Academic editing
Brisbane’s thesis editing expert.
Have you written a PhD or master’s thesis, research paper or postgraduate assignment that’s almost ready for submission? I bet you’ve read it a hundred times and pondered over every sentence. Perhaps you’ve grappled with formatting or worried about grammatical errors (especially if English is not your first language). Or maybe you just want to give yourself the absolute best chance of success.
No matter where you’re based in Australia, or what university you’re studying at, I’m here to help. My academic editing services will alleviate stress and showcase your hard work in the best possible light.
Why choose me as your thesis editor?
Having spent more than 16 years working at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), I understand there’s no margin for error when it comes to academic writing. My love for helping students achieve their goals is what led me to specialise in thesis editing.
At QUT, I co-developed a ‘thesis template’ and a manual detailing how to present a thesis using Microsoft Word and led ‘Word for Thesis’ workshops for four years. I’m also a member of the IPEd Standing Committee on Academic Editing, which in 2018 revised the Guidelines for editing research theses . It’s fair to say that thesis editing is my zone of genius.
I mainly edit theses in the fields of education, humanities, social sciences and business, but I can apply my ‘eye for detail’ to most subject areas.
Keep me signed for 2 weeks
COVID-19 business hours : We are open 24/7, as always. Our editors are working in safe environments, and are eager to serve you, now more than ever.
You need a modern browser to use this website
Instant Quote free sample edit
Thesis Editing Service in Australia
- sentence structure
- academic tone
- punctuation and capitalisation
- presentation and layout
- consistency of verb tenses
- In-text references
- Other key elements
As your work will be proofread and edited by an academic expert in your field of study, your thesis will be precise, clear, and concise. Try our thesis editing service in Australia to refine the composition of your papers and improve your grades.
553 054 Pages Edited
25 635 Happy Customers
Yvonne's work has been absolutely terrific. I am very impressed.
See more customer reviews
very good. if it can provide latex service, it would be better.
Absolutely brilliant. Great work, fast and a very friendly editor.
Outstanding!
Impress Your Committee—the First Time!
- Mistakes cost you. Let our team find the errors before your advisor does.
- Preparation is key. Set yourself up for success with our expert feedback.
- Exceed expectations. Start your future!
We edit for results
Fast proofreading and editing, deadline guaranteed
Free sample edit with your first job.
Check out feedback given by real WordsRU customers!
Get a Quote
Don't Take Our Word For It
August 07, 2024
(United States of America)
Carole is an excellent editor! Her feedback is right on the mark.
July 25, 2024
Our academic areas of expertise
What wordsru thesis editing service can do for you.
C ongratulations, your thesis is written! But now what? Chances are, once you look over your university's submission guidelines and take a look at a few paragraphs from your thesis at random, you'll realise that you still have a long way to go before your thesis is ready to be submitted for evaluation or printing. There are loads of detailed formatting requirements, you have to make sure that you've treated special words and concepts consistently throughout the paper and that you've prepared figures and statistical abbreviations correctly...the list goes on and on.
F ortunately, that's where WordsRU steps in. Our Plus Service will take the rough draft of your thesis in hand and return a copy that
- has been fully formatted to your university's submission guidelines,
- perfectly conforms to the style guide (APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, etc.),
- is corrected of errors and typos,
- has been rephrased to avoid passive voice, awkward phrasing, incongruous word choice, and to implement a formal, academic tone that is appropriate to your esteemed reader,
- is filled with useful comments to help improve your writing ability, suggest re-organization options, and let you know about gaps or tangents in the discussion, and
- addresses any other concerns you have in mind.
I f your thesis has been accepted and just needs a final check before you sent it to the printer for binding and publication, our Basic Proofread service will be just what you need. This is a lower cost option that delivers the correction of errors in
- punctuation, and
as well as notes and comments to alert you to larger issues in phrasing or formatting that you might wish to revise.
O ur service can save you weeks of detailed revising and review with your advisor and committee. When you come to WordsRU for your thesis editing, you can feel confident that the final draft will reflect highly on all that you've achieved!
W e will return two copies of your thesis: a marked copy, with all corrections and comments showing, and a revised copy that has the corrections accepted and comments removed. Note that the revised copy will not necessarily be ready to submit to your professor or Chair! You should review and address any comments or suggestions the editor has made before you submit. There may be additional information you need to add to the reference list entries or gaps in the discussion that require revision.
F urthermore, WordsRU will remain available to assist you even after the edit has been completed! Your editor will answer any questions you have, clarify the editorial comments, and even review brief passages that you decided to revise based on his or her comments and feedback.
M ost importantly, our high ethical standards ensure that your academic integrity will remain intact. WordsRU editors do not add content or alter the meaning of your writing (nor do we provide thesis writing, researching, or statistical analysis services). Our editors' suggestions and recommendations, however, will help you revise your thesis to become the best it can be, well within the rules and regulations of your school's plagiarism and ethical standards policy.
FAQ (Frequently asked questions)
My chair/supervisor told me he/she wants my final draft right away how long will it take to edit.
We will meet your deadline whenever possible. If your deadline is short, we offer expedited service (for an additional fee). The chief editor will work with you to establish a deadline that works for you and allows the editor to conduct a thorough and complete edit.
I'm already paying for tuition, books...you name it! Is editing expensive?
WordsRU understands the cost of being a student! However having your thesis edited is essential to having it accepted. Knowing this, the chief editor will offer you the best price possible. WordsRU's thesis editing services offer the most for your money.
What if I have questions after the editor returns my thesis?
We invite your questions after the edit is completed. Your editor will remain available to answer your questions, explain any comments or recommendations, and even review specific passages that you may have revised, based on the edit.
What if my thesis is not approved?
WordsRU provides a comprehensive and thorough academic editing service, as well as an opportunity for you to ask questions after the edit. Although we cannot promise that your Chair or supervisor will approve your thesis, we will correct any issues found that are directly related to the edit.
My school/department has very strict rules related to formatting. Will the editor help me with formatting?
