Tips for contacting a thesis supervisor

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When you are emailing a potential thesis supervisor it’s important that your communications are professional – first impressions matter! Your email should be formal, in many ways similar to a job application letter. Below are some tips to help you get off to a good start.

Email etiquette

  • Start with a proper salutation such as “Dear” (not “Hey”)
  • Use the academic’s first name or title and surname (e.g., Lauren or A/Prof. Kark)
  • Conclude your email with a formal sign-off such as “Kind regards” or “Sincerely”

Introduce yourself

  • Provide the academic with an overview about yourself – what you are studying, the research area or topic you are interested in and when you hope to start your thesis
  • Provide a brief statement about why you’re interested in the topic or area and what you think you might bring to the project
  • Remember to show your eligibility and enthusiasm!

Next steps

  • In your email suggest a meeting to further discuss the project
  • Thank the academic for their time and consideration
  • Be patient if you don’t hear from the academic immediately. If there is no reply after a week or two, it may be worth sending a polite follow-up email

UG Thesis FAQs

Visit this section for general information about the Undergraduate Thesis.