warwick dissertation word count

Module Catalogue

Po3a3-30 quantitative dissertation.

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Introductory description

Module aims.

The dissertation allows you to develop a research project independently, with the support of a supervisor(s), and to write a substantial piece of work discussing the results of this research. Whilst this is a self-directed research exercise, you are expected to have regular meetings with your supervisor(s) throughout the year, in order to receive guidance on defining and developing the research topic and on arguing and presenting their thesis. You will be required to analyse secondary quantitative datasets as part of their project. The dissertation aims to enhance skills in quantitative research, critical analysis and argumentation, creative thinking, and academic writing, and to foster the specific intellectual interests and aptitudes of yourself. This set of skills should be regarded as the crowning moment of PAIS&QM students three-year intellectual curriculum and as a key competitive advantage on the job market. The dissertation also provides an excellent training for those of you intending to undertake further academic study beyond the BA. Finally, it enhances your key skills in time management and communication of research results.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

demonstrate intellectual independence and originality by choosing their own subject of study and defining its nature and scope;
demonstrate an understanding of relevant existing research literature in a relevant area and evaluate them critically;
formulate a testable hypothesis or research question and set it in the context of the existing research literature;
show an understanding and awareness of the ethical context of a relevant research area;
recognise the theoretical, practical, and methodological implications and limitations of their research;
demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge and understanding that will equip her/him to proceed to study at a higher level;
demonstrate capacity to independently locate, access and analyse quantitative data;
demonstrate an ability to independently conduct secondary quantitative research;
demonstrate an ability to independently write about and report statistical findings within the context of wider substantive debates within the discipline;
present the results of their own independent research in a clearly written, academically cogently argued, logically structured and properly referenced form;
consolidate communication, information-seeking and intellectual skills;
have the ability to reflect independently on and evaluate their own research project management and performance;
to conduct quantitative research and present the findings in a coherent argument;
independently appreciate the applications of a given theory;
engage independently with quantitative data and related empirical research;
select independently appropriate quantitative variables to respond to a particular research problem;
independently retrieve, evaluate critically and select relevant information to support coherent arguments;
independently demonstrate independence of thought and a degree of originality;
demonstrate familiarity with ethical and practical considerations in the collection of relevant data;
independently undertake an extensive programme of reading and research;
engage in sustained quantitative analysis, interpretation and comparison of a substantial body of data in an independent manner;
independently critically evaluate and comment on quantitative research and recognises its implications and draw justifiable conclusions;
independently demonstrate the ability to design, plan, and carry out a piece of empirical research within a defined period;
independently demonstrate a capacity to work with quantitative data and to situate that research within wider disciplinary debates.

Subject specific skills

Transferable skills, private study description.

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1

Feedback on assessment.

This module is Core for:

Year 3 of UPOA-M162 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Quantitative Methods
Year 4 of UPOA-M167 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Quantitative Methods (with Intercalated Year)

This module is Optional for:

Year 3 of VM14 History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
Year 4 of VM14 History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
Year 3 of UHIA-VM13 Undergraduate History and Politics (with a term in Venice)

This module is Option list A for:

Year 3 of UPOA-ML13 Undergraduate Politics and Sociology
Year 3 of UPOA-M16D Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and German (3 year degree)

This module is Option list C for:

Year 3 of VM11 History and Politics
Year 4 of UHIA-VM12 Undergraduate History and Politics (with Year Abroad)

How Long Is a PhD Thesis?
Doing a PhD

It’s no secret that one of the most challenging aspects of a PhD degree is the volume of work that goes into writing your thesis . So this raises the question, exactly how long is a thesis?

Unfortunately, there’s no one size fits all answer to this question. However, from the analysis of over 100 PhD theses, the average thesis length is between 80,000 and 100,000 words. A further analysis of 1000 PhD thesis shows the average number of pages to be 204 . In reality, the actual word count for each PhD thesis will depend on the specific subject and the university it is being hosted by. This is because universities set their own word length requirements, with most found to be opting for around 100,000.