If you let the WordsRU chief editor know about any particular issues or concerns you want addressed in the edit, we will factor those into your job. We are familiar with many university and college guidelines, so your editor will ensure that your paper meets all requirements. If we don't already have your school's thesis guidelines, your editor will review and apply any guidelines that you provide.
I need a few references added, but I'm in a hurry. I can supply the websites, and all you have to do is look them up and add them. Is this included in your editing service?
WordsRU has a very firm policy when it comes to academic papers of all kinds. We will not conduct research, write, add to, or alter your content, nor will we conduct data analysis. We believe that students' work should be their own. If you have incomplete references, your editor will point out what information is needed, so that you can look it up and add it.
Can I talk to a live person?
Absolutely! The chief editor is available both by phone and the message feature on the job page you create. Your editor will be available through the message feature only, but our editors are very prompt in answering your messages. Plus, the chief editor stays in the background throughout the entire process, from your initial contact with WordsRU to completion of the job—and even after that, should you need more editing!
Editing Fees
- Our editing fees are based on the word count of your document and how soon you would like it returned.
- Prices are provided in Australian dollars.
- The fee must be paid at or before time of submission. We accept Mastercard, Visa, PayPal and bank transfer.
- If the university has agreed to pay the fee we will issue a 30-day invoice.
FEE CALCULATOR:
- Please enter your word count in the Fee Calculator to receive an exact price.
- We will email you an instant quote for documents larger than 50,000 words.
- Extra-Urgent job prices are indicative and are subject to an editor being available who can complete the job in the required time.
- If you would like to use the Extra-Urgent service please contact us at [email protected].
- Enter the Word Count of your document... * If you would like us to edit your reference list or appendices please include them in your word count.
Calculate Submit Document
| Service level | Standard | Express | Urgent | Extra urgent |
| Turnaround time | x days | y days | z days | less than z days |
| Fee | AAA | BBB | CCC | DDD |
Request Quote
Spot prices up to 50,000 words, in australian dollars.
*Extra Urgent price is
indicative and turnaround is
subject to editor availability.
| Turnaround Times: | ||||
| Up to 500 words | $65 | $85 | $105 | $115 |
| 1,000 words | $95 | $120 | $150 | $165 |
| 1,500 words | $125 | $155 | $190 | $210 |
| 2,000 words | $155 | $190 | $230 | $255 |
| Turnaround Times: | ||||
| 3,000 words | $210 | $255 | $310 | $340 |
| 4,000 words | $265 | $320 | $385 | $425 |
| 5,000 words | $320 | $380 | $460 | $505 |
| 6,000 words | $355 | $420 | $510 | $560 |
| Turnaround Times: | ||||
| 7,000 words | $390 | $465 | $560 | $615 |
| 8,000 words | $430 | $505 | $605 | $670 |
| 9,000 words | $465 | $545 | $655 | $720 |
| 10,000 words | $505 | $590 | $705 | $775 |
| 12,500 words | $595 | $690 | $820 | $900 |
| Turnaround Times: | ||||
| 15,000 words | $685 | $790 | $930 | $1,025 |
| 17,500 words | $780 | $890 | $1,045 | $1,150 |
| 20,000 words | $870 | $995 | $1,155 | $1,275 |
| 25,000 words | $1,055 | $1,190 | $1,370 | $1,510 |
| Turnaround Times: | ||||
| 30,000 words | $1,240 | $1,385 | $1,585 | $1,745 |
| 40,000 words | $1,610 | $1,780 | $2,015 | $2,215 |
| 50,000 words | $1,980 | $2,170 | $2,440 | $2,685 |
| 50,001 words + | ||||
Please click here to request a quote Please click here to request a quote
Request a quote
Please enter your details and we will email a quote to you.
- Enter the Word Count of your document *
- Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
HELP: FORMATTING
- Choose 'leave formatting as it is' if you would like us to maintain the current formatting in your document. We will make sure it is neat and consistent.
- Choose 'I will upload the formatting guidelines' if you have specific instructions about formatting that need to be followed, for example, if you are submitting a thesis for editing and your university has specific thesis-formatting guidelines. Then, upload these guidelines when you upload your document for editing.
- Choose 'Elite Editing House Style' if you would like us to format your document according to our own guidelines, which have been specially designed to meet general university requirements.
- Choose 'APA 6th edition' if you want your document to be formatted according to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) 6th edition. APA formatting is designed specifically for draft manuscripts of journal articles and certain aspects are not appropriate for a thesis that is divided into chapters and is in its final form. If you are submitting a thesis we will modify APA style according to the preferred thesis style of most universities.
Editing guidelines
Please paste a link to the journal editing guidelines if possible.
Copyright 2024, Elite Editing
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
Academic and Thesis Editing
Call Us: +61.409258714
PO Box 24315
Melbourne VIC 3001
+61.409258714
www.academicandthesisediting.com
Do you require an editor for academic or thesis editing?
The editor has worked as a university lecturer in Australia and Asia,
thesis supervisor and as a Managing Editor and Reviewer for a range of international academic journals.
Disciplines include education, humanities, business studies, the arts and music.
Testimonials
“Thanks for getting back to me so soon and your constructive comments.” “Thank you for the great job and the quick turnaround.”
Copyright © Studio . All rights reserved.
Should I get an editor for my thesis?
I often get asked if students are allowed to use professional editors. In most universities you can and there are even funds provided for this purpose in some cases. Brendan Brown, Director of The Expert Editor, an Australian professional editing company that specialises in thesis editing, sent me this article recently. I thought the article was useful, so I’m publishing it even though I cannot personally vouch for this service. If you are interested, you can visit their website at www.experteditor.com.au or follow Brendan on Google+.
(editor’s note – I have not personally used this service. One student has reported an adverse experience with this editorial service following this post. Please ask for samples of their work before proceeding and make your own decision.)
Editing is beneficial to a native-speaking student and virtually mandatory if English is your second language. It can enhance the quality of language, remove errors and ensure academic conventions are met. In particular, editing allows ESL students to be marked on the substance of their ideas, not their innate ability to write fluent academic English. Every student should utilise an editor in the final stages of their thesis, either a friend, family member or a professional.
