Research Guides: *Classics*: Finding Dissertations & Theses

What are dissertations and theses?

A dissertation is a book-length work prepared by a graduate student as a requirement for a doctoral degree (usually a Ph.D.)

A thesis is an in-depth essay prepared by a student as part of the requirements for a master's degree (usually M.A.) or for an undergraduate degree.

American dissertations

Dissertations & Theses
More than 1 million full-text dissertations, and many additional citations to dissertations. If the dissertation you need is not available full-text through this or Dissertations & Theses Global, try requesting it through Interlibrary Loan.
Dissertations & Theses Global
Includes American dissertations.

Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
An international library of open access electronic theses and dissertations.

Dissertations @ Bryn Mawr College
Full text of most, but not all, Bryn Mawr College dissertations published after 1996 (also included in the Dissertations & Theses resource above). Print versions of those not digitized should be in Canaday library; check Tripod.

Dissertations in Bryn Mawr's repository
May include dissertations not yet available through the Proquest database (above). As of 2021, all Bryn Mawr dissertations will be open access within two years of degree. Download of older (non-open access) dissertations possible at Bryn Mawr.

International dissertations

Dissertations & Theses Global
The most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses from around the world, spanning from 1743 to the present day and offering full text for graduate works added since 1997, along with selected full text for works written prior to 1997. It contains a significant amount of new international dissertations and theses both in citations and in full text.

DART-Europe E-theses portal
For searching across digital collections of theses in several different European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Greece. Full text.
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
An international library of open access electronic theses and dissertations.
Open Access Theses and Dissertations
Masters' theses and dissertations from around the world that are available for download.
British Library EThOS Electronic Theses Online Service
Provides free access to theses from participating UK institutions of higher education. Service provided by the British Library.
DiVA
Theses from Swedish universities
Greek Doctoral Dissertations (Εθνικό Αρχείο Διδακτορικών Διατριβών)
TESIUNAM
Full text access to dissertations written at the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
Theses Canada
Some available full-text, but others require borrowing or purchase.
theses.fr
French theses; some available full-text.

Haverford, Swarthmore, and Bryn Mawr Senior Theses

Haverford College Senior Thesis Archive
The library collects senior projects, including musical performances and creative writing as well as critical theses. This link provides catalogs and listings including all senior projects (in both paper and digital form), digital-only theses, prize-winning theses, and the oldest theses (1897-1918). Note that some senior work is available only in paper copies for use in Magill Library.

Haverford Digital Senior Thesis Archive
Students, with advice from faculty, determine the access level for their thesis, music composition, artwork, or other senior capstone project. User choices include open to all, trico, bico, Haverford only or dark archive with access only for department faculty. If you find a thesis that you cannot access, please write Krista Oldham. She will contact the author to ask for permission on your behalf.
Selected Bryn Mawr Senior Theses
A few senior honors theses nominated by faculty advisers.
Swarthmore Digital Senior Thesis Archive
Students, with advice from faculty, determine the access level for their thesis. User choices include open to all, trico, Swarthmore only or dark archive with access for department faculty. If you find a thesis that you cannot access, please contact librarian@swarthmore.edu for assistance.
Swarthmore College Print Senior Thesis Archive
Kept in the McCabe Library Rare Book Room. Use this link to browse all titles from 1891-2002, or search Tripod by title.