The moment has finally arrived: your PhD thesis is ready to be published! What an achievement!
One of the steps toward publication is the design process, including the cover: the front, spine, and back cover of your thesis. And there’s one thing that must not be missing from the back cover: the ISBN barcode. In this blog, we’ll explain what an ISBN is, why you need one for your thesis, and how to request it.
Do you need an ISBN for your thesis?
Request your ISBN here
What is an ISBN?
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. In short, it’s a 13-digit code that simplifies transactions between booksellers. Every book or thesis has a unique ISBN, which makes it easy to find for bookstores, readers, libraries, and online book retailers. Each number consists of several fixed components:
- EAN code: This European Article Number indicates that it concerns a book. Currently, this is either 978 or 979.
- Country identifier: This part shows the language region. For the Netherlands and Flanders, it’s 978-90 or 978-94.
- Publisher identifier: These digits indicate the publisher of the thesis.
- Title number: A series of up to four digits that identifies a specific title.
- Check digit: A digit calculated to ensure the ISBN is scanned correctly and without errors.
Why do you need an ISBN?
At first glance, an ISBN may seem like nothing more than a long string of numbers found on the back of a book or thesis. But it’s much more than that!
This code contains all the key information about your thesis. Think of it as a block of metadata that makes your thesis easier to find, distribute, and sell. It helps interested readers quickly locate your work, and it also makes it easier for you to discover others’ theses.
If you intend to sell your thesis, an ISBN is even mandatory—without it, bookstores can’t register or sell your publication.
How do you request an ISBN via Ipskamp Printing?
Requesting an ISBN is simple. Fill here the online application form in and you’ll receive your ISBN by email within two working days.
When applying, make sure you know the publication date of your thesis. You’ll also be asked to provide a NUR code.
NUR stands for Nederlandstalige Uniforme Rubrieksindeling (Dutch Uniform Classification) and reflects the subject area of your thesis. You can think of it as a genre label. For example, 922 is the code for biology and 887 for dentistry. You can easily find your NUR code at boek.nl/nur.
How much does an ISBN cost via Ipskamp Printing?
The one-time fee for requesting an ISBN via Proefschriften.nl is €25. We also take care of communication between you and any potential readers:
if someone shows interest in your thesis, we’ll contact you directly so you can send them a copy yourself. Convenient, right?