Share this:
The Thesis Whisperer is written by Professor Inger Mewburn, director of researcher development at The Australian National University . New posts on the first Wednesday of the month. Subscribe by email below. Visit the About page to find out more about me, my podcasts and books. I'm on most social media platforms as @thesiswhisperer. The best places to talk to me are LinkedIn , Mastodon and Threads.
- Post (609)
- Page (16)
- Product (6)
- Getting things done (259)
- Miscellany (139)
- On Writing (139)
- Your Career (113)
- You and your supervisor (66)
- Writing (48)
- productivity (23)
- consulting (13)
- TWC (13)
- supervision (12)
- 2024 (8)
- 2023 (12)
- 2022 (11)
- 2021 (15)
- 2020 (22)
Whisper to me....
Enter your email address to get posts by email.
Email Address
Sign me up!
- On the reg: a podcast with @jasondowns
- Thesis Whisperer on Facebook
- Thesis Whisperer on Instagram
- Thesis Whisperer on Soundcloud
- Thesis Whisperer on Youtube
- Thesiswhisperer on Mastodon
- Thesiswhisperer page on LinkedIn
- Thesiswhisperer Podcast
- 12,229,655 hits
Discover more from The Thesis Whisperer
Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.
Type your email…
Continue reading
Your Guide To Thesis Editing in Australia
A background to thesis editing.
Thanks to friends, family, supervisors and fellow students, thesis editing has been around as long as postgraduate degrees, but professional thesis editing services are relatively new, especially in Australia.
As a result of intense competition, higher standards and the ever-increasing demands of academic success, postgrad students wanting to progress in academia, win funding or land a good job now find themselves looking for an edge to increase the quality of their thesis as well as any publications, like journal articles, they write along their journey to graduation.
Professional thesis editors and proofreaders provide this edge by making theses as perfect as possible. A highly trained copyeditor will ensure that the thesis topic, research, reasoning and conclusions are clearly and concisely set out and easy to understand. All this makes a favourable impression on thesis examiners.
The Importance of Thesis Editing for Students
You could have the best thesis topic in the world, with groundbreaking insights, and life-altering conclusions, but if your grammar is sloppy, your formatting inconsistent, and your referencing incomplete, your brilliance will most likely be overlooked.
Perhaps your formatting is clear, and your referencing meets university requirements, but you’re prone to ‘silly’ mistakes (like incorrect apostrophes) or switch between American and Australian English.
You could proofread your own thesis, but your brain tends to compensate for these mistakes by reading correctly what is incorrectly written. Research shows that every time you read a document, your brain automatically uses less energy to do so. It sees what it thinks is there, not what is there. And how many times have you read your thesis?
There are thesis editing apps and programs, which are considerably cheaper than hiring a professional thesis editor to proofread your work. But they tend to miss mistakes and make incorrect suggestions. We are all familiar with the basic errors they miss, such as homophones, where the spelling is correct, but you’ve used the wrong word, like leek instead of leak. But when it comes to the sophisticated level of language that you should be using in your master’s or PhD thesis, a spelling and grammar checker will miss even more because it will often misinterpret your meaning. There’s no AI replacement for the human brain, yet!
A reputable thesis editing company with experienced academic editors and proofreaders will pick up the smallest mistakes and inconsistencies so that your hard work is presented in the best possible way.
The Increasing Popularity of Thesis Editing
Demand for professionals to proofread and edit theses is growing for several reasons.
Many universities have a growing contingent of international students for whom English is a second or even third, fourth or fifth language. They need someone to proofread and edit their work to ensure the language, grammar, and syntax are correct, and the information is clear and well organised. Thesis proofreaders ensure international students are not handicapped by the tricky (and sometimes nonsensical) English language.
Many academic supervisors recommend thesis editing services because they make their lives easier. It’s more pleasant to read error-free writing than work spotted with mistakes that distract and detract from the work and muddy meaning and intent.
Proofreading and editing take a long time, especially if it’s a 100-page undergrad thesis or a 300-page postgrad dissertation. No matter how good they are at writing, it’s remarkably difficult for anyone who isn’t a professional editor to remain focused and conscientious, and to catch every error. Hiring professional editing services saves time, lessens stress and guarantees the 100% focus and attention that your work deserves.
Ethics and Guidelines of Thesis Editing
There is a distinct difference between editing to improve content (i.e., research, ideas, information and sophisticated matters of structure) and editing to correct and improve grammar, syntax, spelling, consistency, formatting and referencing. The first essentially rewrites work and is considered cheating. It’s referred to as ‘substantive editing’ and is prohibited by university guidelines. The second cleans up work to remove ambiguity, confusion and inconsistency in language, citations and cross-references.
Ethical thesis editing abides by the standards determined by professional editing organisations and universities to guide service offerings. Unethical editors throw the guidelines out the window and provide any service students are willing to pay for, even if it is technically plagiarism or cheating.
Always hire editing and proofreading professionals who clearly state their code of ethics and can name the guidelines that they are following. Avoid those who don’t and who dodge questions about their professional academic editing accreditations.
Why Thesis Editing is Permissible by Universities
Thesis editing is permissible for postgraduate students provided you and the professional editing and proofreading service provider you choose abide by the guidelines developed by the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd) in collaboration with the Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR). These important rules are called the ‘Guidelines for Editing Research Theses’. Universities draw the line at changes to content and sophisticated matters of structure. So editors can correct your grammatical errors, cleaning up your commas and colons, but can’t wholly rewrite your sentences.
Your supervisor or your department’s friendly admin staff might be able to recommend particular professional thesis editing service providers that are familiar with your university’s rules and your specific department’s preferences when it comes to things like formatting and referencing.
Editors and proofreaders eliminate mistakes and ensure consistency. They aren’t there to do your research and write (or rewrite) your thesis for you. Some unscrupulous editing service providers may offer these services. If they do, run a mile because it’s a violation of all academic editing guidelines.