To find out more about how these word limits differ between universities, how the average word count from STEM thesis differ from non-STEM thesis and a more detailed breakdown from the analysis of over 1000 PhDs, carry on reading the below.

Word Count Differences Between Universities

For any PhD student writing a thesis, they will find that their document will be subject to a word limit set by their university. In nearly all cases, the limit only concerns the maximum number of words and doesn’t place any restrictions on the minimum word limit. The reason for this is that the student will be expected to write their thesis with the aim of clearly explaining their research, and so it is up to the student to determine what he deems appropriate.

Saying this, it is well accepted amongst PhD students and supervisors that the absence of a lower limit doesn’t suggest that a thesis can be ‘light’. Your thesis will focus on several years worth of original research and explore new ideas, theories or concepts. Besides this, your thesis will need to cover a wide range of topics such as your literature review, research methodology, results and conclusion. Therefore, your examiners will expect the length of your thesis to be proportional to convey all this information to a sufficient level.

Selecting a handful of universities at random, they state the following thesis word limits on their website:

University of Edinburgh: 100,000
University of Exeter: 100,000
University of Leister: 80,000
University of Bath: 80,000
University of Warwick: 70,000

The above universities set upper word limits that apply across the board, however, some universities, such as the University of Birmingham and the University of Sheffield, set different word limits for different departments. For example, the University of Sheffield adopts these limits:

Arts & Humanities: 75,000
Medicine, Dentistry & Health: 75,000
Science: 80,000
Social Sciences: 75,000-100,000

Although there’s a range of limit, it’s safe to say that the majority fall within the 80,000 to 100,000 bracket.

Word Count Based on Data from past Theses

A poll of 149 postdocs.

In mid-2019, Dr Eva Lantsoght, a published author, academic blogger and Structural Engineering Professor, conducted a poll which asked postgraduate doctoral students to share the length of their final thesis. 149 PostDoc students responded to the survey, with the majority reporting a length falling within the ‘80,000 – 120,000 words’ bracket as seen below.

DiscoverPhDs_How-long-is-a-PhD-Thesis_Poll

Analysis of 1000 PhD Theses

Over a three-year time period, Dr Ian Brailsford, a then Postgraduate Learning Adviser at the University of Auckland, analysed 1000 doctoral thesis submitted to his university’s library. The PhD theses which formed the basis of his analysis were produced between 2008 to 2017 and showed:

Average number of pages = 204
Median number of pages = 198
Average number of chapters = 7.6

We should note that the above metrics only cover the content falling within the main body of the thesis. This includes the introduction, literature review, methods section, results chapter, discussions and conclusions. All other sections, such as the title page, abstract, table of contents, acknowledgements, bibliography and appendices were omitted from the count.

Although it’s impossible to draw the exact word count from the number of pages alone, by using the universities recommended format of 12pt Times New Roman and 1.5 lines spacing, and assuming 10% of the main body are figures and footnotes, this equates to an average main body of 52,000 words.

STEM vs Non-STEM

As part of Dr Ian Brailsford’s analysis, he also compared the length of STEM doctorate theses to non-STEM theses. He found that STEM theses tended to be shorter. In fact, he found STEM theses to have a medium page length of 159 whilst non-STEM theses had a medium of around 223 pages. This is a 40% increase in average length!

Can You Exceed the Word Count?

Whilst most universities will allow you to go over the word count if you need to, it comes with the caveat that you must have a very strong reason for needing to do so. Besides this, your supervisor will also need to support your request. This is to acknowledge that they have reviewed your situation and agree that exceeding the word limit will be absolutely necessary to avoid detriment unnecessary detriment to your work.

This means that whilst it is possible to submit a thesis over 100,000 words or more, it’s unlikely that your research project will need to.

How Does This Compare to a Masters Dissertation?

