24 POL1053 Public Policy Dissertation | DCU

24 POL1053 Dissertation (11844)

Course Grades Computer

MA dissertations are due for submission by 16:00 on Friday, 1st August 2025.
Final marks for the full MA are normally issued in November, showing the marks for each module. Students can then ask for feedback on their dissertation. If you feel you cannot complete the dissertation, it is worth considering the option of deferring it to the following year. This may, of course, have fee implications. Feel free to discuss the option of deferral with the programme chairperson. The process involves completing an I330 or I333 form, depending on when the situation arises.

Requirements

The deadline for submission is 18:00 on Friday, 1st August 2025.

The thesis can be uploaded using the link below. No hard copy submission (printed, bound dissertation) is required.

Dissertations should be no longer than 15,000 words. This is an absolute maximum, and students are asked to respect it. A thesis can still be excellent without reaching the word limit. This upper word limit does not include the bibliography, references, footnotes, tables, figures, abstract, table of contents, and acknowledgements (if any). It does not include the student declaration. You may include additional data (like transcripts, tables, figures, formal proofs, diagrams and so on) in an appendix at the end of your dissertation without affecting the word limit.

Dissertations should use a standard referencing system (i.e. the Harvard referencing system or an acceptable legal referencing system). Please see the link below to the DOLU library guide to the Harvard referencing system. Poor referencing or lack of referencing often has a negative effect students’ grades.

While we do not impose a rigid style guide, your dissertation should include a table of contents, a short abstract, and page numbers. You should submit a WORD document with your name in the title of the file (i.e not simply “dissertation”). It should use single spacing, have numbered chapters, and any tables or figures should be numbered.

• On the cover page, please include:
• The programme name
• Your name
• Your student number
• Thesis title
• Word count
• Year, and
• Your supervisor’s name.