The Institute of Professional Editors Limited (IPEd)
IPEd is the professional association for Australian and New Zealand editors. It provides professional accreditation and helps members stay on top of their craft with ongoing professional development opportunities. It establishes and promotes professional standards, and holds members to these standards.
The IPEd website has a guide to editing research theses, including guidelines for ethical editing specific to academia and creative work submitted for examination purposes. The institute is responsible for publishing any revisions, approved by the IPEd Board and endorsed by the ACGR, to the thesis editing guidelines.
Thesis editors and proofreaders, academic supervisors, and research students themselves must familiarise themselves with the guidelines and follow them, especially regarding restrictions and limitations imposed on academic editing.
Accreditation is not easy to come by, as applicants have to achieve a grade of over 80% in a rigorous four-hour exam. IPEd strongly recommends that editors have more than three years’ full-time experience before they even attempt the exam. Accredited editors must renew their accreditation every five years.
Australian Thesis Editing Companies
You have two options if you want to hire professional thesis proofreading and editing services:
- Choose a company that specialises in academic proofreading and editing.
- Choose a freelancer that specialises in academic proofreading and editing.
Specialisation is the key: there is a world of difference between editing a corporation’s annual report and a 200-page doctoral thesis. The requirements and standards are like chalk and cheese, as are the rules and ethics regarding what is and isn’t allowed in academic editing.
We’re going to look at four of the top thesis editing companies in Australia and the freelancing option with regard to three points:
- Delivery time
1. Capstone Editing
- Capstone Editing abides by the ‘Guidelines for Editing Research Theses’, the Australian Standards of Editing Practice and specific rules and guides for each university concerned—no substantive (structure or content) editing for students.
- Most of the editors employed are Accredited Editors and Professional Members of IPEd.
- The company is a corporate member of IPEd.
- The website has a Code of Ethics .
Delivery Time:
- There are three delivery options: Standard, Express and Priority.
- There is a Last-Minute service available on request—provided a suitably experienced thesis editor is available.
- Turnaround time varies according to word count and the level of editing service selected.
- The Premium editing service with Standard delivery for 5,000 words is 3 days; Priority delivery is 24 hours.
- For 5,000 words, the Platinum package has a Standard turnaround of 4 days and Priority turnaround of 2 days.
- Long theses (up to 100,000 words) have a Standard turnaround of 14 days and Priority time turnaround of 7 days.
- Capstone Editing has an On-Time Guarantee.
- Cost depends on word count and the editing service and turnaround selected.
- For example, 5,000 words of Premium editing with a Standard 3-day delivery is $282.49.
- On the other end of the spectrum, 80,000 words of Platinum editing with Standard delivery of 14 days is $2,696.11—for the Priority service of 7-days, it’s $3,165.69.
- Capstone Editing is the only editing service to offer interest-free repayment plans.
2. Elite Editing
- Elite Editing abides by the requirements of the ‘Guidelines for Editing Research Theses’, the Australian Standards of Editing Practice and specific rules and guides for each university concerned—no substantive (structure or content) editing for students.
- There are four delivery options: Standard, Express, Urgent and Extra Urgent (if thesis editors are available).
- Turnaround time varies according to word count.
- Up to 5,000 words, Standard delivery is 5 days, and Urgent is 2 days.
- Up to 50,000 words, Standard delivery is 14 days, and Urgent is 7 days.
- *More than 50,000 words require a special quote.
- Elite Editing has a 100% Delivery Guarantee.
- Cost depends on word count and turnaround selected.
- 5,000 words of with a Standard 5-day delivery is $280.
- Higher up the scale, up to 50,000 words with Standard delivery of 14 days costs $1,745 and $2,155 for the 7-day Urgent service.
3. Expert Editor
- Expert Editor abides by the Institute of Professional Editors guidelines for editing research theses—will not assist with content.
- Students enter a preferred return date, and Expert Editor undertakes to meet that deadline.
- Short turnaround times may be accommodated.
- If a deadline is too tight, an alternative delivery time is suggested.
- Expert Editor has no guarantees regarding meeting deadlines.
- Cost depends on word count. Turnaround times need to be negotiated.
- 5,000 words costs $221.
- 80,000 words costs $2,080.
- Payment is normally upfront. But for large thesis projects (over 80,000 words), it’s possible to pay half up-front and the other half before the delivery date.
- Scribbr is a Dutch academic proofreading and editing company that operates internationally.
- Not all thesis editing services provided to students are permitted by Australian universities.
- It’s up to students to know exactly what is and isn’t permitted and purchase the services allowed by the ‘Guidelines for Editing Research Theses’ and the rules relevant to their university.
- Turnaround times are negotiated, with services of 1, 3 and 7 days offered for short documents. The website notes that at least 7 days are required to edit up to 75,000 words, and that more time might be required depending on the quality of the document.
- Scribbr has no guarantees regarding meeting deadlines.
- Cost depends on word count, level of study, amount of editing services chosen and turnaround selected.
- 5,000 words with a turnaround time of 3 days costs $245 if you are a master’s or PhD student, or $328 if you add on a Clarity Check—something that is already included in Capstone Editing’s and Elite Editing’s standard editing services.
- Going up the scale, 80,000 words will set you back $2,275 for the Proofreading & Editing service only, or $3,155 when you add on the Clarity Check.
- **There is a $25 setup fee.
5. Freelancers
- Individual thesis editing freelancers determine their own code of ethics.
- If in doubt, look for an Accredited Editor who is also a Professional Member of IPEd.
- They should abide by the ‘Guidelines for Editing Research Theses’.
- Delivery time depends on the freelancer’s schedule and on the student’s needs.
- Delivery estimates are worked out on a case-by-case basis.
- Students should be aware that if their freelance editor is unable to complete the job for any reason, there may not be anyone in place to replace them automatically.
- The cost of editing provided by a freelancer will be determined by that individual, based on factors such as his or her qualifications and experience. The tend to quote per project rather than having set fees, and they might charge by the hour instead of according to word count. Rates can vary widely.
- The Institute of Professional Editors has recommended rates for freelance thesis editors and proofreaders.
