You cannot change the body of a thesis once it has been submitted.
A byline is a short phrase or sentence that indicates the name or number of an article or the essay's author. Thesis bylines usually include only an author's identification number but could also include the name or a combination of both. Changing the byline on a master's thesis can be done easily through a word processing program if you want to alter it before submitting. Changing the byline after you have handed the paper in might be more difficult due to internal educational guidelines and rules. But because the byline is used to identify a thesis author, most universities should be willing to change the information to help the grading process run more smoothly and avoid mistaken identity.
Instructions
Before Handing in the Paper
1. Open your PC's word processing program, and load your thesis document. Scroll down until you find where your byline is located -- bylines are commonly written on the first and front page of the document, often underneath the thesis title.
2. Change the current byline by deleting any incorrect or unnecessary information and replace it with the correct name or identification number.
3. Double check the byline, and confirm that it is accurate. Ensure that it meets the standards of the university or educational body. For example, you may need to write "Name" or "Student Number" before your full byline. Check your thesis guidelines, or contact your personal tutor if you are unsure. Make sure the byline has been changed by saving the document.
After Submission
4. Write down or memorize what changes need to be made to the byline. You may be required to hand in a copy of the new byline for a tutor or administrator to change themselves due to any suspicions of cheating.
5. Consult your thesis guidelines, and check what the advice is for changing the byline of your paper after you have handed it in. Some universities may let you email or phone the department to inform them of the changes, which they can do internally -- others might require you to visit the department in person and go through the changes with an official. As long as you are not changing the main body of the thesis (the content), you should not be accused of cheating.
6. Contact your personal tutor if the essay guidelines cannot help. Your tutor should be capable of at least answering your question and might even be able to change the byline for you personally. If you do not have a personal tutor, get in touch with one of your seminar tutors or lecturers -- committee members can also help point you in the right direction. As a last resort, contact the department receptionist for help and advice.
