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Preparing a journal-style thesis

A journal-style thesis incorporates one or more chapters in a format suitable for publication (but not necessarily published) in a peer-reviewed title, with a supporting commentary. 

Examples of suitable formats include journal papers, book chapters, or any discipline-specific alternatives.

A journal-style thesis must be a coherent body of interrelated work (not a series of disconnected papers or other works) and present research of an equivalent originality, quality and volume as a monograph thesis.

Can I submit a journal-style thesis?

If your school, department or centre permits journal-style theses this will be noted within your departmental PGR handbook. The handbook should also include any additional department-specific requirements or guidance, eg with respect to publication status, the number of papers, choice of journals, and co-authorship. Unless specified by your school, department or centre there is no requirement for papers in a journal-style thesis to be published (or in progress towards publication). 

You should make the decision about whether to submit a journal-style thesis in consultation with your supervisor(s) and Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP). You can change your mind about the nature of your thesis up to the point of submission.   

Journal-style thesis checklist

If you are considering a journal-style thesis you should:

  • Check that this option is permitted within your department.
  • Read the University's Framework for journal-style theses.
  • Note any department-specific requirements (you must adhere to these) or guidance (recommended practice you are encouraged to follow), which should be set out in your departmental PGR handbook.
  • Check that your funder/sponsor permits the submission of a journal-style thesis.
    • You should also check if your funder/sponsor has an open access policy, which may influence which journals you are able to submit to.
  • Discuss your plans at the earliest opportunity (ideally before the first review of progress, with your supervisor(s) and Thesis Advisory Panel (TAP).
  • Look at examples of journal-style and monograph theses produced within your department (if available).
  • Explore any training needs (as part of your Training Needs Analysis).
  • Consider drafting an outline publication strategy to inform your thinking.
  • Ensure that any discussion about the nature of your thesis is recorded on SkillsForge.
  • Note that you are submitting a journal-style thesis on your intention to submit.