CPUT Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) Guidelines for Article-Based Theses Updated 22 August 2025 1. Background As an alternative to the traditional format for a thesis, it is permissible for doctoral candidates to submit a thesis in the form of a series of published, co-published or “ready-for-publication” articles prepared during candidature. With regard to master’s candidates, HDC approval is first required, based upon an application from the supervisor/candidate on the merit of submitting an article-format thesis. Furthermore, the articleformat thesis only applies to 100% master's or doctoral theses and excludes “case study” types of theses. There are numerous advantages of incorporating publications into a thesis, namely: •
Research students are increasingly advantaged in postdoctoral, academic and other professional employment applications if they have published or have prepared to publish during candidature.
•
Candidates write up their work only once, instead of once as a traditional thesis and later again as a publishable article.
•
In conjunction with proactive and appropriate planning, the envisioned articles set clear milestones for the candidate’s research.
•
The acceptance of articles for publication during candidature gives candidates the confidence that their research is of an international standard.
•
If much of the thesis has already been accepted as refereed publications, an examiner is less likely to be over-critical.
•
Where articles that have been submitted at the time of thesis submission are subsequently accepted for publication, the candidate is in a much stronger position to rebut an examiner’s criticisms.
•
Having publications accepted at the time of submission significantly enhances the prospects of the candidate’s securing employment or a postdoctoral position.
2. General Guidelines 2.1 The overriding principle is that the thesis should remain an original contribution to the discipline or field by the candidate, irrespective of the format of the thesis. 2.2 Chapters containing the journal articles should form a coherent and integrated body of work, which could be focused on a single project or set of related questions or propositions. It is important that all journal articles form part of a sustained thesis with a coherent theme. It is not sufficient to merely reproduce a series of unrelated works, whether published or unpublished. 2.3 Inclusion of work published prior to commencement of candidature is not permissible.
1