How do I submit my MA dissertation and what happens next?
Submission
Two copies of your dissertation must be submitted to the Graduate School Reception Office. We will be open from 9-5pm. Where relevant please also submit any additional materials (cds, dvds, production portfolios etc) for practice-based programmes.
If you are unable to present the dissertation in person, you can submit by post to the address on the contact us page.
However, you are responsible for ensuring that it is delivered securely by the due date. You can also submit your dissertation in advance.
Intention to graduate form
All students need to complete an Intention to graduate form (Word doc, 38.5kB) and submit it to the Graduate School along with your dissertation.
Extensions
Your programme of study officially ends on the day of the dissertation deadline. Requests for dissertation extensions will not be considered unless there are strong grounds and supporting documentation. Requests should be made at least two weeks before the dissertation deadline. Extensions cannot be granted retrospectively.
If you think you need an extension, you must discuss the matter in the first instance with your supervisor/MA Programme Director. You will need to submit an Extension to maximum period of study form (Word doc, 53.5kB) for taught postgraduate programmes.
This form should be signed off by the MA Programme Director and then should be submitted to the Graduate School office, together with any medical evidence or supporting statements, for consideration by the Graduate Education Director. If approved you will receive written confirmation with revised submission deadline. If you are an externally-funded postgraduate student (e.g. funded by AHRC), you must consult the relevant funding body guidelines and seek approval in advance for any extension to your period of study.
Extenuating or mitigating circumstances
You are reminded that if circumstances have occurred in the period prior to submission of your dissertation which have impacted adversely upon you and affected your performance you must declare this as soon as possible so that the circumstances can be considered by the Special Circumstances Committee which meets prior to the School exam board. Report extenuating / mitigating circumstances (Word doc, 36kB).
What happens next?
Your dissertation will be assessed by two internal examiners. It is also sent to an external examiner. Once the marking process is completed and the results have been considered overall, recommendations are then sent to the Faculty Graduate Progress and Exam Board which meets on 15 December. Marks are published thereafter via StudentInfo. You will also receive official notification of the result from the University, and, depending on a successful result, you will be invited to attend a graduation ceremony.
Students who have been granted an extension beyond the maximum period of study should be aware that extensions will also extend the examination process.
Graduation
You will be contacted by the Degree Ceremonies Office about the ceremony.
If you are unable to attend the ceremony, you need to decline the invitation sent to you and the degree can be awarded in absentia; the certificate can be sent to you after the ceremony has taken place.
What are the rules about formatting a research dissertation?
The dissertation must be printed on A4 white bond paper. Dot matrix printers should not be used. Paper up to A3 may be used for maps, plans, diagrams and illustrative material.
The first pages in the dissertation should be single sided and consist of:
Title page
The title, and if appropriate sub-title and volume number, should be at the top of the page, within the margins. The full name of the author should be in the centre of the page. At the bottom centre should be the words "A dissertation submitted to the University of Bristol in accordance with the requirements of the degree of … in the Faculty of … ", with the name of the department and month and year of submission. The word count (text only) should be typed at the bottom right hand side of the page.
Abstract
A summary of the dissertation in no more than 300 words.
Dedication and acknowledgements
Authors' Declaration A signed declaration is required, stating how far the work contained in the dissertation is the candidate’s own work and how far it has been conducted in collaboration with, or with the assistance of, others. An example is given below:
"I declare that the work in this dissertation was carried out in accordance with the Regulations of the University of Bristol. The work is original, except where indicated by special reference in the text, and no part of the dissertation has been submitted for any other academic award. Any views expressed in the dissertation are those of the author.
Table of contents, list of tables and illustrative material
The table of contents must list, with page numbers, all chapters, sections and subsections, the list of references, bibliography, list of abbreviations and appendices. The list of tables and illustrations should follow the table of contents, listing with page numbers the tables, photographs, diagrams etc, in the order in which they appear in the text.
The rest of the dissertation may be single-sided or double-sided. Pages should be numbered consecutively at the bottom centre of the page. The text should be in double or 1.5 line spacing in a font size in the range 10 to 12, with headings no larger than 14. Quotations and footnotes should be in single spacing in a font size in the range 8 to 10. Margins at the binding side should be not less than 40mm, and other margins should be not less than 15mm.