- For example, freelancers with fewer than two years’ experience should normally charge $60 to $80 per hour.
- Freelancers with extensive or specialised experience normally charge $110 to $160 per hour.
- Many freelancers advertise on niche job websites.
Factors for Selecting a Thesis Editing Service
Your thesis has the potential to set the tone for your career, so you need to research your options and choose the professional editing company that best suits you, your needs and your means.
Google is a blessing and a curse. It will give you thousands of search results, but it doesn’t tell you which of the thesis editing and proofreading companies that come up are genuinely reputable and which might be popular but have no regard for ethics.
There are three important criteria to consider when making your choice:

Let’s take a closer look.
Does the company abide by the guidelines set by the Institute of Professional Editors and the Australian Council of Graduate Research? These guidelines determine which services are ethical and permissible for postgraduates to use for their academic editing and proofreading and which aren’t.
For example, it’s okay to correct grammar and syntax and ensure consistency and completeness concerning, for example, formatting, references, capitalisation and punctuation.
It’s not okay to change the content or structure of the thesis, and it is certainly not ethical to carry out additional research or rewrite sections. While the thesis editing and proofreading guidelines are standardised in Australia, it’s important to note that some departments may have their own guides that explain what is allowable.
For example, express permission to use a thesis editor may be required, or you may need to show your supervisor both the unedited and edited versions of your thesis. Make sure you know and follow your department’s specific rules.
Delivery Time
Editing delivery time depends on the length of the document or thesis being edited. It also depends on what you want to be done; that is, a standard editing or proofreading service, or one that is heavier and more extensive (while still following the guidelines). For example, it’s not possible for a 25,000-word thesis to be properly edited and proofread in 24 hours.
Some thesis editing service providers have different levels of service, which affects turnaround time. For example, a standard service package at a standard delivery time could take anything from three to 28 days. Many companies offer a priority option, in which case it could take between one day and two weeks.
You might need something more than a standard service, though, especially if English isn’t your first language or you have dyslexia. Extra-strength thesis editing needs extra time. For example, a 25,000-word thesis requiring heavy editing or additional editing services could take a minimum of five days, even with a priority turnaround time.
While you can rely on the quality of work from reputable editors and proofreaders, it’s recommended that you give yourself plenty of time to carefully read the finished product to ensure that everything is as it should be. Depending on the level of service chosen, a specialist academic editor might also provide you with guidance and advice about additional work you need to do yourself to improve or complete your thesis, for example, if references are missing or more support for your argument is required.
The cost will depend on your document’s length, turnaround time, level of service and service provider. It also depends on whether you go with a thesis editing company or a freelancer. Quality and reputation can also affect the price. While expensive services don’t always equate quality, super cheap rates generally indicate shoddy, ethically ambiguous work.
A few cost examples:
IPEd has recommended rates for freelancers; this varies from $60–$80 per hour for someone with fewer than two years’ experience (a level of expertise that would typically not be considered adequate for academic editing or thesis editing) to $110–$160 per hour for someone with extensive experience and a specialisation. (Rates calculated by IPEd in January 2020 and to be reviewed annually.)
If you go with a thesis editing company, you’re looking at (approximately) $370 to $500 for a 10,000-word Honours thesis. For an 80,000-word PhD thesis, you’re looking at (approximately) $2,080 to $3,200.
Capstone Editing is the only thesis editing company to offer payment plans that allow you to pay the service cost over a chosen period (3, 6, 9 or 12 months). This is invaluable for students who can’t come up with a wad of cash in one go, especially scholarship students and international students already paying high tuition fees.
Expert Editor offers undergrad and postgrad students the ability to pay for half of their thesis editing up-front and the remainder upon delivery of the edited service, another helpful option for cash-strapped students.
5 Tips for Writing Your Thesis
Hiring a thesis editor or proofreader is all good and well, but first, you need to have something to send them. Let’s take a quick look at how to write your thesis.
1) Pick a subject you find interesting
You’ll be working on your thesis for a long time, so you better find the subject fascinating. This way, you’re more likely to engage anyone who reads your thesis and make them interested too.
2) Drill beneath the surface to discover your research questions
Once you’ve chosen a thesis subject, you need to delve deeper and discover the questions about it that remain to be answered. You and your supervisor can work together to look for areas that require deeper exploration. While it is acceptable for an Honours research project to simply do something that has been done before in a different way, a master’s or PhD thesis topic must allow your research to make a unique contribution to the field.
3) Tackle your thesis a little bit at a time
Performing your research and writing a thesis is a big project, and it can be daunting; so start with what you know and what you want to prove, and put together a research plan and a basic thesis structure. You can then tackle the larger project one small step at a time.
4) Use the correct formatting and preferred templates
Find out whether your university supplies a template to guide the structure and formatting of your thesis. Some departments even provide a specific Word template for their students to use.
Use the template from the get-go, even for recording your research, so you don’t create unnecessary stress for yourself by having to re-do work later on.
Find out your department’s preferred referencing style and use it from the beginning, at the research stage. Record all the sources you have read and accessed, in the correct referencing style, not just for your own records but also in case you are asked to provide a bibliography rather than just a reference list (which only includes those sources that you have cited in your thesis).
5) Don’t get bogged down by order
When it comes to writing up your thesis, don’t worry about putting it into words in any precise order. Opinions vary, but a general guide is to start with the easiest bits to gain momentum and then finish with the parts you find the most difficult. So long as you have a detailed plan before you begin writing, it doesn’t matter in what order you write your sections or subsections.
Two quick tips before we go:
1) Take advantage of your academic supervisors’ experience, but don’t rely on her or him.
2) ‘Save As’ your work at least once every 20–30 minutes (don’t just ‘Save’ over top of your work!) and back it up on external devices and the cloud. The last thing you need is to lose hours of work because your computer crashed, let alone months or years because—God forbid—your house burned down during your postgrad degree! (Hey, it’s happened!)
Final Points
If you’re looking for a thesis editing and proofreading provider, a quick Google search will show you’re spoilt for choice. However, it takes a little more than a few search phrases to find a quality, reliable, reputable and accredited professional editor—let alone one qualified and experienced enough to edit your doctoral thesis as opposed to a short story or a company’s brochure.
