Dissertations and Projects
Your dissertation or research project is the culmination of your course, it is an important piece of work which allows you to focus your area of interest. This page will guide you through that process as well as signposting you to the resources and documents you will need.
If you need help choosing a topic, critical thinking or structuring your work, you can use Skills@Library's online resource Dissertations: The Final Chapter, which also includes best practice student case studies.
Write and submit
Exceptional circumstances
If you experience significantly disruptive or unexpected events which are beyond your control and affect your ability to work on your dissertation – please contact the Student Support Team.
More information on what to do if you are experiencing personal difficulties, can be found on our Student Support pages.
Information for Taught Postgraduates
Absenses during dissertation period
Attending meetings
Taught Postgraduate students should attend all arranged Dissertation Supervision meetings. Students should make contact with their supervisor at least once every three weeks.
These meetings will take place face to face by default. A maximum of two meetings can take place online if it is agreed between the supervisor and the student.
Absence from meetings
Supervisors record your attendance at Dissertation Supervision meetings. If you miss a meeting the LUBS Attendance Team will contact you to request an explanation. If you need further support the Team can offer this as required.
Repeated failure to attend supervision meetings could have implications for Student Visa holders.
Recording an absence
If you are unable to attend a supervision meeting, you should take the following actions:
1. Submit an absence request in Minerva using the normal process
2. Inform your Dissertation Supervisor that you cannot attend the meeting.
More information about absence from the University can be found on our Attendance pages.
Risk Assessment for Fieldwork and Research away from Leeds
Off-campus fieldwork
All students should remain in Leeds to complete their dissertation.
Before conducting any off-campus fieldwork you must first complete this health and safety questionnaire.
Risk ratings
The University’s Health and Safety Team will review your answers and assign a risk of low, medium or high.
Low risk - you will be informed by email that no further action is required, and you will be able to conduct your fieldwork as planned.
Medium or high risk - together with your Dissertation Supervisor will be asked by the Health and Safety Team to provide some additional information about the fieldwork. You may be required to complete a Fieldwork Risk Assessment, with guidance from the Health and Safety Team
Please note that a fieldwork questionnaire and/or risk assessment only approve a student to be away from Leeds for the sole purpose of fieldwork and for the specific time period required to conduct it.
Change of Location
By registering on a Masters programme, students agree to remain in Leeds for the full 12-months.
Under exceptional circumstances it may be possible to leave Leeds early. If this applies to you, please contact the Attendance Team at LUBSattendance@leeds.ac.uk for advice. You will be required to complete a change of location form, which must be signed and approved by your Dissertation Supervisor and the LUBS Student Education Service
Forms are only accepted after 11 August - please do not submit a form before this date
International Students
By leaving Leeds early, international students may have their sponsorship withdrawn. Please contact the International Student Advice Team for further information before completing the change of location form.