Thesis and Dissertation Editing for PhD and Master's Students

Why theses cost less per word

A thesis is long, but it is one document with one argument, one set of terms and one reference style. One editor learns it once and applies that knowledge across every chapter, so we pass the saving on: thesis rates are well below our rates for journal articles, from 3¢/word.

Thesis rates apply to documents of 15,000 words or more. For a shorter document, such as a single chapter or a journal article, use Academic Copyediting.

Which level of editing do you need?

1. Proofreading (3¢/word): spelling, grammar, punctuation and consistency, for a thesis that is already well written.
2. Copyediting (4¢/word): also improves sentence structure, clarity, flow and academic tone. The right choice for most writers whose first language isn’t English.
3. Deep Copyediting + university formatting (5¢/word): copyediting plus formatting to your university’s thesis guidelines: headings, front matter, captions and reference style.

What it costs

For an 80,000-word PhD thesis: $2,400 for proofreading, $3,200 for copyediting, or $4,000 for deep copyediting. For a 20,000-word master’s dissertation: $600, $800 or $1,000.

Count the words you want edited. Most students include the main chapters, abstract and captions, and leave out the reference list and appendices unless they need editing.

Frequently asked questions

How much does thesis editing cost?

3¢/word for proofreading, 4¢/word for copyediting and 5¢/word for deep copyediting with university formatting. An 80,000-word thesis costs $3,200 for copyediting.

Is there a minimum length for thesis rates?

Yes: 15,000 words. Shorter documents are edited at our standard rates.

How long does it take?

Your edited thesis is delivered within 14 days. If you have a fixed submission deadline, tell us when you order.

Is thesis editing allowed by my university?

Most universities allow professional editing for language, style and formatting, but not for content, and some ask you to acknowledge the editor. Check your university’s editing policy and tell your supervisor. Our editors correct the language; they do not rewrite your argument or add content.

Will one editor work on the whole thesis?

Yes. One editor matched to your field edits the whole document, so terminology and style stay consistent from the first chapter to the last.