Delivery time and cost are important factors in choosing a thesis editing company or freelancer, but don’t underestimate the value of professional accreditation. Accreditation by itself doesn’t guarantee quality either, but it’s an indication that the company or freelancer concerned is suitably qualified and operates ethically, that is, within universities’ acceptable parameters.
Don’t be afraid to ask editing service providers probing questions, and if you encounter resistance, close the tab and look elsewhere!
Good luck! Use the research and analytical skills you’ve obtained during your degrees in your search for a thesis editor, and we are confident you will end up in good hands!
Related Posts
How to Write an Essay: Part 5
How to write an essay: part 4, how to write an essay: part 3, leave a reply cancel reply.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Graduate Research Hub
- Preparing my thesis
- Writing my thesis
Getting started on your thesis
The approach to writing will vary by discipline. The best way to make sure you are doing the right thing is to talk to your supervisors, plan the structure of your thesis and start writing early and regularly.
In creative arts disciplines where your thesis may take the form of creative works and a dissertation, you should also discuss the form and presentation of your thesis with your supervisor, to ensure that it is presented as a cohesive whole. You can refer to the thesis with creative works page for further information on formatting , weighting and the examination process for creative works.
Thesis formats, preface and word limits
The rules governing thesis content, language and word limits are contained in the Graduate Research Training Policy while the formatting and preface requirements for theses, compilations and creative works are provided in the Preparation of Graduate Research Theses Rules . You can also refer to the sample thesis title page .
If your thesis includes some of your publications, or material extracted from some of your publications, format requirements are explained under Including your published material in your thesis .
The University repository, Minerva Access , stores completed theses and is a good resource for viewing how others have presented their work. Just browse by types and choose Masters research thesis, PhD thesis or Doctorate .
You will need to add an Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) to your thesis title page. Information on the ORCID and how to apply for one is available from the University Library
If your thesis includes third party copyright material, the Preparation of Graduate Research Theses Rules requires you to include a list of the material and whether or not you have gained permission from the copyright owners to make this material publicly available as part of your thesis. When creating the list, please use the Template for Listing Third Party Copyright Material . For further information on copyright and dealing with the copyright of others, see Copyright & Research .
Check the Handbook entry for your course for specific word limits and, where applicable, for the proportion of the thesis to be presented as a creative work.
The maximum word limit for theses (including footnotes but excluding tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices) are:
- 50 000 words for Masters theses
- 100 000 words for a PhD or doctoral thesis.
You should aim to write a thesis shorter than the maximum allowed, for example 40 000 for a Masters thesis or 80 000 words for a PhD. Any thesis that exceeds the maximum limit requires permission to proceed to examination, which must be sought via the Graduate Research Examinations Office prior to submission.
It may have been necessary for you to significantly alter your research plan, due the COVID-19 pandemic or other major disruption. In some cases, this may mean that the thesis you submit is not typical for your discipline. In your thesis, you should discuss any methodological changes you have made and explain how the changes arose because of the disruptions. Theses usually also include discussion of possible future research; you may wish to outline research that could be done once conditions change. Your discussion in the thesis of COVID-19 or other impacts will guide the examiners’ understanding of the reported work and the environment in which it was undertaken.
Acknowledging COVID-19 disruptions in your thesis
This guide discusses how to explain the impact of COVID-19 disruptions in your thesis. You should consult with your supervisors to decide what approach suits your situation best.
What to include or exclude
When you include statements within your PhD, other than in the Acknowledgements, they must be objective and within the scope of matters that examiners consider. You can include statements about the impact of COVID-19 or other significant external disruptions on matters such as the scope of the thesis; experimental design; or access to resources including facilities, collections, cohorts of experimental subjects, fieldwork, laboratories, and performance spaces. Note this list is indicative only. If in doubt, contact your supervisor or advisory committee chair about other relevant inclusions.
It is not appropriate to include emotional statements, how your experience compared to others (examination is not competitive), nor impacts such as the need to work remotely, or personal statements on mental or physical health, family, finances, nor the behaviour or availability of supervisors. Examiners are not asked to consider these matters.
While these factors may have had a profound impact on many candidates during the disruptions, there is no concept of ‘special consideration’ in examination of theses. Challenges to candidature are expected to be managed prior to submission and are not considered by examiners. For example, if access to supervisors was a difficulty, alternative arrangements should have been made. Examiners are not asked to make allowance for such factors.
Major changes to the project
If the disruptions led to significant changes to your project, you could address this in a single location.
For example, you might include a section that addresses the impact that the disruptions had on the entire thesis, or on multiple chapters within the thesis in a systematic and explicit way.
The introduction is where candidates lay out the thesis for examiners and so provides an opportunity to present objective statements regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the thesis. If the disruptions meant that different methodologies were pursued in different parts of the thesis, the introduction is a good place to explain why in a cohesive way.
Alternatively, statements can be added to the preface, to provide context to the work as a whole.
A final conclusions chapter is used to summarise the work and outline future research opportunities. If the disruption prevented you from undertaking particular research activities, you can use this section to highlight these gaps in the study and how they might be addressed.
Carefully explaining how the methodology was shaped by the disruption demonstrates your capacity to think beyond the PhD and to adapt to changing conditions. It can show that you are creative, flexible, and exploratory as a problem-solver.
The skills expected of a strong candidate include an ability to formulate a viable research question and to analyse information critically within and across a changing disciplinary environment.
You have the opportunity to demonstrate these attributes, even if the investigative component of the research was impeded. Remember that the core goal is research training, not the achievement of specific research outcomes.
Impact on specific chapters
If the disruptions impacted just one or two chapters of your thesis, they still need to stand alone as quality research.
One option is to explain the original design and how it was revised, either in the chapter introduction or in the section where it best fits in your narrative. It is important to explain to the examiners why you chose that methodology, particularly if it is unusual for your discipline. For example, the disruption may have affected the number or type of interviews that were conducted or have forced a change from experimental work to computational modelling.