The average Masters dissertation length is approximately 20,000 words whilst a thesis is 4 to 5 times this length at approximately 80,000 – 100,000.

The key reason for this difference is because of the level of knowledge they convey. A Master’s dissertation focuses on concluding from existing knowledge whilst a PhD thesis focuses on drawing a conclusion from new knowledge. As a result, the thesis is significantly longer as the new knowledge needs to be well documented so it can be verified, disseminated and used to shape future research.

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How To Reduce Word Count In Your Dissertation, Thesis Or Academics Assignments

(without losing those precious marks).

If you follow some of the advice on this blog, chances are one of your biggest challenges is keeping your academic writing projects within the specified word count limits. It’s a good problem to have (at least compared to having not enough to say), and in this post, I’ll discuss 4 steps to reduce word count without risking losing marks.

how to reduce word count in a dissertation

First things first – write to think.

Before I get started, it’s worth making an important point regarding writing in general. There are essentially two ways to think about the process of writing :

Writing as the outcome of thinking – in other words, you think deeply first, construct your argument, and then simply transfer it to paper by way of writing. You do little revising.
Writing as a form of thinking – in other words, writing helps you flesh out your thinking and develop your arguments. Writing is an iterative process, wherein you might revise numerous times and even rewrite altogether, but this all contributes to a better quality of thinking.

Which side of the fence do you sit on? I’m an avid advocate of the latter perspective and approach – and I’m not alone. Numerous books and journal articles have covered the topic of “writing as thinking”. If the idea interests you, have a look at Henning’s “Finding your way in academic writing.”

In short, putting pen to paper as early as possible (i.e. before you feel “ready”) and then revising as your thoughts develop (as a result of writing) is an excellent way to improve the overall quality of your arguments and academic work. To do this, you cannot constantly fret over word count (at least not while you’re writing). Instead, you need to let the words flow onto paper, and then sort the wheat from the chaff at a later stage. Sure, you need some constraints, but forcing yourself to apply X model within 350 words is going to stifle your flow and limit your depth. Rather let your thoughts flow onto paper, and then trim them down once your thinking is fully fleshed out.

What does this have to do with reducing your word count? It means that word count reduction (particularly, the techniques I’ll cover below) is something you do once you’ve wrapped up your writing, not while you write . Accordingly, all the steps I’ll propose here are to be applied after the fact.

Right, let’s get into it. Follow these 4 steps (in this order) to strategically reduce your word count without losing the “meat” of your assignment/dissertation.

Step 1: Audit for purely descriptive content.

Broadly speaking, content can fall into one of two categories – descriptive or analytical. Simply put, descriptive content eludes to the “what”, whereas analytical content describes the impact and consequence of the event/factor/situation – in other words, the “so what”. The table below highlights some of the differences between the two:

Ideally, you should try to keep your discussion analytical, rather than descriptive ( read more about this here ). There’s always be a need for some descriptive content, but ideally, this should be limited to only that content which forms the foundation for analytical content. Therefore, the first step of word count reduction is to audit for descriptive content which does not lead to analytical content . In other words, content which is purely descriptive, and is not required to get to the “so what?” content.

Read through your dissertation/thesis/assignment and trim out all content that doesn’t make the analytical cut , or doesn’t form a foundation for analysis. This is your first target – be aggressive with your trimming. Descriptive writing is pure fat and will not earn you marks – kill it!

Step 2: Audit for content which does not contribute towards answering your research question(s).

One of the reasons that it’s so important to set unambiguous research questions in your introduction is that this practice allows you to ringfence the focus of your work. In other words, it helps you to narrow the discussion to only that which is most relevant.

That said, as you write, you will invariably produce a fair deal of content that does not contribute towards your research questions . You’ll naturally digress into an interesting but irrelevant discussion about A, B and C – this might be very intellectually satisfying, but it doesn’t contribute to answering your research question. Therefore, this sort of content is your next target. Re-read your document from start to finish through the lens of your research questions or objectives. That which does not in some way contribute to answering the research question(s) or achieving the objective(s) must go .

