What is early submission?
In normal circumstances you are expected to submit your research thesis after the completion of your minimum period of study and before your maximum period of study. Regulation 6.2.3 sets out the minimum and maximum periods of study for each research degree.
In exceptional circumstances, and with the approval of the Research Progress and Awards Sub Panel, postgraduate researchers may be permitted to submit their thesis before completing their minimum period of study.
Each request is considered on its merits and requests are normally only considered on academic grounds. Financial difficulties, work commitments or taking up employment are normally insufficient reasons for requesting early submission.
Apply for early submission
It is important that you submit your request at least three months before the proposed date of submission.
- Part A - to be completed by the postgraduate researcher and passed to the supervisor
- Part B - to be completed by the supervisor and passed to the Head of School
- Part C - to be completed by the Head of School (or their nominee)
Postgraduate researchers and supervisors will be notified, by email, of the result of the request.
Tuition fee implications
If your request is approved, this will not result in a reduction to your minimum period of registration. You will remain in normal registration (paying tuition fees) until you submit your thesis. At that point you will transfer to thesis awaited status and your tuition fee liability will be reviewed.
If you are a sponsored PGR (in full) you should be aware that your stipend payments may stop at the end of the month in which you submit your thesis. You are advised to contact your sponsor to discuss this before submitting your request.
Research Council funded postgraduate researchers should contact the the University Graduate School.
Telephone: 0121 414 2898
Email: studentships@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Find out more
If you have any questions about early submission that have not been answered on this page or in the guidance notes (Word - 19KB), please contact the RSA team by submitting an online enquiry.