University Policy on Dissertations

1. Overview

The dissertation component of taught postgraduate programmes represents a substantial independent research project, typically ranging from 60 to 90 credits of a student's total programme. It provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their research capabilities, critical thinking, and academic writing skills through the investigation of a specific topic within their field of study.

A dissertation is defined as an original piece of academic writing based on independent research, presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a postgraduate taught degree. The dissertation distinguishes itself from other coursework through its scope, depth of analysis, and the degree of autonomy required from the student.

The University recognises the dissertation as a critical component in the development of research skills that may lead to further academic study or professional research careers. Therefore, it is essential that students engage thoroughly with this component and adhere to all policy requirements throughout the dissertation process.

2. Eligibility and Supervision

2.1 Eligibility Requirements

Students are required to successfully complete the taught components of their programme before commencing the dissertation, unless their programme structure specifically allows for concurrent dissertation work. Students must have achieved a minimum average of 50% in the taught components to proceed to the dissertation phase, though some programmes may require higher grade thresholds.

2.2 Supervision Allocation

Upon confirmation of eligibility for the dissertation, students will be allocated an appropriate supervisor based on their research topic and available staff expertise. The allocation process is managed by programme directors and follows University guidelines on equitable distribution of supervision duties.

2.3 Supervisor Responsibilities

Supervisors are expected to provide guidance appropriate to the level of study and the nature of the research project. This includes:

• Assisting in refining the research question and project scope
• Advising on research methodology and theoretical framework
• Providing guidance on the structure and presentation of arguments
• Offering constructive feedback on work submitted
• Monitoring progress against agreed timelines
• Advising on ethical considerations where applicable

2.4 Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for maintaining regular contact with their supervisor, typically comprising a minimum of three formal supervision meetings. Students must demonstrate independent thinking and initiative while remaining responsive to supervisor guidance. They must also ensure their supervisor has access to all drafts of work in progress in sufficient time to provide meaningful feedback.

3. Structure and Format

3.1 Word Count

The maximum word count for dissertations in taught postgraduate programmes is typically 15,000 words, including footnotes but excluding bibliographies, appendices, and any supplementary material. Some programmes may specify different word limits, in which case the programme documentation prevails.

Word count limits are strictly enforced. Exceeding the permitted word count by more than 10% will normally result in a penalty of 5 marks. Significantly falling below the minimum word count (where specified) may also be penalised or result in a categorisation of the dissertation as incomplete.

3.2 Required Elements

All dissertations must include the following elements:

• Title page with student name, programme title, dissertation title, and word count
• Abstract of no more than 500 words summarising the research
• Table of contents
• List of tables, figures, or illustrations (if applicable)
• Main body of text divided appropriately into chapters or sections
• References/bibliography
• Appendices for supplementary material not essential to the main argument

3.3 Formatting Requirements

Dissertations must be presented in a consistent academic format. Departments may specify particular referencing styles (e.g., APA, Harvard, Chicago), and students must adhere strictly to the required citation system. The final dissertation must be submitted in PDF format to ensure consistency across different viewing platforms.

4. Assessment Criteria

Dissertations are assessed against the following criteria, weighted according to the specific requirements of each programme:

4.1 Marking Process

All dissertations are double-marked independently by two internal examiners. Where there is a significant discrepancy in marks (10 points or more on the marking scale), a third internal examiner will be appointed to reconcile the assessment.

4.2 External Examination

A sample of dissertations, selected to represent the full range of marks, will be forwarded to an external examiner for review. The external examiner's comments will be considered by the Board of Examiners when confirming dissertation marks and degree classifications.

4.3 Oral Examination

Oral examinations (vivas) are not standard for taught postgraduate dissertations but may be required in specific circumstances, including when there is a need to clarify student understanding of their work or to verify the authenticity of the research submitted.

5. Submission Process

5.1 Submission Deadlines

Dissertations must be submitted by the published deadline, which is typically early September for full-time students and March for part-time students. The exact submission deadline is communicated at the start of the academic year and will be strictly enforced unless an extension has been properly authorised.

5.2 Extension Requests

Requests for extensions will be considered only in cases of documented exceptional circumstances, such as significant illness or bereavement. All extension requests must be submitted through the formal University procedures with supporting evidence, normally at least one week prior to the submission deadline.

5.3 Electronic Submission

Dissertations must be submitted electronically through the University's designated submission portal. Students must also complete and submit the dissertation declaration form confirming that the work is original, has not been submitted elsewhere, and acknowledges all sources appropriately.

6. Academic Misconduct

6.1 Plagiarism

All dissertations must be the student's own original work, with appropriate acknowledgment of all sources. Plagiarism, defined as the unacknowledged use of another person's work as if it were one's own, constitutes an offence under the University's Academic Misconduct Policy.

6.2 Plagiarism Detection

Submitted dissertations will be processed through plagiarism detection software. The similarity report generated will be used to identify any potential cases of plagiarism for further investigation by the Academic Misconduct Committee.

6.3 Other Forms of Misconduct

Other forms of academic misconduct relevant to dissertations include:

• Falsification or fabrication of data or research results
• Unauthorised collaboration with others
• Reuse of previous work without proper acknowledgment (self-plagiarism)
• Acquisition of dissertation material from commercial essay writing services

6.4 Penalties

Where academic misconduct is proven, penalties range from reduction of marks to outright failure of the dissertation and in severe cases termination of studies. The severity of the penalty will reflect the extent and intent of the misconduct.