The initial two copies of the dissertation should be presented in a secure, temporary binding, with a glued or spiral spine and not in a ring or spring binder.
Appended computer disks should be in appropriate format, in accordance with current faculty guidelines. There should be a declaration in the dissertation of the programming language used and the size of the file. Appendices may include VHS tapes or DVD, using the British standard. Good quality photocopies and photographs can be used.
What do I have to do to submit my research dissertation for examination?
You should ensure that an Appointment of Research Degree Examiners form has been sent to your Head of Department at least twenty-eight days before submission of your dissertation.
You should submit two softbound copies of your dissertation to the Postgraduate Examinations Office, either in person or by post.
You should keep the Postgraduate Examinations Office informed of any change of address.
How does the examination process work for research dissertations?
Submission
You will need to submit two copies of your dissertation to the Postgraduate Examinations Office.
Examination
Two examiners will have been appointed, at least one being an external and independent examiner and one normally being a member of the academic staff of the University. Neither the internal nor the external examiner will have seen your work prior to the first examination of the dissertation. The examiners will read your dissertation and one of the examiners (normally the internal) will arrange a suitable time and place for the oral examination, giving you at least ten days notice in writing.
Viva or oral examination
You will normally be expected to undergo an oral examination, chaired by the external examiner. You may request formal written feedback from the internal examiner following the examination. If they wish, with the agreement of the student and the head of department, the examiners may arrange for the student’s supervisor or supervisors, or another observer requested by the student, to attend the examination. Supervisors or observers may not contribute to discussion during the oral examination.
The examiners will return the examined dissertation or published work to you at the end of the examination.
Examiners report
The examiners’ will produce a report covering both the content of your dissertation and your performance in the oral examination. The report should enable the Research Degrees Examination Board to assess the scope and significance of your work.
The examiners may make their recommendation known to the you, but they must make it clear that the final decision rests with the Research Degrees Examination Board.
If the dissertation is to be represented with minor corrections, for example relating to typing, spelling, grammar, punctuation or inadvertent omission, examiners should make it clear to you exactly what corrections are required.
You will not receive any official notification at this stage.
Research degrees examinations board
The research degrees examinations board meets on around six occasions per year to consider the recommendations of the examiners and to make awards as appropriate.
Pass list and award
Candidates will be notified of the result of their examination by post, and awards can also be seen on the Student Info website.
Revision or re-examination
Candidates who are required, by the Research Degrees Examination Board, to undertake further work on their dissertations will be informed in writing by the Postgraduate Examinations Office following the examination board at which their examiners' report is considered.
If minor corrections are required, for example relating to typing, spelling, grammar, punctuation or inadvertent omission, examiners should make clear exactly what corrections are required. Candidates will appear on a pass list, and are entitled to attend a Degree Congregation, but should complete the corrections within 28 days of notification. Degree Certificates will be withheld unless written confirmation of the corrections is received.
If substantial errors or omissions are to be corrected, examiners must provide clear and comprehensive written guidance for the candidate, which should be separate from the examiners' report. The length of time permitted for corrections is normally six months from the date of the meeting of the Board at which the decision is made. In exceptional circumstances an extension beyond this period may be granted. The examiner(s) should inform the Board, in writing, of satisfactory completion of these corrections.
If candidates are required to resubmit their work for a full re-examination, examiners must provide clear and comprehensive written guidance for the candidate. The maximum length of time permitted for re-submission is normally twelve months from the date of the meeting of the Board at which the decision is made. In exceptional circumstances an extension beyond this period may be granted. To resubmit, candidates must provide two copies of their revised work to the Postgraduate Examinations Office and pay a resubmission fee. The examiners should undertake a full re-examination, including a viva, and provide a second Examiners' Report Form to the Board.
Conferment
Degree certificates are available after degree ceremonies, currently held in February and July each year.
Appeals
The procedure governing examination appeals is set out in the Examination Regulations. Candidates should note that there is a 21-day time limit for an appeal, which runs from the date of publication of the result. No degree may be conferred while an appeal is outstanding.
What do I have to do to submit a hardbound copy of my thesis for the library?
