Theses and dissertations
The library holds a large number of Bristol theses and dissertations, including many PhD and doctoral theses. Read our advice about how to locate theses from other institutions, both in the UK and internationally.
University of Bristol theses and dissertations
To find a University of Bristol thesis:
- Use Library Search as if you were trying to find a book, using either the author's name, the title or a combination of the two. When your search results display, you can refine your search by using the Resource type - Thesis option;
- If the thesis is held in the Research Reserve, it can be requested using the 'reserve a copy' button.
- If the thesis is not on Library Search and it is pre-1978 it is worth checking the Card Catalogue Online.
- If the thesis is held in the Research Reserve, use the online request form to request it.
- See below for details of how to access theses held in our other library sites.
- Recently submitted theses may be listed on Explore Bristol Research though information about these is regularly added to Library Search.
Arts and Social Sciences
The collection includes theses from Arts Faculty, Social Sciences and Law Faculty, Physics, Mathematics, Biological Sciences, Geographical Sciences, Agricultural Science and the School for Policy Studies.
MA, MSc, MPhil and MLitts do not have to be deposited with the library under the Regulations, so our collections of these are incomplete.
How to consult a thesis
- Arts and Social Sciences theses are now held in the Library's Research Reserve. See 'to find a University of Bristol thesis' section above for details of how to request.
- We will notify you when the thesis arrives at the library.
- Thesis loans are for use in the Arts and Social Sciences Library only.
Chemistry
School of Chemistry PhD, MSc and DSc theses from 1910 to date.
Thesis loans are for use in the Chemistry Library only, though postgraduates with seats may keep a thesis at their desk. You may ask if a particular thesis can be kept behind the Issue desk if you will be using it repeatedly for a period of time. Other theses are kept in a Library Staff room and are not available during the evenings.
Education
School of Education EdD, PhD, MPhil, and a selection of Masters theses. Many theses written before 2005 are located in the Research Reserve.
How to consult a thesis
- The MSc and Masters theses are located in the Quiet Study Area;
- The MPhil, PhD and EdDs are located in Research Reserve. See 'to find a University of Bristol thesis' section above for details of how to request.
Medical
The thesis collection from the Medical Library has been relocated to the library's Research Reserve. The collection includes: PhD, MD, MSc, ChM and DSc theses of staff and postgraduate students of the Health Sciences Faculty, from 1910 to date.
A card catalogue in the Medical Library contains details of the earlier theses, or you may check the Card Catalogue Online.
How to consult a thesis
- See 'to find a University of Bristol thesis' section above for details of how to request.
- We will notify you when the thesis arrives at the library;
- Theses are for use in the Medical Library only and you will be asked to sign a register.
Physics
School of Physics PhD, MSc and DSc theses from 1950 to date, with a few earlier ones. BSc and MSci projects are also held.
A card catalogue in the Physics Library contains details of the earlier ones.
How to consult a thesis
- Ask at the Issue Desk to borrow a thesis, quoting author, year and category;
- Theses may be borrowed by staff and postgraduates as standard loans;
- Undergraduates may use theses in the library only;
- BSc and MSci projects may be borrowed by undergraduates: for the standard loan period.
Queens (Engineering, Mathematics, Computer science)
Engineering and Mathematics PhD theses are held in the Research Reserve, including Computer Science theses before the Department transferred to the Faculty of Engineering. See 'to find a University of Bristol thesis' section above for details of how to request these.
A card catalogue, on the right beyond the Issue desk, contains details of pre-1978 theses.
How to consult a thesis
- It can take 2-3 working days for a thesis to arrive and you will be notified when they are available;
- PhD theses may not be borrowed by undergraduates; taught postgraduates or external members but may be consulted in the library.
MSc Projects
- Some early Engineering MSc projects (1914-1950) are available from the Research Reserve - please contact your Subject Librarian
Undergraduate projects
- Individual and group projects from 2015/16 - 2019/20 academic years for Civil and Mechanical Engineering are available on the open shelves in the Gallery.
- Early projects from 1920 to 1949 have been moved to Special Collections in the Arts and Social Sciences Library
Veterinary Sciences
MSc Meat Science theses from 1979 to date and a small number of PhD theses. The majority of veterinary sciences PhD theses are housed in the Research Reserve. See 'to find a University of Bristol thesis' section above for details of how to request.
Theses are shelved in the Computer Room and are for use in the library only.
Wills Memorial (Law, Earth Sciences)
Collections of both Law and Earth Sciences theses.
Theses are confined to the library; please ask at the information desk if you wish to borrow one.
UK and international theses
Information about many UK and international theses can be found via Library Search. If the thesis you are interested in is not available online, you can use our inter-Library Loan service. Non-UK theses can be difficult to obtain: in some countries, universities are working together to make full text electronic collections available:
- Electronic Theses Online Service (EThOS) - a service provided by the British Library
- DART - Europe e-theses Portal
- Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD)
- PQDT Open - open access dissertations and theses
- PQDT Global - a collection of dissertations and theses from around the world
Submit a thesis
Advice on how to submit a thesis for a higher degree can be found on the Presenting and submitting your dissertation for examination page. Information on how to submit a thesis to the library can be found on the Library's own Thesis Guidance pages.