Each master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation should be created according to the general rules of Stellenbosch University as set out in the in the General Yearbook 2025 for final submission.
From 2027 onwards, Stellenbosch University will host one extended graduation series annually in March/April instead of the current two annual graduation periods.
The University’s last December graduation will be held at the end of 2025. Read more here.
SUNScholar will remain open throughout the year for nomination of graduates and the submission of theses or dissertations for the March/April graduation ceremonies.
Please take note of the submission closing dates for graduation period:
December 2025 submission closing date: 27 November 2025
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Step 1: Student prepares document
Declaration
- Abstract: In the language of the thesis or dissertation (max. 500 words)
Additional abstract (optional): In second language (max. 500 words) - Acknowledgements
- Table of Contents
- List of Figures
- List of Tables
- Content (e.g. Chapter 1, Chapter 2, etc.)
- Reference List (See Referencing techniques)
- Addenda (e.g. Addendum A, Addendum B, etc.
No signature needed
Please do not add your signature to the bottom of the declaration.
- simply type your name below the declaration.
- the reason for this is, the whole process is recorded electronically as proof that all parties adhere to the policy.
Requirements for typewriting
- Font type: Cambria or Calibri (effective 2024)
- Font size: 10, 11 or 12 font size
- Line spacing: Double, Single or 1.5
- Borders: Blank border of not less than 2 cm in width around the whole of the typewritten portion.
- Paper size: A4
Office 365 software
Stellenbosch University registered student are eligible to receive the Microsoft Office365 software for free. Download Office 365 here.
LaTeX software
- The LaTex packages can be downloaded or installed directly via TexLive or MikTeX here.
- Find the SU title page templates under the DOC directory.
Furnishing in electronic format
- To convert files to PDF format when using MS Word v.2016 and later, choose option:
- File >> Save as Adobe PDF (*.pdf)
- Save the document by using the following file naming convention: surname_studentnumber_2021.docx
- For example: dutoit_12345678_2021.docx
- Please do not add any securities to your PDF document.
- The master PDF format copy must be send to your Supervisor for submission into the SUNScholar Research Repository.
| su-thesis-calibri-2026 | su-dissertation-calibri-2026 |
| su-thesis-cambria-2026 | su-dissertation-cambria-2026 |
IMPORTANT
- It at all times remains the student's responsibility to verify the contents of the converted PDF document in order to ensure that no structure or content of the original source document was lost or manipulated during the conversion process.
- All inquiries related to copyright and the publication of books/chapters in books as a result of a thesis/dissertation can be directed to InnovUS.
Step 2: Supervisor nominate and submit
The nomination of students and submission of theses or dissertations for graduation now takes place on Thesis Management in SUNStudent Academia.
Due to the sensitive nature of security and ongoing enhancements to Thesis Management the upload/submission of the final thesis or dissertation, must be done by the supervisor/promoter/administrative staff.
Thesis Management sits under the tab for Examinations. In Thesis Management only the final thesis or dissertation needs to be uploaded in PDF format. This is the master copy following examination, and after all corrections have been made. The user guide for Thesis Management is available in SUNStudent at: "?SUNStudent Learning Library"
The submission process is as follows:
- The final thesis or dissertation must be submitted in PDF format.
- Log onto SUNStudent.
- Click on Examinations, then click Thesis Management.
- The supervisor/promoter or administrative staff nominates the candidate.
- Please make use of Remarks to indicate the month and year of graduation.
- The thesis/dissertation is uploaded by the supervisor/promoter or administrative staff.
- The supervisor/promoter or administrative staff approves the submission.
- The thesis/dissertation will be publicly accessible on SUNScholar following graduation.
Cannot access SUNStudent?
- Report your access issue to the SUNStudent Service Desk here.
- Choose the 'user access management' title section to complete your user role access request.
Step 3: Submission and processing procedures completed
Once the approved and processed procedures by the SUNScholar office had been completed, will it be available online via SUNScholar Research Repository for others to access, provided that no restrictions apply.