Early Stages Dissertation Writing (for International Students)
Series Description: This series is designed to guide international postgraduate-taught students through the early stages of writing their dissertation. The sessions focus on topics which are important to consider when starting to plan your dissertation, such as formulating research questions, thinking about the supervision process, and starting the literature review.
Target Audience: This series is tailored for international postgraduate-taught students from all four colleges, but everyone is welcome to attend.
This series will run in-person in Semester 2 (January-February 2027).
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Class Title | Class Description |
| An Introduction to Doing a Dissertation | This class introduces students to key features and requirements of dissertations as well as their benefits. |
| Writing a Research Proposal | This class looks at the purpose, structure and key content of research proposals, which are often required before beginning a dissertation or other extensive research project. |
| Identifying your Research Gap | This class explores the types of research gap and how to identify the gap for your dissertation. |
| Developing your Research Methods | This class discusses how to select the most appropriate methodology for your dissertation. |
| The Supervision Process | This class outlines core aspects of working with a dissertation supervisor, looking at expectations on the students and supervisors, and how to make the most of these relationships. |
| Starting the Literature Review | This class looks at how to start searching for literature on your research topic, the key features of literature reviews, and ways to find the 'gap' in research that you are contributing to. |
| Using Language in your Dissertation | This class discusses how to make appropriate use of language when writing your dissertation, considering important aspects such as tone and signposting. |
| Planning your Dissertation's Structure | This class discusses how to plan your dissertation's structure to ensure a clear argument. |