Again, writing a focused discussion of the impact of the disruptions on a specific piece of work is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the qualities and skills that an examiner seeks in a strong candidate.
Impact that was not specific
You may wish to note that your thesis was completed during COVID-19 disruptions, even if there was no specific identifiable impact on the scope of the thesis or the project design. The appropriate location for this note is in the acknowledgements section because it is not examined. Remember that although this is the section where you might offer gratitude for family, friends, supervisors, inspirations, and supports; not every examiner will read the acknowledgements.
Editing my thesis
Your thesis must be your own work, and you must clearly understand your role as well as the roles of your supervisors and others throughout the editorial process.
The Graduate Research Training Policy limits the editing of theses by others to that permitted in the current Guidelines for Editing Research Theses .
As editorial intervention (other than by your supervisors) should be restricted to copyediting and proofreading, as covered on page two of the Guidelines for Editing Research Theses , it is important that you understand the types of editing as explained on the Institute of Professional Editors Limited (IPEd) website.
The University does not maintain a list of editors. If you would like help finding a suitable editor, the Institute of Professional Editors Limited (IPEd) has a register of accredited editors.
If your thesis has had the benefit of editorial advice, in any form, you must provide the name of the editor or company providing the service and a brief description of the service rendered, in terms of the Standards, in the preface of your thesis.
Registering my intention to submit
Prior to submission, or prior to your performance or exhibition of a creative component of your thesis, register your intention to submit by logging into the Thesis Examination System (TES). About 2-months prior to your submission is the ideal time for this. Your estimated submission date, or your thesis submission date, must not exceed your maximum submission date, i.e. your expected thesis submission date as listed on the Graduate Research Details page of my.unimelb .
Registering your intention to submit begins the process of the selection of examiners. You will need to provide a brief (80-word) overview of your research question, methods and results which will be sent to potential examiners. If you are submitting a thesis with creative work, include the weighting of the proportion of the written dissertation and creative component/s. You will also be given the opportunity to name up to two people that you consider to be unsuitable examiners, along with substantiated reasons. You are encouraged to create and enter an ORCID .
Preparing to submit your thesis soon? Download our Thesis Submission Checklist to assist you.
More information
Read the FAQs on using the Thesis Examination System
You must be admitted to the relevant graduate research degree in order to submit your thesis. If your candidature is suspended, cancelled or terminated and you wish to submit, you must first apply for reinstatement and readmission . Before applying for readmission you should contact your supervisor or head of department to discuss your thesis. If your supervisor is no longer available please contact the graduate research team for your faculty , or the faculty nearest in discipline to your former department.
Resources and workshops to help you write
- Writing skills
- Publication, open access and copyright
- Library skills for researchers
- Systems and tech tools including - Nvivo, LabArchives, File Management 101, Producing excellent graphs and sessions for a range of reference management software
- Communication skills and presentation skills workshops including - Oral presentations, Working with people and managing complex relationships and Working with a supervisor
- Upcoming workshops offered by Research@Library including digital skills webinars.
- Melbourne talks - a free program for international graduate researchers to the University of Melbourne delivered by the Student Peer Leader Network in partnership with Academic Skills.
- The University’s Library Guides provide a resource of library research support information on research, reading and writing skills
- We recommend you watch the series of eight short videos on Getting Started with Library Research
- The Eastern Resource Centre Library will be regularly updated to include information on when they are hosting structured social writing sessions known as ‘shut up and write’ and library information sessions
- Connect to the Thesis Writers’ Community on LMS. Established by Academic Skills, the Community provides information and support through the writing process for graduate researchers
- You can join GSA’s regular Shut Up & Write sessions and Shut Up & Write-a-Thons
- Book an adviser for individual appointments to help with your thesis
- Your graduate school may have writing groups and they may offer 'boot camps' for an intensive writing effort. GSA also runs regular thesis boot camps .
- You may also find it helpful to look at theses from past candidates in your field. You can use the Browse “Communities and Collections” function in the University's institutional publications repository, Minerva Access to find the “Theses” collection for your faculty or department (use the “+” symbol to expand the list of communities available). You can also use the search function to find theses with relevant keywords.
- Annual graduate research competitions organised by the University such as the Three minute thesis (3MT®) competition and Visualise your thesis competition
Please note: These programs and workshops are subject to change, based on bookings and demand.
- Resources for candidates
- Orientation and induction
- Mapping my degree
- Principles for infrastructure support
- Peer activities
- Change my commencement date
- Meeting expectations
- Working with my supervisors
- Responsible Research & Research Integrity
- Outside institutions list
- Guidelines for external supervisors
- Pre-confirmation
- Confirmation
- At risk of unsatisfactory progress
- Unsatisfactory progress
- Add or drop coursework subjects
- Apply for leave
- Return from leave
- Apply for Study Away
- Return from Study Away
- Change my study rate
- Check my candidature status
- Change my current supervisors
- Request an evidence of enrolment or evidence of qualification statement
- Change my project details
- Change department
- Transfer to another graduate research degree
- Late submission
- Withdraw from my research degree
- Check the status of a request
- Re-enrolment
- Advice on requesting changes
- Extension of candidature
- Lapse candidature
- How to cancel a form in my.unimelb
- Resolving issues
- Taking leave
- About Study Away
- Finishing on time
- Accepting an offer for a joint PhD online
- Tenured Study Spaces (TSS) Usage Guidelines
- Tenured Study Spaces Procedures
- Research skills
- Academic writing and communication skills
- Building professional and academic networks
- Research internships
- Commercialising my research
- Supplementary PhD Programs
- Examples of thesis and chapter formats when including publications
- Thesis with creative works
- Research Integrity in my Thesis
- Graduate researchers and digital assistance tools
- TES Statuses
- Submitting my thesis
- Depositing multiple components for your final thesis record
- The Chancellor's Prize
- TES Graduate Researcher FAQs
- Career planning
- Publishing my research
- Getting support
- Key graduate research contacts
- Melbourne Research Experience Survey
- Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT)
- Current Students
|
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
The Expert Editor is the leading thesis editing service for students in Australia and overseas. As part of our thesis editing service, we have edited numerous honours, master's, doctoral and postdoctoral theses and dissertations. Hundreds of students have used us to produce high-quality theses that are ready for submission.
