Postgraduate Students

Dissertation

You will undertake a research project and produce a dissertation which is submitted on an assigned date in mid-August.

During the late spring and summer you will write a dissertation, which will be an advanced and original research project.

 You will choose your research topic with the aid of the Programme Director. Many students opt to pursue an interest that previously took shape during one of their taught courses.

The dissertation is your chance to apply your independent research skills and be creative. Our breadth of historical expertise means that we're open to almost any feasible area of interest.

The dissertation is submitted in mid-August, and is worth 60 credits (one-third of the assessment for the degree).

Example dissertation topics

Past dissertation topics have included:

  • How were the Children of James IV raised and educated?
  • 'This bellum horrendum grammaticale': The Controversy over Alexander Adam's 1772 Principles of Latin and English Grammar 
  • The Politics of Marriage: Lady Glenorchy and her Role in Marriage Negotiation