessed via AKO | LEARN. 
• Please note: If you're away from Christchurch (either elsewhere in NZ or overseas) on approved extramural study at the time of thesis submission you do not have to return to UC to submit your thesis.
• When you submit your thesis for examination, we ask your supervisors to nominate examiners to the Dean of Postgraduate Research who formally appoints these examiners. The underlying principle is to ensure independent experts examine your thesis in a fair and transparent manner. 
• The student and supervisors will discuss who the examiners might be and then will complete and submit the  Appointment of Examiners form to the Graduate School.
• Once your thesis has been examined and you are eligible to graduate, we deposit a copy of your thesis in the University Library and it is available for public access. If an embargo is in place, the thesis will be deposited to the Library but will not be made publicly available. 
• For master's examinations, we aim to receive the written reports approximately eight weeks after the thesis is sent to examiners. It can take a further 1-2 weeks to finalise your grade and complete administrative checks before you will be eligible to gradaute, and Te Kura Tāura will send you an email confirming your examination process is completed once this is done.
• You can find an information sheet here about the process once your Master's thesis is submitted.

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Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))

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• Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)), Dunedin, 2024
• Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)), Dunedin, 2025

The Master of Arts (MA(Thesis)) prepares candidates for employment in education, regional and national government agencies, the private sector, and industry. The MA(Thesis) enables candidates to engage in a significant piece of independent research, providing specialist knowledge in their topic area and transferable analytical, research and writing skills. The degree is also an entry qualification for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

The MA(Thesis) normally requires at least one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time, study and entails completion of a thesis. The normal admission requirement is a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) degree in one of at least 24 subjects, but admission on the basis of alternative qualifications and experience is possible. Some thesis candidates may be required to pass approved postgraduate papers before embarking on the thesis research, but will be advised of that before enrolment.

The thesis is a major piece of supervised research of up to 40,000 words.

The primary aim of the MA(Thesis) is to develop in a candidate skills needed to identify a significant topic, design and implement an extended piece of research, and present the findings in a form acceptable to an expert readership.

• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Childhood and Youth Studies
• Communication Studies
• Computer Science
• Film and Media Studies
• Gender Studies
• Indigenous Studies
• Information Science
• Linguistics
• Māori Studies
• Mathematics
• Peace and Conflict Studies
• Religious Studies
• Theatre Studies

Requirements

No new enrolments will be accepted for this programme for 2024.

Applications for the MA (Thesis) in Peace and Conflict Studies are currently paused. Information on study options will be updated in late August, 2023.

Regulations for the Degree of Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))

Admission to the programme.

• Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
• be a graduate with an average grade of at least B+ for the appropriate 300-level papers, or
• have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
• have undertaken a programme of study that provides adequate preparation for the thesis, and
• have achieved a grade of at least a B+ for the research report, thesis preparation, dissertation requirement, or relevant preparatory papers of the qualification concerned.
• In considering an applicant's qualifications, regard will be had to the detail of the course of study followed to gain the qualification, as well as the applicant's performance in the programme. Applicants must normally have achieved an average grade of at least B+ in the papers at the highest level in the programme.

Structure of the Programme

• The degree can be undertaken as a 240-point programme of study comprising papers and a thesis for students with a bachelor's degree or as a 120-point thesis-only programme for students with appropriate postgraduate level study (see Section 1(c)).
• The degree may be awarded in any of the subjects listed in the MA(Thesis) Schedule. With the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) the degree may be awarded in a subject not listed in the MA(Thesis) Schedule.
• The student's course of study shall be approved by the Dean, Head of School, Programme or Department. In the case of the 240-point programme, the Dean, Head of School, Programme or Department will confirm that the combination of papers will provide adequate preparation for the thesis component.
• A candidate shall, before commencing the investigation to be described in the thesis, secure the approval of the Dean, Head of the School, or Head of Programme or Department concerned for the topic, the supervisory team, and the proposed course of the investigation.
• A candidate may not present a thesis which has previously been accepted for another degree.
• A candidate taking the degree by papers and thesis must pass both the papers and the thesis components.
• For a thesis, the research should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.

Duration of the Programme

A candidate achieving the degree by papers and a thesis shall normally follow a programme for the equivalent of not less than two years of full-time study and not more than three years of full-time study, and a candidate achieving the degree by thesis alone shall normally follow a programme of study for the equivalent of not less than one year of full-time study and not more than two years of full-time study. Exceptions shall be permitted only with the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).

