Maynooth University Examinations and Assessment Office

Doctorate/Research Masters Thesis Submission 

                                                         Submission Deadlines - Academic Year 2024/25

                                                              28th February 2025 / 31st October 2025

These are the latest dates for submission of Doctorate/Research Masters theses for the Academic Year 2024/2025 without incurring further registration and fees for the next semester.

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1. Intention to Submit:

• Students must complete the thesis submission forms prior to the thesis submission deadline. These forms should be signed by the Student, Principal Supervisor and Head of Department (Submission forms are available below under the relevant research tab).​ ​

• Students should email the completed forms to the Records Office ([email protected]) for approval. The Records Office will then forward the forms to the Fees Office for confirmation that fees are in order. When clearance has been received from both offices, the Fees Office will send the completed forms to the Examinations and Assessment Office and copy the student on same.

• Please note: If the Examinations and Assessment Office does not receive fully signed off forms prior to the submission deadline the thesis will not be processed. Please ensure that the completed forms are emailed to the Records Office a minimum of two weeks prior to the deadline to ensure sufficient time for processing. 

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2. E-thesis Submission For Examination:

• When you have received clearance to submit, you should email an electronic copy of your thesis in one pdf file to the Examinations and Assessment Office ([email protected]). The thesis should be password protected and the password should follow in a separate email. 

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3. Final Hardbound Submission:

• Following examination and approval of corrections (if applicable), the Examinations and Assessment Office will contact students directly with instructions for submitting hardbound copies of the thesis to our office.

• Doctorate Students are required to submit 1 hardbound copy of the final corrected thesis with an electronic copy in one pdf file on CD/USB for the library (Do not password protect the electronic copy on CD/USB) . 
• Research Masters Students are required to submit 1 hardbound copy of the final corrected thesis with an electronic copy in one pdf file on CD/USB for the library (Do not password protect the electronic copy on CD/USB) .  

You can find guidance on formatting and the presentation of your final thesis below:

• Doctoral Thesis Layout Recommendations
• Research Masters Thesis Layout Recommendations

Once the hardbound theses have been received, the Examiners Reports will be sent to Faculty for formal approval. Following Faculty approval the award is then ratified by Academic Council and the Conferring Office is notified. 

Thesis Submission Forms:

To be completed by student at least two weeks prior to the thesis submission deadline:

• Submission Forms For Doctoral Thesis
• Thesis Withhold Request Form

Please note: Only complete the Thesis Withhold Request Form if you wish to withhold your thesis from the library. If you do not wish to restrict access to your thesis, you do not need to complete this form.

Appointment of Examiners Form:

To be completed by Supervisor/Head of Department and submitted to Academic Council Office for faculty approval.  

• Appointment of Examiners for Doctoral Thesis
• Appointment of Examiners for Joint PhD
• Appointment of External Supervisors

Please note: if the thesis is subject to an NDA, your supervisor should complete the separate NDA Specific Appointment of Examiners Form below. A copy of this form as well as the NDA template below must be submitted to the relevant faculty meeting. 

• ​ Appointment of Examiners for Doctoral Thesis (Please complete if NDA required)
• Doctoral Thesis - No-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) Template

Thesis Submission Forms:

To be completed by student at least two weeks prior to the thesis submission deadline:

• Submission Forms For Research Masters Thesis
• Thesis Withhold Request Form

Please note: Only complete the Thesis Withhold Request Form if you wish to withhold your thesis from the library. If you do not wish to restrict access to your thesis, you do not need to complete this form.

Appointment of Examiners Form:

To be completed by Supervisor/Head of Department and submitted to Academic Council Office for faculty approval.  

• Appointment of Examiners for Research Masters Thesis

Please note: if the thesis is subject to an NDA, your supervisor should complete the separate NDA Specific Appointment of Examiners Form below. A copy of this form as well as the NDA template below must be submitted to the relevant faculty meeting. 

• Appointment of Examiners for Research Masters Thesis (Please complete if NDA required)
• Research Masters - Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) Template

• MA Taught Masters Layout Recommendations

Students should contact the revelant academic department directly for Taught Masters Submission Deadlines. 

• PhD by Publication 
• Maynooth University Regulations for Postgraduate Research Degrees
• PhD by Prior Published Works
• Process for proposing joint or collaborative doctoral degree programmes with other universities
• Final Semester Fee Information
• Maynooth University Thesis Depositor Policy

• MU Code of Practice for Viva Voce Examinations 

Criteria for appointment of External Examiners for Research Thesis   ​