Within 28 days of the date of your degree being awarded you should submit, to the Postgraduate Examinations Office:
an additional good quality copy of the title page and abstract for British Reports, Translations and Theses
a copy of the contents pages (excluding lists of tables and figures) for British Reports, Translations and Theses
You will also be required to submit a hard bound copy of your dissertation to your department (If it is more convenient, you may also submit this copy to the Postgraduate Examinations Office).
Hardbound copies should be bound in black. The spine width should not exceed 50mm. On the front cover the title of the dissertation should appear in 18 point gold lettering. On the spine should appear your initials and surname, your degree, volume number (if necessary), and the year of submission, all lettered in 18 point gold. This should run from the top of the spine to the bottom, so as to be readable when the volume lies flat with the top cover uppermost. Larger sheets or printed matter should be placed in a pocket inside the back cover or in a separately bound volume.
How do I apply for a Post Doctorate or Early Career Fellowship?
If you are a PhD student or an early career researcher, we welcome the opportunity to support your application for a Post Doctorate or Early Career Fellowship. Schemes we support are:
British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship
Newton International Fellowship
Leverhulme Early Career Researcher
For steps to follow please see External applicants on the Faculty of Arts Research website. Help and advice is available at every stage.
Financial
I am an unfunded postgraduate student - what funds are available to support my postgraduate degree?
Staff at the Student Funding Office can advise you on a range of funding including career development loans and access to learning funds.
For postgraduate funding options please see financial aid.
Research funding databases
The Careers Service has a research funding package “Funder Finder” that is accessible from the computers in the Careers Service (11 Priory Road, Bristol, BS8 1TU). Students should set aside about an hour to go through the package.
For general financial advice please see the Student Funding website.
For postgraduate funding options please see financial aid.
How can I claim conference expenses back as a postgraduate?
Many conferences offers postgraduate bursaries to enable postgraduate to attend. These bursaries are typically only available to speaking delegates, and are often awarded on a competitive basis.
Learned Societies occasionally provide bursaries for their postgraduate members to attend conference in a relevant field. Your supervisor may be able to suggest relevant learned societies.
If you are a full-time AHRC funded doctoral student or research-based MA or MPhil student you may apply to the AHRC for the costs of attending one conference abroad in order to give a paper. The AHRC does not provide support towards the costs of attending a conference in the UK. Contact the AHRC for more information or consult your Guide for Award Holders.
The Alumni Foundation awards grants to assist registered postgraduate students with the costs involved in travelling to conferences where they will be presenting their research findings. The maximum that one individual can receive during their time at Bristol is £400. Further information and an application form are available online at the Alumni Foundation.
What part-time work is available for postgraduate students?
Employment
The UK research councils recommend that funded full-time postgraduate students should work no more six hours per week of paid employment, and this limit is usually a stipulation of postgraduate funding agreements. The University of Bristol also recommends that full time postgraduate students should work no more than six per week. In practice it is important that employment does not adversely affect the progression of your postgraduate degree, although the university recognises that many postgraduates have to take on paid employment to support themselves.
Employment advice for international students is available from the International Office.
University JobShop
JobShop is a section of the Careers Service dedicated to providing part-time and vacation job opportunities for students at the University of Bristol. All vacancies which are received from employers are advertised on the Careers Service online jobs pages. JobShop also provides online information in relation to working while studying
University of Bristol Internship scheme
A University of Bristol Internship is a job for Bristol students during the academic year or the summer months in any department within the University. A student may work in a specific role or may be given a project to manage and will be offered practical training if needed. Internships will often relate very closely to the student's academic and career goals, and may serve as a precursor to professional employment. Further information is available from the Careers Service website.
What training exists to help postgraduate students teach?
Teaching and learning in higher education programme for postgraduates
The Graduate School of Education provides a programme for Postgraduate Students within the University of Bristol who have official duties in regard to any aspect of teaching, learning or assessment. The course is designed to support you within your teaching role(s) and help you to acquire the knowledge and skills to establish yourself as a confident and effective teacher. Through the programme, you will be able to begin the route to becoming a fully qualified teacher in Higher Education, which will support future applications for contract research and lecturing posts.