Step 3: Audit for overly-detailed section summaries.

A good piece of academic writing should always feature summary paragraphs that link the end of one section/chapter to the beginning of the next. They should do this by summarising the key points of the former to the direction and purpose of the latter. For example:

“In this section, the analysis revealed that the key contributors to the issue included A, B and C. Accordingly, these factors will be analysed in the next chapter.”

By stating this link very clearly, you help the reader (marker) to understand your argument (which is, after all, completely new to them), which in turn helps you earn marks. Therefore, these summary sections are important. However, they can become wordy and repetitive, and you should, therefore, audit them.

Make sure that they are summarising only the absolute highlights of your argument and providing a clear, well-justified link to the next section. Don’t restate your entire chapter. The example above is what you should aim for, namely:

Key observations/insights/highlights – followed by
Logical link to next section

If you are extremely over word count, you may even consider removing these sections altogether. After all, it is better to remove summary content than core content. This should, however, be an absolute last resort as doing so can seriously reduce the overall flow of your document and blur the “golden thread” of your argument(s).

Step 4: Audit for wordy, bloated discussion.

This is the easiest of the four steps, and typically what most students look for when trying to reduce word count – but it usually has a comparatively minor impact. Therefore, I’m positioning it as the last step.

Naturally, your dissertation, thesis or assignment document will contain sections which are just plain wordy. This is a result of “writing as thinking” (whether you agree with the approach or not!). Therefore, the last step is to audit for sentences and paragraphs which are just plain wordy and rewrite them more concisely.

Some common trimming opportunities:

Adjectives and adverbs – although these are sometimes necessary when developing your arguments, they are often just bloat contributors. Additionally, they can create an emotive, subjective tone, which is typically not encouraged in academic writing (where objectivity is essential).
The word “that” – oftentimes, a sentence can communicate the same point without the inclusion of the word “that”. Use Word’s find function (Ctrl+F) to search for “that” and check where it can be omitted.
Spaces around mathematical operators – if you’re copying numbers from Excel, chances are there are spaces between mathematical operators which can be removed. For example, p < 0.05 (3 words) can be reduced to p<0.05 (1 word).
Abbreviate/acronymise repetitive phrases/names – if you’re repeatedly referring to a person(s) or organisation(s) that have multi-word names, create acronyms for them and replace all instances with the acronymised version. For example, “Blue Basket Enterprises” (3 words) can be replaced with “BBE” (1 word). Make sure you introduce the acronym early in the document and consider presenting a list of abbreviations. A word of warning – don’t overuse this tactic, as too many acronyms can make it difficult for the reader to understand what’s going on!

Wrapping up.

There you have it – four steps to reduce your word count without losing your core arguments. To recap, you need to:

Audit for descriptive (rather than analytical) content.
Audit for content which doesn’t link to the research question(s)/aim(s).
Audit for overly detailed section summaries.
Audit for general wordiness and bloat.

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The University of Warwick

Global Online MBA

Programme structure.

On your Global Online MBA programme, you will undertake eight required modules, your choice of four electives, and a strategic consulting project or dissertation. Each of the 12 modules should take approximately 100 hours, which typically includes a minimum of 27 hours of structured teaching (live teaching and online learning/support) and the remainder made up of guided online study, independent self-study and assessment preparation.

Your Global Online MBA study programme will feature eight required modules, which are designed to provide you with a solid foundation in management, business, and leadership. In addition to this, we have integrated social and environmental sustainability across required modules, allowing you to address this complex, multidimensional subject from different angles depending on the discipline in which it is contextualised.

These modules are taught online and during your residential weeks. Your required modules will be taught through a combination of bespoke authored text, lectures, seminars, plus group and networking activities.

