Multi-part thesis submissions Multi-part thesis submissions

A multi-part thesis is a thesis which includes a number of different electronic files and formats, beyond just a single PDF.

Multi-part thesis submissions are normally open to practice-based PhDs only (in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures).

However, there is currently a pilot running which will explore and support applications for the submission of a multi-part thesis from any school. This includes students on Masters by Research programmes.

This page tells you more about what a multi-part thesis is.
The guidance pages tell you about the process to apply during the pilot, which is different depending on whether you are on a practice-led PhD or not.

The pilot is running until October 2026. If you are not expecting to submit your thesis in the next 12 months but are interested in the submission of a multi-format thesis, we would still like to hear from you, so that we can gauge interest and gather information on the types of theses that might be coming through in the next few years. You should still have a preliminary discussion with your supervisory team – see the information about preliminary discussions on the relevant guidance page.

The pilot will help the Graduate Board consider whether a longer-term change in the regulations is needed to support submission of non-practice multi-part theses and to identify challenges and opportunities to better support the management and sharing of diverse digital materials.

What is a multi-part thesis?

A multi-part thesis is a thesis which includes a number of different electronic files and formats, beyond just a single PDF. A multi-part thesis presents opportunities for more flexible and creative presentation and examination of work, providing there is a robust academic rationale for submitting the content in this way.

These components are considered part of the examined thesis itself, and there must be a sound academic reason why the work is better presented in multiple formats rather than as one PDF.

Examples could include (this list is not exhaustive):

Content that is not easily accommodated in a single PDF due to its size, ege data or other material that would typically form part of your appendix
Content that is better presented in its original source format for ease of use
Computer code
A video (rather than static images) of an experimental set-up or cell movement
A visualisation of a weather front
A visualisation of a 3-D model
A portfolio of videos, audio files or other file types illustrating creative practice.

A multi-part thesis is one of several non-traditional formats available to PGRs at Leeds. As well as being multi-part, your thesis could also be one or both of the following:

Alternative format thesis

An alternative format thesis is a particular thesis structure, not primarily a file-format issue.

Instead of a traditional monograph, it includes:

Published papers or other published material
A written commentary that ties the publications together

Under this protocol, published work can be incorporated directly into the thesis without rewriting it into conventional thesis chapters.

Different faculties have specific protocols governing this format:

Practice-led research degree submissions (Arts, Humanities and Cultures)

A practice-led research degree submission is only available to certain programmes in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures.

These submissions typically consist of:

A written component (critical commentary, exegesis, etc.)
A body of creative practice (for example artwork, performances, films, compositions, installations)

Because the creative practice often exists as multiple digital files, practice-led submissions are frequently also multi-part submissions. They are governed by a separate practice-led research protocol and do not require the formal application process that non-practice-led students must follow for multi-part theses. However, we would invite PGRs who are planning a practice-led submission to complete the pilot form, to allow us to build a comprehensive picture of multi-part submissions.

Read the Protocol for practice-led research degree candidatures for further information.

Support to plan a multi-part thesis

If you wish to explore the submission of a multi-part thesis, please consult the guidance page for non-practice-led PGRs or guidance page for practice-led PGRs and discuss this with your supervisory team at an early point.

Advice is available – email the Progression and examination team in Doctoral College Operations: rp_examinations@adm.leeds.ac.uk.

The Library team will be happy to provide advice and support to help you in your planning of the thesis. Please contact the Library as early as possible in advance of making your submission. Email the Library team: lib-etheses@leeds.ac.uk.

Information on research data management, including good practice when handling sensitive data, is available on the Research Data Leeds website. Advice and support on research data management are available from the Library's Research Data team. Contact them well before you submit your thesis – email the Library Research data team: researchdataenquiries@leeds.ac.uk. Please also see Ethics review process.

Information on the White Rose eTheses Online (WREO) and thesis embargo arrangements can be found in the Submit your final eThesis page.

Supplementary material

You may have additional material/data which might be helpful for examiners to see, however this does not necessarily require an application for a multi-part thesis.

Separate arrangements exist for the submission of supplementary material and are not covered by this pilot. Supplementary content is defined as additional data and materials which it may be useful for examiners to have access to but there is no requirement for the examiners to refer to the supplementary data/material to examine the work. The thesis must stand alone and be understandable without the supplementary data/material. The examiners may access the supplementary material if they wish but may choose not to do so.

The pilot is looking at submission of examined content only. You should instead complete the separate supplementary data form and submit this to GRAD alongside your thesis for examination. If material is suitable for open sharing and you wish to obtain a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) so the material can be readily cited, you may wish to deposit the material with a research data repository. Contact the Research Data Leeds team in the Library for advice.