Dissertation (MA HE)

About the dissertation

The dissertation is taken as the last unit of the MA HE. There are three enrolments per year, in September, January and April.

To register for the dissertation unit (60 M level credits), you must have completed the PG Diploma (120 M level credits) stage of the MA in HE programme. 

The dissertation should focus on an area of higher education academic or professional services policy and or practice. It can be composed of one of three formats:  

  • A traditional research-based dissertation using primary research or a combination of primary and secondary research.
  • A structured and critical examination of a topic/material/issue.
  • A product plus accompanying narration.

Where participants elect to produce a research-based dissertation the work will normally follow the traditional pattern of rationale, conception, literature review, methodological design, data collection, analysis, and synthesis of outcomes.

Where participants are conducting a structured examination of existing data this may take the form of a systematic review of literature, a case study of intervention, an organisational study or a study of an aspect of the curriculum or professional service delivery. 

Where participants elect to produce a product this will be narrated via a written introduction, methodology and bibliography with a brief executive summary. 

These are only examples and participants are encouraged to explore any aspect of their Higher Education practice in a variety of ways. During the Researching Higher Education unit which precedes the dissertation unit, there will be discussions on possible topics and formats. An individual supervisor will be allocated at the start of the 12-month period of registration for the Dissertation.

Non-desk literature-based dissertations are strictly subject to MMU’s Ethics Procedures.

  • Unit Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this unit, participants should be able to:

    • Critically evaluate relevant higher education literature in the context of your research.
    • Apply relevant research paradigms, theoretical frameworks and methodologies in the context of your Higher Education research.
    • Plan, organise and execute an ethical inquiry in a higher educational context illustrating critical analysis and evaluation.
    • Synthesise assumptions, arguments and evidence in developing an organised and coherent research project.

  • Content

    Participants are encouraged and facilitated to form and sustain an informal community of practice with their peers and supervisors during their dissertation year.  We aim to foster and provide peer and tutor support, critical questioning and feedback. Meetings to discuss and present critical feedback on ‘work in progress’ will be arranged to facilitate such interactions.

    Meetings with supervisors occur at intervals as agreed between the participant and supervisor and up to 5 hours of tutor time are allocated.

  • Unit Assessment

    Formative assessment

    • Submission of formal ethical EthOS application and approval if required.
    • Participants are to present their ‘work in progress’ to a group including peers and supervisors, at a defined point during the period of registration.

    Summative assessment

    • Participants will produce an extended piece of work. The formats are flexible as previously described.

How to apply

Do not register for this unit until you have acquired 120 M level PG Diploma credits or their equivalent.

The processing time required for applications and preparation time for participants means that the last registration date cannot be extended.

Delivery dates and registration

Contact us

Contact us

If you have any further questions, please contact unit leader, Eileen Pollard, or our programme administration team, using the contact details below. 

[email protected]
[email protected]