A Background to Thesis Editing. Thanks to friends, family, supervisors and fellow students, thesis editing has been around as long as postgraduate degrees, but professional thesis editing services are relatively new, especially in Australia.. As a result of intense competition, higher standards and the ever-increasing demands of academic success, postgrad students wanting to progress in ...
Capstone Editing offers the most comprehensive master's & PhD thesis editing services. PhD qualified editors 0% interest options free editing courses. ... Capstone Editing is proud to be the only editing service in Australia to offer an after-pay service to our clients. Access top-quality editing when you need it, and pay for it over time in ...
World-Class, PhD-Qualified Editors. Building on its success as the go-to editing company for many university departments, Elite Editing has become a trusted English-language academic editing service for universities across Australia and around the world. Our editors provide the highest quality academic and thesis editing available.
Why Choose Capstone Editing for Proofreading Your Essay or Thesis? Over the years, we have edited thousands of documents and have become a trusted and reliable editing and proofreading agency in Australia and New Zealand. We also provide an online proofreading service that can be accessed from anywhere in the world.
Academic Editing Services. The Expert Editor is Australia's leading academic editing and proofreading service. We help a diverse range of clients from Australia and overseas, including PhD and Master's students with theses or dissertations, academics seeking publication in journals or books, and postgraduate and undergraduate students with essays.
Professional Thesis Editing and Thesis Proofreading services for students. Our highly skilled thesis editors will professionally edit and proofread your PhD, doctoral, Honours or Masters thesis ... Australia & International callers: 1800 246 558. Call us free of charge using Skype Full name: Elite Editing User name: eliteediting.com.au. About ...
Australia's Leading Editing and Proofreading Company. The Expert Editor is the leading online editing and proofreading company in Australia. We offer a wide range of services at affordable prices. Get Started.
Need to fine-tune and format your thesis? I'm an academic editor, specialising in thesis editing. Over 12 years' experience. Brisbane and beyond. 0411 873 564.
There are clearly defined guidelines for thesis editing in Australia. Accredited editors should adhere to these guidelines, which are called the Guidelines for editing research theses. The guidelines were originally developed by the Deans and Directors of Graduate Studies (DDOGS) collaboratively with the Council of Australian Societies of ...
Thesis Editing Service in Australia. A thesis is inevitably one of the most intimidating and challenging tasks faced by a student in Australia. It moves around an idea or topic that has to be thoroughly investigated. It is important for a student preparing a thesis to invest time delving into books, researching, gathering information, and ...
Capstone Editing is the only academic editing and proofreading company in Australia and New Zealand that is owned and run by academics. This means that we understand the dedication and effort that goes into your essay, research paper or thesis and have the experience required to help you polish and refine your work so it's ready for submission.
Editing Fees. Our editing fees are based on the word count of your document and how soon you would like it returned. Prices are provided in Australian dollars. The fee must be paid at or before time of submission. We accept Mastercard, Visa, PayPal and bank transfer. If the university has agreed to pay the fee we will issue a 30-day invoice.
Transcript Hi, I'm Dr Lisa Lines, from Capstone Editing. If you're watching this video, chances are you are nearing the end of writing up your thesis, and you're beginning to look at your options for professional academic editing. Having your thesis professionally edited is an extremely important part of finalising your thesis,…
4 Key considerations for a student when choosing an editor: 4.1 Efficacy of the editor. 4.2 Specifics of the service and the editor. 4.3 Affordability. 4.4 Turnaround time. 5 A closing note. A student should approach the search for a thesis editor as a consumer. Professional thesis editing outlined.
Academic and Thesis Editing. Call Us: +61.409258714. Address. PO Box 24315 . Melbourne VIC 3001 . AUSTRALIA +61.409258714. www.academicandthesisediting.com. Do you require an editor for academic or thesis editing? The editor has worked as a university lecturer in Australia and Asia,
Search Google for "thesis editing Australia" and the top 5-6 service providers will appear on the first page. It's critical to do your research and examine each company's website as no two companies are exactly alike in their affordability or level of service. ... Thesis editing is a time consuming process, and it's unrealistic for a ...
scribed to them (D2.2).Revision historyThe first edition of Australian standards for editing practice was devised by the Standards Working Group of the Council of Australian Societies of Editors (CASE), approved by the members of all Australian societies. of editors and ratified by CASE in 2001.CASE was an informal national body that brought ...
A Background to Thesis Editing. Thanks to friends, family, supervisors and fellow students, thesis editing has been around as long as postgraduate degrees, but professional thesis editing services are relatively new, especially in Australia. As a result of intense competition, higher standards and the ever-increasing demands of academic success, postgrad students wanting to progress in ...
The maximum word limit for theses (including footnotes but excluding tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices) are: 100 000 words for a PhD or doctoral thesis. You should aim to write a thesis shorter than the maximum allowed, for example 40 000 for a Masters thesis or 80 000 words for a PhD.
Thesis editing is permissible as long as the editor follows certain guidelines. The Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd) regulates the editing of research theses in Australia, and outlines the appropriate level of intervention by an editor. In short, it limits editor intervention to enhancing language-use and improving expression and ...
United Kingdom. +44 (0) 20 3006 28 86. Leigh-Anne or Kathy will answer your call. Welcome! Get started with your thesis editing now - this is how it works! 1. You SEND us: - Your contact information and document size. - Part or all of your thesis / report / document so we can provide you with a FIRM quote and FREE.
The Expert Editor is Australia's leading editing and proofreading company, providing quality professional editing services at affordable prices. ... The Expert Editor offers unique thesis editing, essay editing and editing for academics services. We have helped students and academics from every Australian university, in addition to many ...
But that thesis hasn't played out as planned. In the past 10 years, the total return of the stock has declined by just over 80%. In the same period, quarterly free cash flow (FCF) has dwindled by ...