Step-by-Step Guide to Submitting Your Thesis or Dissertation

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Reminders Before You Begin

  • Submission Guide
  • Frequently Asked Questions: Thesis Submission
  • The Library reviews each submission in the order of the latest submission timestamp. No expedited review service is available. Each review typically takes two business days, but during peak times (such as the two weeks before a semester starts), the volume may increase. Please plan ahead to avoid delays in your graduation process.

Before You Enter the Submission System

Make sure

  • Your PDF file follows the formatting guidelines in the "Regulations Governing the Formats of Graduate Thesis/Dissertation at National Tsing Hua University." Incorrect formatting will result in rejection and require resubmission and re-approval by your advisor and the library.
  • Your PDF does not contain watermarks or security settings. (The system will automatically apply these.)
  • You have discussed the open access date and any embargo application with your advisor. (This is addressed in Step 3 or Step 4 below.)

Submission Steps (After Logging In)

  1. Confirm Degree Information
    • The system will import your basic data from the "On-line Application System of the Graduate Degree Oral Defense." Please check for accuracy.
    • For data modifications:
      • Graduate students' Chinese and English names and college/department information are obtained from the database of the Division of Registration, Office of Academic Affairs. If any modifications are needed, please contact the Division. For those who need to add their English name, please bring your passport to the Division of Registration for processing.
      • Thesis/dissertation information, advisors, and oral examination committee members are imported from the Online Application System of the Graduate Degree Oral Defense. Once the information has been submitted for departmental review in the system, it can no longer be modified by the student. For any changes, please contact your departmental office. After the update, log back into the Dissertations and Theses Repository System, and the system will automatically retrieve the updated information.
  2. Enter Bibliographic Information and Upload Full-Text
    • Copy bibliographic information directly from your thesis to ensure accuracy. Once the review process is completed, any changes require a thesis errata application.
    • After uploading the PDF, preview it to confirm that the watermark and security settings were applied successfully.
    • If watermarking fails, it may be due to incompatible software. Use official PDF tools or visit the Main Library to convert your file using a public workstation.
    • Please ensure that the uploaded full-text file is the final version revised after the oral defense. It must include the Advisor Approval Form and the Final Thesis/Dissertation Review Form. For the required order of contents, please refer to the “Guidelines For Submitting A Thesis, Dissertation.” However, the Authorized Agreement for Thesis/Dissertation should be included only in the printed version of the thesis, placed after the title page. It is not required in the PDF file uploaded at this step.
  3. Select Open Access Option and Submit Embargo Request (if applicable)
    • All theses must be authorized for open access. Discuss this with your advisor before uploading.
    • You may choose:
      • Immediate open access after approval
      • Open access six months after approval
      • Apply for delayed open access (embargo)
    • According to Article 14 of the "National Tsing Hua University Doctoral/Master's Degree Examination Regulations": "Degree theses shall be publicly accessible in principle to facilitate academic exchange and knowledge sharing. However, theses involving confidential information, patent matters, or those legally restricted from disclosure may apply for delayed open access upon submission of supporting documentation and approval by both the faculty advisor and department chair."
    • For considerations related to ongoing research or patent applications, please submit supporting documentation in PDF format, which must include: (1) justification for the embargo request, and (2) potential implications of immediate open access. The documentation must not exceed one page, contain a minimum of 100 words, and bear the signatures of both the thesis author and faculty advisor.
    • System-approved embargoes are generally limited to five years. In cases involving confidentiality agreements, the open access date must follow the expiration of such agreements. Should an extension be required upon expiration of the embargo period, the thesis author must submit a "Application for Thesis/Dissertation Modification" prior to the expiration date, subject to review and approval by authorized university personnel.
  4. Advisor Review
    • Advisor Review Guide
    • Your advisor will review:
      • Whether the thesis meets formatting and committee requirements
      • The selected open access option and any embargo documentation
    • Notification will be sent via email. If not approved, the system will return to Step 1 for resubmission.
  5. Library Review
    • The Library will check:
      • Formatting compliance
      • Watermark and security settings
      • Completeness of embargo application and supporting documents
    • Review order is based on submission timestamp. No urgent processing is available.
    • Each review takes about 2 business days. Results are emailed.
  6. Print and Submit Hard Copies
    • Upon approval, you will receive a notification email.
    • Download the approved:
      • Full-text PDF
      • Authorization form (incorporating both the University and National Center Library authorization)
      • Embargo application form (if applicable)
      • Supporting documents (if applicable)

Printed Thesis Submission Guidelines

  • Use the "Checklist Before Submitting Printed Thesis" and follow the official formatting guidelines. Bind the "Authorization Form" directly after the title page.
  • If you have applied for an embargo, download and print the application form and supporting documents from the NTHU Dissertations and Theses Repository. Submit them to your department chair for review. The chair only needs to sign/stamp the application form. After obtaining the chair's sign/stamp, please make one photocopy of both the signed form along with the supporting documents.
  • Insert the original and copy of the embargo application and documents (not bound) into both printed copies of your thesis. Submit them to the Library. One copy will be archived at NTHU and one at the National Central Library.
  • Submission Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00–12:00 and 13:00–17:00
    Location: Main Library, Counters 4 and 5