24 POL1053 Dissertation (11844)
Course Grades Computer
MA dissertations are due for submission by 16:00 on Friday 1st August 2025.
Final marks for the full MA are normally issued in November, showing the marks for each individual module. Students can then ask for feedback on their dissertation. If you feel you cannot complete the dissertation, it is worth considering the option of deferring it to the following year. This may of course have fees implications. Feel free to discuss the option of deferral with the programme chairperson. The process involves completing an I330 or I333 form, depending on when the situation arises.
Dissertations should be no longer than 15,000 words. This is an absolute maximum and students are asked to respect it. A thesis can still be excellent without reaching the word limit. This upper word limit does not include the bibliography, references, footnotes, tables, and figures, abstract, table of contents, and acknowledgements (if any). It does not include the student declaration. You may include additional data (like transcripts, tables, figures, formal proofs, diagrams and so on) in an appendix at the end of your dissertation without affecting the word limit.
Dissertations should use a standard referencing system (i.e. the Harvard referencing system or an acceptable legal referencing system). Please see the link below to the DOLU library guide to the Harvard referencing system. Poor referencing or lack of referencing often has a negative effect students’ grades.
While we do not impose a rigid style guide, your dissertation should include a table of contents, a short abstract, and page numbers. You should submit a WORD document with your name in the title of the file (i.e not simply “dissertation”). It should use single spacing, have clearly numbered chapters, and any tables or figures should be clearly numbered.
On the cover page, please include:
the programme name
your name
your student number
thesis title
word count
year, and
your supervisor’s name.