Taught Masters Modules: Dissertation

Level: MA
Credits: 60

Description

The dissertation tests students’ ability to develop an independent idea or hypothesis, and to see it through to completion. Writing a successful dissertation entails sustained periods of research and deep thinking. The completed piece of writing must be between 12,000 and 15,000 words in length. Ideally the dissertation should be related directly to the programme the student is enrolled on.

Dissertations are worked on over the summer period, from mid-May to mid-September. Students will have at least three formal meetings with their supervisor during this period, and will also receive ongoing support with their research and writing, should they so wish.

All dissertations are informed by theory or have a theoretical basis. However, they need not focus on a purely theoretical issue, and may have a strong empirical component. Indeed, they might be heavily focused on empirical detail, but they should always speak to a theoretical issue and be informed by theoretical concerns.

Students on any Masters programme may undertake a Work Based Learning Dissertation (WBLD) rather than the dissertation option linked directly to their programme. The WBLD is a piece of independent research produced in collaboration with an external organisation.

Research Methods dissertations should contain a discussion of research methods. Note that 35% of the final mark will be accorded to this (though this does not require the student to accord 35% of the total word length to considering research methods).