Anyone may search the database without registering as a Library reader. If you wish to make a request to view a print copy thesis within the Library, you will need to register for a full reader’s ticket.  If you would like to download a copy of an e-thesis, you must register as a full reader or as an online reader. If you do not wish to register with the National Library of Wales, you may be able to gain access to the complete full-text version of the thesis through the originating institution.  You can gain access to the individual institutional repositories through the links on the main page.

FAQs

 

How can I search Theses Collection Wales?

 

The search interface is keyword-based, and offers four options; Author, Title, Institution and Anywhere. The ‘Anywhere’ search covers all of the fields indexed for the other searches, along with notes and, for e-theses only, the abstract, so if you wish to search by subject, this is the search to use.  Simply select one or more types of search, enter your terms and click the ‘Search’ button. 

For example: To search for theses by candidates with the surname ‘Morgan’ from Bangor University, select ‘Author’ from the first dropdown, and enter ‘Morgan’ in the box beside it. Then select ‘Institution’ from the second dropdown, and enter ‘Bangor’. (N.B. as institutions change names over time, try to use generic rather than specific names to cover the majority of variations). Click the ‘Search’ button to see your results. If you wanted to restrict your results to MPhil theses only you could enter the above with an additional search of ‘Anywhere’ with the term ‘MPhil’.

 

What will I see in my search results?

 

Your search results will consist of up to 1500 records from the collection matching your search criteria. These will initially appear in random order, but you can sort by various criteria including title and publication date using the dropdown menu at the top of the screen.  To view more information about a particular record, click the corresponding record number on the left. Please note that the ‘Request’ button that appears above some records is for on-site requests of printed copies only.

You can select various records from your results and save them to ‘My List’, from where they can be saved to file, printed or emailed for future reference.  To refine your search criteria or perform a new search, simply click the link at the top of the results page.

You may find some erroneous results within the set, e.g. records for archives and irregularities in date sorting. Unfortunately these are due to problems within the data which has been created according to differing standards over a period of many years, and as such is not always consistent.

 

How can I access print only theses?

 

If you wish to make a request to view a print copy thesis within the Library, you will need to register for a full reader’s ticket. On clicking the ‘Request’ button above the record for the thesis you wish to view, the system will ask you to log in using your reader’s ticket details if you have not already done so. You can choose to request material up to seven days in advance of your intended visit to the Library. Once the request process is complete, the item will be delivered to the Reading Room ready for use.  Please note that materials are not available for home loan.

 

How can I view an e-thesis?

 

If you would like to download a copy of an e-thesis, you must first register as a full reader or as an online reader. Once you have logged in using your details, search for the record for the thesis you wish to view. Links to the various documents associated with the thesis will appear beneath the main record details, and clicking on a link will download the document selected.

If you do not wish to register with the National Library of Wales, you may be able to gain access to the complete full-text version of the thesis through the originating institution. A link to the e-theses from the original institution’s repository is available from the item record.

 

Is there another way of gaining access to a thesis?

 

All PhD theses that have been collected by the National Library of Wales from participating institutions will also be harvested by the British Library’s EThOS service.  EThOS aims to provide access to all theses produced by UK higher education. It is possible to search EThOS for PhD theses and either download a full- text copy of an e-thesis, where one is available, or to request for the print copy of a thesis to be digitised. For more information regarding EThOS visit http://ethos.bl.uk.