How long is an msc dissertation

The most recent edition can be downloaded here student login required. However, there is quite a lot of flexibility around that number.

Different guidelines apply for a Masters with a practice-led component. But because there are so many types of Masters degrees taught, research, taught with research, by thesis, or practice-led with an exegesis , there is a huge amount of variety in the types of Masters theses. Some are worth 60 points, and might be shorter; some are worth points, and might be longer.

The realistic-but-frustratingly-vague answer is this: you should write a suitable amount, within university restrictions, to clearly and concisely communicate your research findings or, in the case of an exegesis, to clarify the academic value and context of the creative work. Overall, the median length was 91 pages excluding bibliography and appendices , and the median number of chapters was 6.

These are only medians, and the true range of thesis lengths is much wider than these figures might lead you to believe. Any such approving or guiding comments cannot constitute grounds for subsequent appeal. Students should be aware of the particular importance of acknowledging the work of others and of avoiding plagiarism. Printed copies of the dissertation are not required. Students must submit their dissertation electronically ONLY via Learn no later than 4pm on Thursday 12th August , unless you have received confirmation of an alternative deadline from the School.

You should check the Learn site to confirm your deadline and any guidance specific to your programme. You should submit the dissertation to the relevant drop box in Learn. Please ensure that you include your examination number in the name of the document that you upload to Learn. You will need to complete a Declaration of Own Work on Learn before you will be able to access the dissertation drop box, so be sure to allow time for this before the deadline.

Every effort should be made to adhere to deadlines. In the event of late submission, the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures upholds the University's standard penalty for late submission of coursework.

If exceptional circumstances prevent you meeting the deadline, you should apply online for an extension before the deadline. Special permission is required from the Programme Director, in writing, for dissertations that extend beyond the stated word limit. The word count for dissertations does not include the bibliography, cover sheet, abstract if required or appendices; the word count includes: in-text references, tables of contents, quotations, footnotes, list of figures, captions and all other elements of your submitted dissertation.

Word Count. Because the dissertations are marked anonymously, it is essential that you ensure that your name does not appear anywhere in the dissertation. Skip to main content. Search: Search. School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures. It is undertaken with the guidance of a faculty supervisor, and involves an extended period of research and writing.

The content and length vary depending on your field of study — Dissertations are typically longer in theoretical fields, and shorter in practical fields. They are typically comprised of a thorough investigation of a particular topic, based on the application of theoretical knowledge to already-available data texts, documents, artworks or existing data sets.

It is rare for MA dissertations to include extensive data collected by the author, as the focus is primarily on the application of philosophical and theoretical frameworks. The length of MA Dissertations is typically 25,, words, although they may be shorter in some degree programmes where a practical element is also included.

MSc Dissertations are often shorter than MA Dissertations, because they rely more heavily on concrete data that can be conveyed with fewer words. However, the content is just as rigorous in a scholarly sense. MSc Dissertations will often involve some practical field work by students, who are expected to collect data through lab activities.

For MSc students the Dissertation forms part of a larger process of research reports and data collection. MBA Dissertations can take several forms. Traditionally they adhere to a more science-based framework and have more in common with MSc Dissertations than MA Dissertations.

However, universities are increasingly offering MBA students opportunities to pursue alternative forms of research that encompass more qualitative and philosophical approaches, and that address a wider set of learning outcomes. For this reason the length of the MBA Dissertation can vary significantly depending on the particular institution and the line of research the student undertakes. Furthermore, many MBA programmes do not require dissertations at all!

Masters Dissertation requires students to engage with their subject area in a more critical manner than they will have done at the undergraduate level. At this level they will be expected to develop a critical analysis that goes beyond the synthesised reviews typically offered in undergraduate studies. In particular, Masters students are expected to develop a clear philosophical and methodological framework for their writing, and this enables them to craft a much more targeted and incisive analysis.