As well as undertaking eight required modules you will choose four elective modules from a wide choice to customise your MBA and achieve your aims. One of your four elective modules will be a required face-to-face module. You will have a range of face-to-face modules to select from which may be based at our Warwick campus, WBS London, The Shard, or at an international location. A second face-to-face module may be studied at an additional cost. Please note that module availability may vary year-to-year depending on student demand and scheduling constraints.

Face-to-face interaction is an essential element of our programme so you will join us on campus for two residential weeks during the course. These intensive face-to-face periods of study will include the beginning of teaching for one module through lectures, case studies, seminars, group work and assessment briefings; provide an opportunity to network face-to-face with your cohort; and give you the chance to focus on yourself as a leader as well as provide the opportunity for careers and professional development support. Residential weeks typically run in March/April and September in your first year of study.

You will have the choice to undertake either a strategic consulting project or traditional dissertation. The strategic consulting project, which is undertaken in self-selected groups of three, focuses on practice and is based in an employment setting. The dissertation is more academic with a focus on theory, but is still highly relevant in the world of business, demonstrating that you can take multiple perspectives on a business issue and explore your subject thoroughly.

Alongside the MBA’s core backbone of building all-round business acumen, you can choose to specialise your MBA within social and environmental sustainability, entrepreneurship, or healthcare by selecting certain electives and basing your dissertation or strategic consulting project within your chosen area.

You will build an in-depth understanding of leadership by focusing on three complementary areas: leading self, leading others, and leading change.

Develop an in-depth understanding of leadership covering the topics of; leading with confidence and values, leading teams effectively, leading team decision making and leading successful change.

Examine how operations supports the long term competitiveness of an organisation.

Discover how to fulfil the organisational promise, in a manner that is consistent with the overarching strategy. You'll be tackling issues such as the management of capacity and understanding of demand, operations improvement and the management of inventory and queues. The focus is on increasing both the perceived customer value and their experience of the organisation.

This module will introduce you to the key management areas of management accounting and corporate reporting.

This module will introduce you to the key management areas of management accounting and corporate reporting. It will enable you to understand and interpret financial and other corporate information, enter into intelligent discussion with financial partners and to appreciate the bigger picture rather than get lost in the detail.

Gain a grounding in the basic concepts of finance, developing your skills in financial planning and decision-making.

This module will provide you with a good grounding in the basic concepts of finance. It will support you in developing your skills in financial planning and decision-making, including providing the mathematics and statistical tools required to solve financial problems. You will gain an appreciation for decision-making in a complex world with uncertainty and develop an understanding of the implications of sustainability for financial analysis.

Develop an integrated view of innovation and corporate entrepreneurship in different contexts.

This module will introduce you to the main conceptual frameworks that have shaped research and practice on innovation and strategic entrepreneurship. The key themes you will cover are the link between innovation and strategy, innovation and organisational structure and the role of ‘openness’ in successful innovation, enabling you to develop an integrated view of innovation and corporate entrepreneurship in different operating contexts.

Learn the fundamental concepts and theories of marketing that add value to an organisation, sustain that value, and can be analysed in their application in marketing practice.

Gain a broad understanding of marketing concepts, the role and value of marketing in an organisation, and the core concepts and frameworks that help senior leaders in organisations maintain a focus on their customers in a changing context.

In this module you will explore identifying and understanding customers, analysing marketing situations, identifying threats and opprtunites, developing a marketing strategy and understanding marketing in the context of sustainability.

You will be encouraged to transfer your learnings to your own work environment and context, allowing you to immediatley put theory into practice.

Build and develop analytical skills and undertake critical reflection on behaviour in organisations.

This module will enable you to examine current organisational practices such as motivation and team work. Essential for careers in management and public agencies converent with employment.

You will develop an understanding of the interaction between people and the organisations in which they work, which is key to the development of the analytical, problem-solving, and management skills which are the key focus of the Warwick MBA degree.

Develop critical understandings and insights about strategy and strategic management at the business unit level.