Withdrawal from the Programme

• A candidate undertaking both papers and thesis whose paper results are not satisfactory, as defined by the department or subject area concerned, or who does not achieve a grade of at least B+ for the dissertation requirement of the programme, shall be permitted to proceed to the thesis only with the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
• Where a thesis candidate withdraws from the programme after completing the prescribed papers the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may recommend the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects or determine which papers shall be credited towards the diploma.

Examination of the Thesis

• The Dean or Head of Department concerned (or nominee) shall appoint a Convener of Examiners who shall oversee the thesis examination.
• The thesis, research dissertation, or studio project shall be assessed by at least two examiners, at least one of whom shall be external to the University.
• The candidate's supervisor shall not be an examiner but may make a report on the work of the candidate to the Convener of Examiners.
• Each examiner shall supply a written report on the thesis and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the thesis as submitted, and an overall result selected from the options as specified in clause (d) below.
• be accepted without requiring amendments;
• be accepted subject to minor corrections being made at the discretion, and to the satisfaction, of the Convener of Examiners;
• does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, but may be revised and resubmitted for examination;
• does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, and should be rejected without right of resubmission.
• Amendments (regulation 5(e)(ii)) and revisions (regulation 5(e)(iii)) shall be completed by a specified date to be determined by the Convener of Examiners.
• A candidate shall be permitted to revise and resubmit a thesis for examination once only.
• If a revised and resubmitted thesis is finally accepted, the result shall be either 'Pass' or 'Fail' (i.e. ungraded) and without eligibility for the award of the degree with distinction or credit.
• Where examiners cannot agree on a result, the Convener of Examiners, Dean, Head of School or Head of Programme concerned should so report to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) or nominee who shall arrive at a decision after consulting a referee who should normally be external to the University.

Level of Award of the Degree

The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.

Note: The due date for applications for first enrolment in the programme is 10 December. Late applications will be considered.

This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.

Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.

Student Learning

Writing a thesis or research paper.

Writing a thesis can be an intimidating feat! Breaking it up into sections can help you work your way through the process.

The video below has valuable advice on writing a thesis efficiently and breaking it down into parts. The advice can be applied to Master’s or PhD theses.

(In general, we would suggest giving yourself more than two weeks!)

Parts of a thesis

Below is the basic structure of a thesis*. Click on each part of the thesis for more information on writing that section.

• Introduction
• Research Question/Thesis
• Literature Review
• Methodology
• Results/Findings

* Different theses can have different structures. If you feel your research does not suit this structure, talk to your supervisor about how you might want to have a different kind of structure.

Formatting your thesis

Learn how to format a long document in Word and LaTex.

• pdf 252.9KB Report writing—general
• pdf 309.6KB Report writing—science

Find Theses and Dissertations

Thesis, dissertation and exegesis.

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What is the difference?

At AUT, a thesis is associated with either a Doctoral or a Master's degree. It is a substantial piece of original research. A dissertation is associated with either a Master's or a Bachelor's degree with Honours and may be a smaller piece of research or a critical analysis and evaluation of the literature related to a topic.

What is an exegesis?

This is the written component of a practice-based thesis where the major output is a creative work. The exegesis constitutes at least 20% of the thesis. 

ETD is a frequently used abbreviation for electronic thesis or dissertation and refers to a thesis/dissertation available online.

Note:  universities in some other parts of the world such as North America, a dissertation is usually associated with a doctoral degree and a thesis with a master's degree. This is important to know when searching for theses/dissertations from other countries.

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• Last Updated: Jul 6, 2023 3:44 PM
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Theses and dissertations

Guide to the presentation and submission of research components in sub-doctoral qualifications.

Guide to the Presentation and Submission of Research Components in Sub-Doctoral Qualifications . Size: 579.8 kB. Type: PDF .

Document Description: A general guide to the presentation and submission of research components.

Download this PDF file. Size: 579.8 kB .

Examination of Sub-Doctoral Postgraduate Research Components of 30 Points and Above Procedures

Information about the procedures for the appointment of examination roles and the examination of sub-doctoral postgraduate research components of 30 points and above.

Related links

• Doctoral policies and guidelines