Evidence from the US suggests that the online publication of a thesis rarely precludes subsequent use of the material in other forms. However, in some cases it may still be necessary to restrict access to your finished thesis for a time, or even permanently. This might be because it is necessary to protect:

• Commercially confidential information
• Individuals involved in your research
• Your ability to publish material based on your research - for example, through journal articles, books, monographs, etc.

In all cases you must provide the LRA team with an electronic copy when you make your printed thesis submission.  This eThesis will be stored offline until any your moratorium/embargo expires.

You should consult with your supervisor, co-supervisor, any commercial sponsors, and any others involved in your research and confirm whether or not access to your finished thesis needs to be restricted before you reach the point of submission. Then consider this against the benefits to your career and to the university of making your thesis available on the LRA.

If after this process is complete you still have concerns you have the option to ask for a moratorium or an embargo. Alternatively you may only have difficulty with a portion of your thesis being made available online, perhaps because of rights concerns.  In this case you can submit an edited version, with sections removed so as to still benefit from the ethesis benefits.

Once the period of moratorium or embargo has expired the thesis will go live on the LRA and be made available to British Library.  Further guidance is available from the Graduate School or contact us.

Moratorium (temporary postponement)

This is a delay of up to three years placed on your eThesis' availability online. 

• You can request a moratorium when you submit your thesis to the Graduate School. You don't currently have to give a reason.
• Consultation of the print copies within the DWL will be allowed and it will be listed on the library catalogue.
• During this time it will NOT be uploaded to EThOS, placed on the LRA or made available for inter-library loan

Embargo (permanent/semi-permanent restriction)

This is a permanent or longer term restriction to access of your electronic AND printed thesis.

• You must make a formal submission to the Graduate School requesting an embrgo at least three months before final submission.  This must be supported by your supervisor and clearly state your reasons.
• The Graduate School and University Senate will then consider the submission and make a formal response.
• Currently Senate and the Graduate School will only grant a 3 year embargo, which is reviewed at the end of this period. In exceptional cases a longer term period may be granted.
• Consultation of a print copies will NOT be allowed nor will it be listed on the library catalogue.  Nor will it be uploaded to EThOS, placed on the LRA or made available for inter-library loan

Edited Submission

If there is only a problem with a certain section of your thesis (e.g. an appendix with data that your funder wishes to keep confidential or perhaps an image where you are unsure of the copyright) then you may submit an edited version of your thesis to the LRA Team

You MUST notify us if a submitted eThesis is an edited version and not quite the same as the printed definitive copy.  Indicate clearly which sections, images etc. have been removed.