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Theses: print resources

Theses

Theses completed for higher research degrees (PhD, Masters or Honours) form an important body of original research. The Library does not receive a copy of every thesis presented to an Australian university, but it does have a selection and has several indexes to assist in locating Australian and overseas theses.

In most cases, a copy of a thesis is deposited in the library of the relevant university. You can access the online catalogues of Australian university libraries through the Australian Libraries Gateway. Alternatively, the National Bibliographic Database (NBD), accessible through Libraries Australia, lists materials held in the major libraries in Australia, including many university libraries. Links to both these sites can also be found on the Library’s website.

This guide contains selected print works only.

Catalogue search tips

To search for a thesis on a particular subject it is necessary to use an Advanced Search and combine keywords such as Dissertation or Thesis with your subject.

To browse a selection of theses, and guides to writing them, choose the Browse subjects option and enter the terms below. Add the country of publication if known:

Printed lists and indexes of theses can be found by using the same Browse subjects search. Look for entries with a subheading such as Bibliography or Indexes. For example:

Reference collection

Available on open access in the Main Reading Room.

Guide to Microform Research Collections in the National Library of Australia. 1992.
See pp. 148-149 for an outline of the Australian and overseas theses held on microform at the National Library. RF 027.594 N277.
Union List of Higher Degree Theses in Australian University Libraries. 1959+
A list of theses submitted for a higher degree at Australian universities. The list is arranged by author, subject and keyword indexes. Recent supplements covering the period 1974-1989 are available in the reference collection while those covering the period 1959-1973 are accessed via the catalogue. RFq 015.94075 UNI.