Students are required to write a 16,000-word research dissertation on a topic of personal interest. Please note that the dissertation topic does not need to be directly related to any of the taught modules.

MA in English and Drama students should submit this form regardless of whether they have selected an alternative dissertation option.

Part-time students in their first year will submit their applications in their second year.

To begin your dissertation application, you will need to draft a proposal that includes a title and a 500-word project description. This is a formative piece of work, meaning it will not be graded but serves as a starting point for your dissertation.

You will then need to seek the approval of your proposal from your preferred supervisor if you wish. You may do this in writing or in person according to the preferences of the supervisor (ask them). After discussion with your supervisor you will (almost certainly) want to improve the proposal with the benefit of their advice.

If you have not yet approached a potential supervisor, please do not worry. Just indicate this on your proposal and we will appoint one for you based on the topic detailed, so please ensure you provide full details of the proposed dissertation.

Your proposal (which is only a preliminary proposal at this stage) should meet the following criteria in order to be accepted:

• Is intellectually viable
• Is achievable within the stipulated time and word limits
• Is feasible given the resources
• Falls within the expertise of members of academic staff

Once you have had your proposal prepared, you can submit this via Tabula.

Please note that your proposal will be evaluated based on the topic and the availability of a potential supervisor. There will be a programme of compulsory dissertation training starting in Week 2.

In term 3 you must submit a Progress Report. The report consists of a Dissertation plan, which must include the following:

• Progress Report form
• title and chapter breakdown
• an abstract of 500 words
• a bibliography

The form and supporting documents must be submitted to your supervisor by the end of Week 2 of Term 3. Your supervisor will then submit these along with a report on your progress. The MA Convenor will review the progress reports, and if there are any concerns, they will reach out to you directly.

After this initial submission, you should meet with your supervisor regularly, based on an agreement made between the two of you. Typically, your supervisor will expect you to submit written work on a regular basis and will provide recommended readings, as well as guidance in structuring your project.

Full Information and guidance on researching, writing and your supervisions can be found in our PGT Handbook:

Modules, Research Methods and Dissertations (warwick.ac.uk)  

Supervision for the MA dissertation occurs during Terms 2 and 3. While you will also be working on essays during this time, it’s crucial to consistently progress on your dissertation and maximize your interactions with your supervisor. Due to faculty research commitments, direct dissertation supervision will conclude at the end of Term 3. By that time, you should have completed much of your research, finalized your structure, and drafted most of your chapters. The writing phase will take place over the summer, with final submission due at the beginning of September.

Students should communicate with their supervisor to determine any planned annual leave during Term 3 and collaborate to create a supervision schedule that accommodates this period.

Please see the PGT Handbook for guidance on submitting your dissertation:

Assessment deadline and submission via TabulaLink opens in a new window

Formatting and word-length policyLink opens in a new window

Below we have included examples of title pages from previous dissertation submissions. All of these submissions achieved a Distinction grade.