Submitting your dissertation is a defining academic moment— the final piece of work that brings together everything you’ve studied, researched, and written. Whether you're an undergraduate preparing your first major research project or a Master's student producing more advanced research outputs, this guide is designed to help you finalise your work with confidence.

A well-prepared dissertation not only demonstrates your knowledge and critical thinking skills but also shows your ability to follow academic conventions. Even minor errors can impact your grade, so using a clear dissertation checklist is essential to ensure your work is complete, consistent, and professionally presented.

This guide includes a detailed Master’s dissertation checklist and an undergraduate dissertation checklist, so you can double-check every element before submission.

Why You Need a Dissertation Submission Checklist

After months of work, it’s natural to feel eager to submit and be done. But rushing the final steps can lead to avoidable mistakes: a missing page number, inconsistent formatting, or a forgotten reference. A checklist helps you move through your final tasks methodically—reducing anxiety and improving your final result. No matter your subject area, this guide is designed to help you polish your dissertation from start to finish.

Checklist for Both Undergraduates and Master’s Students (With Key Differences)

The following checklist is suitable for both undergraduate and Master’s dissertations. While the structure and general expectations remain broadly similar, Master’s students should be aware of the higher standards expected in certain areas:

Depth of Critical Engagement: At Master’s level, literature reviews and discussions should demonstrate a deeper level of critical thinking and a broader engagement with scholarly sources.
Original Contribution: While originality is encouraged at all levels, Master’s dissertations often require a more defined contribution to existing knowledge or research gaps.
Methodological Rigour: Expectations for research design, methodology, and ethical reflection are typically more advanced at Master’s level.
Word Count and Scope: Master’s dissertations are usually longer and more comprehensive, both in research scope and analysis.

If you’re a Master’s student, treat this checklist as a baseline, but be prepared to go beyond it in terms of depth, analysis, and critical insight.

1. Title Page

Your title page is the first impression. It must be clear and professionally formatted.

  • Does your title reflect the focus and content of your research?
  • Have you included your full name, student number, degree title, department, and submission date?
  • Is the layout consistent with your university’s formatting guidelines?

2. Abstract

Though brief, the abstract can help markers quickly understand your contribution.

  • Have you written a concise overview of your aims, methods, findings, and conclusion?
  • Is it within the required word count (usually 150–300 words)?
  • Have you used clear academic language, avoiding unnecessary detail?

3. Table of Contents

This section helps readers navigate your work and should be updated after final edits.

  • Have you listed all chapters, sub-sections, tables, and figures?
  • Are the page numbers accurate and automatically generated?
  • Have you followed formatting rules for headings and spacing?

4. Introduction Chapter

A strong introduction guides the reader and lays the foundation for your argument.

  • Have you clearly defined your research problem and questions?
  • Does the introduction set the context and explain the significance of your topic?
  • Have you provided a short overview of your structure?

5. Literature Review

The literature review chapter builds the academic background for your study and justifies your research focus.

  • Have you identified key debates, trends, and gaps in existing research?
  • Is the review structured logically (thematically, chronologically, or methodologically?
  • Have you demonstrated critical engagement with sources rather than just summarising them?

6. Methodology Chapter

Your methodology shows how your research was conducted and how valid your results are.

  • Have you clearly explained your research design and data collection process?
  • Have you justified your choice of methods and reflected on their limitations?
  • Have you addressed any ethical considerations?

7. Results Chapter

Present your data and overall results honestly and transparently, without over-explaining at this stage.

  • Are your findings presented in a clear and objective way?
  • Have you used visuals (tables, graphs, charts) where appropriate?
  • Have you avoided interpretation or discussion in this section?

8. Discussion Chapter

The discussion chapter should critically examine what your results mean and why they matter.

  • Have you interpreted your results in relation to your research questions?
  • Have you explored the implications, patterns, and anomalies in your findings?
  • Have you related your discussion back to the literature?

9. Conclusion

Your conclusion should leave the reader with a strong understanding of your research value.

  • Have you summarised your key findings clearly?
  • Have you reflected on the contributions and limitations of your research?
  • Have you suggested areas for future study?

10. References/Bibliography

Inaccurate or inconsistent referencing can cost marks and even raise plagiarism concerns.

  • Have you referenced every source used in your work?
  • Have you followed your required citation style (Harvard, APA, MLA, etc.) consistently?
  • Have you double-checked author names, titles, and page numbers?

11. Appendices

Appendices should support your work, not clutter it — only include what’s essential.

  • Have you included supplementary material (e.g. surveys, interview transcripts, raw data)?
  • Is each appendix clearly labelled and referred to in the main text?
  • Have you removed anything unnecessary or irrelevant?

12. Proofreading and Editing

A polished dissertation is the result of thorough revision. Never skip this step!

  • Have you checked for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence clarity?
  • Have you removed repetition and ensured logical flow throughout your chapters?
  • Has someone else read your dissertation (e.g. peer, tutor, or professional editor)?

13. Formatting and Presentation

Professional presentation can make a strong positive impression on your markers.

  • Have you followed your university’s style guide for fonts, spacing, and margins?
  • Are your headings, figures, and tables consistently styled and correctly numbered?
  • Is your work clean, well-organised, and easy to read?

14. Submission Requirements

Different departments and universities have different requirements: be sure to follow them exactly.

  • Have you uploaded or printed your dissertation as required?
  • Have you included any required forms, declarations, or coversheets?
  • Have you triple-checked the submission deadline and format?

Master's Dissertation Checklist Summary

✔️ Accurate title page
✔️ Clear, concise abstract
✔️ Full table of contents
✔️ Strong introduction and research questions
✔️ Comprehensive and critical literature review
✔️ Detailed methodology and ethical considerations
✔️ Clear presentation of results
✔️ Analytical and well-argued discussion
✔️ Conclusive summary and future research
✔️ Precise referencing
✔️ Useful appendices
✔️ Thorough proofreading
✔️ Correct formatting
✔️ Submission completed on time

Undergraduate Dissertation Checklist Summary

✔️ Title page and abstract completed
✔️ Clear introduction and research focus
✔️ Balanced literature review
✔️ Appropriate methods explained
✔️ Data clearly presented
✔️ Discussion connected to research aims
✔️ Final conclusion drawn
✔️ All references included
✔️ Appendices attached where needed
✔️ Full proofreading done
✔️ Formatting and submission checked

Final Thoughts

Your dissertation represents more than just an academic requirement. It's a reflection of your hard work, intellectual growth, and ability to carry out independent research. For undergraduates, it’s a milestone that caps off your degree. For Master’s students, it’s a chance to demonstrate higher-level thinking and contribute meaningfully to your field.

Whichever level you're studying at, approaching your submission with care and a comprehensive checklist can make the difference between a good dissertation and a truly outstanding one.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this checklist for any subject?

Yes, this checklist applies across disciplines. However, some subjects may have specific expectations (e.g. data analysis in science vs. critical argument in humanities), so always check your department’s guidelines too.

How early should I start the final proofreading and checklist process?

Ideally, you should begin reviewing your dissertation at least a week before submission. This gives you enough time to catch errors, make improvements, and reduce stress.

What if I realise I’ve made a mistake after submitting?

Contact your department or supervisor immediately. Some universities may allow a grace period for corrections, but this is not always the case. Double-check everything before submission to avoid this.