In this module you will be exposed to the theory and practice of strategy analysis and strategy development. You will first cover traditional approaches to strategy, and then take a deep dive into how you can apply these strategic tools. Developing an undestanding of the difference between strategy at the level of the individual business (or business unit) and at the corporate level.

This module will enable you to critically evaluate business strategy and translate this into actionable knowledge.

Develop the skills to successfully manage sustainable energy transitions.

The overall ambition of energy’s role in a sustainable global economy is clear, but the certainty of how to achieve it changes constantly. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing energy transitions. This module explores the challenges managers face in achieving sustainable energy transitions in the context of commercial, political and social factors. You will cover key topics such as the role of governments and international organisations in regulating and supporting energy transitions, the challenges that ‘transition risk’ presents to the incumbent fossil fuel industry, and the business opportunities presented by the growth of low-carbon energy systems and services.

Critically evaluate the distinctive nature of typical challneges facing the delivery of public services globally.

This module will provide you with a solid understanding of the distinctive challenges faced globally in the delivery of public services. Develop strategies and heighten your ability to deploy tools and methods to optimise public service improvement.

Develop an understanding of how macroeconomic and market contexts themselves are determined and change over time.

In this module you will be introduced to a number of basic concepts used by economists and be able to illustrate the use of these concepts in business, and how Economics as a discipline can be used to approach business-related questions. The tools of economic analysis presented in this module will generally provide a basis for other modules offered on the MBA, for example, strategy modules.

By the end of the module, you will have developed a knowledge of the global economy and an understanding of some of the core elements of economic analysis and be able to use them. You will also have an appreciation of the internal economics of a business and the contextual constraint on business decisions and be aware of what business cannot control in its strategy-making. The module will enable you to develop an increased awareness of the effects of public policy on business and understand why business must cope with uncertainty and risk.

Explore the issues involved in putting strategy into practice and develop an understanding of how strategy is implemented at the individual, team and organisational levels.

In this module you will explore how strategies are put into practice and what opportunities and obstacles might be in the way. You will focus exploring the ways processes and tools can enhance strategy implementation. The module will provide the basic analytical concepts, frameworks and methods used in setting long term direction for the firm as well as discuss the difficulties frequently found in implementing strategy.

By the end of the module, you will have developed an integrated approach to business within which one can see not only the overall strategic goal, but also the distinct contributions that different functions and teams make towards this overall goal.

Take a deeper dive into the strategic and operational problems confronting managers within the marketing function and explore managing in markets in the longer term from a wider perspective.

This module supports the Marketing core module and continues to build your experience of the strategic and operational problems confronting managers within the marketing function. You will consider the longer-term issues in the evolution of markets and competition, exploring the ways in which organisations can both sustain their own position(s) and dissolve those of their competitors.

By looking at managing markets in the longer term from a wider perspective, you will develop decision-making skills with a focus on analysis, implementation and managerial implications. You will also evaluate strategic marketing analysis methods and explore the impact of marketing decisions upon the long-term evolution of market structures.

Gain a broad understanding of mergers and acquisitions.

You will develop an understanding of mergers and acquisitions by using a multi-disciplinary approach and exploring the impact of other disciplines/specialisms. Providing you with a richer more rounded view of M&A than would be achieved focusing on a single discipline, typically, finance.

Build on your knowledge of the global economic and business environment, and link this to strategies for management in changing global contexts.

Key questions asked will include: * How do changes in this environment affect the ways in which companies do business and managers manage across borders? *How should firms and individual managers respond (in theory)? *How can they response (in practice)?

You'll discover and use the main theories surrounding the patterns, processes and practices of internationalisation, as well as analytical frameworks that can help to solve international management problems. You'll learn to critically assess the sources of relative national comparative advantage, and how these relate to the competitive advantages of multinational firms.

By the end of the module, you'll be able to recommend an international corporate strategy and an appropriate global organisation structure and be able to develop and manage global innovation networks.

