Politics Dissertation

A dissertation is intended to enable a student to deepen his or her understanding of a particular area of Politics.  It gives students the opportunity to choose a topic independently, and work with a supervisor to produce a work of academic research of approximately 8,000 words in length.  The dissertation prepares the student for independent research and postgraduate study.

Dissertations can take a wide variety of forms.  Students can opt for an empirical, theoretical, case study, or comparative study approach, among others.  Approaches are agreed between supervisors and students in the early stages of the dissertation process.

Students are encouraged to use their knowledge, experience and ideas from their wider studies outside Politics.  However, in order to be acceptable as part of the Politics major, the dissertation must be deemed to be a Politics and International Relations topic and written in a style appropriate to a piece of academic work in this field.