Academic / B2

dis-uh-TAYSHUN/ˌdɪsəˈteɪʃn/

A dissertation is a long researched essay for a degree: a 10,000-word dissertation; dissertation supervisor. Thesis is often used for a doctorate in the UK, though practice varies. Essay is shorter; paper can be a journal article. Do not call a 1,500-word module essay a dissertation. UK undergraduates often write a final-year dissertation.

Meaning

A long piece of academic writing on a subject, especially for a degree.

Examples

• “Her dissertation examined housing policy in two northern cities.”
• “Her dissertation compared housing waiting lists in two cities.”
• “You cannot change the dissertation title after the faculty deadline without permission.”

Good to know

a BA/BSc dissertation; supervisor / proposal. Doctorate: often thesis. Shorter: essay. Not a weekly assignment.

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