Theses
Commencing HDR students
As a new HDR student you are required to submit your thesis proposal within the first six months (FTE) of your enrolment.
Preparing your research proposal
The UniSA Research degrees website provides some excellent resources to support thesis writing and the preparation of your research proposal. These include:
- Research Writing including the research proposal
- Research Education Support Activities (RESA)
To see examples of existing UniSA HDR proposals, you can search either the Standard Catalogue (opens in new window) or Catalogue 2.0 the New catalogue (opens in new window). These proposals can also help you to identify current and former UniSA students with similar research interests.
Standard Catalogue search
- select Advanced Search (opens in new window) from the Standard Catalogue
- enter your research area as keyword into the first search box, e.g. health, education, marketing or environment
- select HDR eProposals from the Location list and click search
Catalogue 2.0 search
- type your research area into the search box, e.g. health, education, marketing or environment and click search
- use the Narrow Search option on the right-hand side of the page to limit your search by Location and select HDR eProposals
- note that you may need to click on more under the location option before the HDR eProposals option appears
Depositing your research proposal
Once you receive confirmation from the Graduate Studies Office that your thesis proposal has been approved, you can submit it to the Library using the form available at the link below.
- HDR eProposal deposit form (username and password required)
It will be important to look for existing theses as this enables you:
- to ensure your topic has not been, or is not being investigated by another researcher
- to gain a knowledge of other related research in your area of study
- to see what research has preceded your topic
- to see what methodologies and layouts have been used by other researchers in your field
To help you find theses you can use these resources:
- Finding theses (online workshop): how to look for theses in the Library catalogue and theses databases
- search arrow@UniSA for theses produced by University of South Australia (UniSA) HDR students
- search the Australasian Digital Theses Program (ADT) (opens in new window) for theses produced in Australian universities
- search Libraries Australia (opens in new window) for theses held by Australian libraries - searches can be limited to Theses
Continuing HDR students
The Research degrees website offers support and resources on how to approach the writing of the thesis. This includes suggestions about the process and how to compose the text.
- Thesis resources - includes instruction on research and writing
- Word for thesis writing online workshop - includes the UniSA sample thesis template
- Writing the literature review
- Thesis Toolkit - Managing copyright in your research (username and password required)
- Copyright guide for research students (opens in new window) - developed by QUT
- Writing the thesis - covers how to approach the writing of the thesis and includes suggestions about the process
Completing HDR students
Useful resources from the Research degrees website are listed below:
- Thesis presentation, submission and examination includes theses presentation guidelines that also cover theses by publication or portfolio of publications.
- The online workshop, Completing your PhD, assists students in the completion stages of a higher degree by research.
Submitting a digital copy of your thesis
The University is a member of the Australasian Digital Thesis Program (ADT) and Australian Research Repositories Online to the World (ARROW). In addition to the two print copies for the Library and in accordance with the Academic regulations for Higher Degrees by Research, section 20.2.4, HDR students are required to submit a digital copy of their thesis into ADT via arrow@UniSA using the form below.
Coursework theses
There is no University policy requirement for the Library to automatically receive printed or digital copies of coursework theses. The Library does not actively collect copies of work at this level. However, schools may deposit a copy with the Library but the following guidelines apply.