Top tips for writing your postgraduate dissertation

Whether you are doing a taught Masters or a doctorate, the Institute of Academic Development (IAD) is here with courses, tips, and training to help you minimize stress and sail into your summer research with confidence.

Getting started

Students in the library

Planning

You know what planning and drafting methods work best for you - but be open to trying new approaches. This step by step planner has useful prompts to help you plan and manage your time:

Expectations and assessment

Before you start, it’s important to know what your assessors expect. Researchers can sometimes plagiarise without intending to do so - use these resources to help understand and practice good academic conduct:

Writing and researching

Researching

Starting your research can be a challenge - but a proper plan and clear priorities can help you transition from preparation to the writing process.

Drafting

Use these resources to improve your English and writing skills, and be sure to check out the IAD A-Z course list for workshops on beating writers block, managing bibliographies, writing abstracts, and much more.