New requirement: Eight-week notice for doctoral thesis submission

Dear research community

From May 2026, all doctoral candidates will be required to upload their intention to submit documents to PeopleSoft at least eight weeks before they are permitted to upload their thesis for examination.

This change forms part of a broader effort to streamline the administrative processes supporting doctoral examination and to ensure a smoother, more timely completion process.

What is changing?

The Doctoral Degrees Board (DDB) Office will introduce a strict eight-week notice period between uploading an intention to submit and a doctoral thesis.

• Candidates will only be able to upload their thesis after the full eight-week period has passed.
• PeopleSoft will only enable thesis upload and submission once the full eight-week notice period has elapsed.
• This time is required to complete essential administrative steps, including the appointment of examiners.

Why this matters?

Meeting the intention to submit deadline is essential to avoid delays in examination and graduation timelines.

Fee rebate deadlines

Students wishing to qualify for a 100% or 50% fee rebate must align their submission plans with the two annual submission deadlines published on the Doctoral Candidates webpage and the Fees Handbook. Candidates approaching completion are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with these dates in advance.

Implementation

This process change will be implemented on 1 May 2026. I request that the university community distribute this important information to all doctoral students and supervisors to assist in planning the timeline for the submission of the thesis for examination. Further guidance will be published on the Doctoral Candidates webpage.

For further information or assistance, contact the Doctoral Degrees Board Office.

Warm regards

Professor Thokozani Majozi
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements