Tracing Theses

A thesis is a published piece of written work embodying the results of original research for the award of a higher degree from an academic institution. 

Reasons for consulting a thesis include:

• For use as an information resource relevant to your research topic, i.e. you may like to refer to and cite a thesis.
• To ensure that your proposed topic of research has not already been substantially covered by somebody else.
• To become acquainted with recent trends, methodologies and approaches in your subject.
• To gain understanding about what is expected of you if you are undertaking a research degree, and to gain ideas for structure, tone, language, layout etc.

Theses for the higher research degrees (PhD, M Litt,  M Phil or MRes) of the University of Birmingham are deposited with Libraries and Learning Resources. Since 2009, University of Birmingham research theses have been deposited in electronic format in the University of Birmingham eTheses Repository.

University of Birmingham theses are indexed and discoverable on FindIt@Bham. Carry out a search on FindIt@Bham using your topic, or search for your school or department directly (for best results, use the dropdown menu in the FindIt@Bham search bar to switch the scope of the search from an "Everything" search to a "UoB Research & Publications" search). 

Theses listed in the eTheses Repository will be available electronically, unless embargoes are in place. Select “View Online…” to access the full text. 

To access printed theses, select "Check for current availability at Research Reserve..." and then select “Request physical item”. Complete the form. You will receive an email notification when the thesis is ready for consultation. 

Please note the following:

• Theses may not be removed from the Library.
• You must sign the copyright declaration in each thesis used.
• Since theses are under copyright, you must consult Libraries and Learning Resources staff if you wish to photocopy more than a short extract.
• Occasionally an author may place an embargo on a thesis if any of its content is commercially valuable or confidential.

To search widely across theses from many countries (including the UK & Ireland), the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global database is highly recommended. It includes millions of searchable citations to theses from more than 70 countries, with 3.6 million being full-text titles. Metadata is available for theses from 1606 to current, with full-text being from 1997 to current (where the full-text is available).

Another option when searching for theses globally is to consult e-theses repositories available from other countries. The Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations contains a breakdown of e-theses repositories by country.

Please note that the British Library's EThOS service, which provides access to research theses from across the UK, remains offline following the cyber-attack on the British Library in October 2023. Work is currently underway to restore the service.