Analyse the strategic context of Human Resource Management to understand why organisations manage in particular ways.

Developing an effective package of HRM strategy, policy and practice depends on the context of the organisation. Grounded in analysis of theory and empirical evidence, you'll be introduced to HRM and Business Strategy, and learn to analyse the strategic context of HRM to understand why organisations manage their people in particular ways.

Gain an introduction to modelling, and the relevance of modelling and analytics for management.

Gain an introduction to modelling, and the relevance of modelling and analytics for management. You will develop a critical consumer perspective as a manager who engages with models and modelers. You will consider a variety of modelling approaches that are commonly used in the business and management environment and will consider the interpretations that can be placed upon the output of the models, and upon the usefulness of these outputs to management.

Learn to make expert use of financial and other information in managerial planning, decision-making and control.

Learn to make expert use of financial and other information in managerial planning, decision-making and control. You'll become familiar with management accounting techniques, although the aim of this module is not to train you to become a management accountant.

By the end of this module you will: * Understand the scope and development of management accounting *Appreciate the need for 'different costs for different purposes' *Apply management accounting techniques and tools in a range of decision-making contexts *Understand the design of advanced accounting control systems and decision-making techniques for manufacturing and service organisations, as well as appreciating the approaches relevant for a range of other types of organisation *Gain an appreciation of recent research to understand how accounting systems function in different contexts *Develop a technical and contextual grasp of management accounting.

This module will introduce you to the idea of change and its significance for organisations.

This module will introduce you to an interdisciplinary, cross-national and historically informed understanding of the idea of change and its significance for contemporary organisations. You will be introduced to multiple perspectives, models and maps for understanding the nature of organisational change and how it is managed.

Gain key insights into entrepreneurs and the firms they create and manage.

Taking this module will help you in developing an entrepreneurial mind set, attitude and skills – the necessary hallmarks of successful value creators. It aims to challenge the way you think about entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship and help you engage more effectively with a world in which entrepreneurship is a key driver of change.

Through this module you will gain a strong overview of the main theories and empirical studies of wellbeing economics.

You will learn about the importance of wellbeing as an economic outcome and as a policy target, as well as ways of measuring wellbeing and its determinants. You will broaden your understanding of what factors determine individual’s subjective experiences and learn how this knowledge can be applied in business, management and policy settings.

This highly practical module will provide you will a toolset for leading sustainability functions.

This module will equip you to assess an organisation’s sustainability maturity and make the business case for improving it. It will enable you to apply core tools in corporate sustainability strategy and contribute to the development of that strategy.

This module will provide you with the skills and tools of modern finance theory.

This module will provide you with the skills and tools of modern finance theory that are necessary to critically evaluate investment, financing, pay-out policy, and risk management decisions from different angles. This will enable you to reach your own conclusions based on all available information.

In addition to your residential weeks, one of your four elective modules will be a required face-to-face module. You may select your face-to-face module from elective modules offered to our Executive MBA students at our Warwick campus (typically taught Wednesday to Saturday) or at WBS London, The Shard (typically taught on a Friday/Saturday every other week or Friday to Monday).

Examples of the kind of modules that may be available are:

Behavioural Sciences for the Manager

Entrepreneurial Finance

Managing Organisational Performance

Leadership & the Art of Judgement

Project Management

Negotiation Theory and Practice.

View further details on our modules at the University of Warwick and WBS London .

Alternatively, you can choose to complete your face-to-face elective module overseas, including five international modules that are offered primarily to our Global Online MBA participants. Examples of these include:

Luxury Industries and Brand Management - Bocconi, Italy
Leading Global Organisations - Dubai
Strategic Cloud Business Innovation and Cyber Risk-managed Value Creation - Michigan Ross, USA
Managing Sustainable Energy Transitions - (international location TBC)
Design Thinking & Service Design - Aalto University, Finland

Module locations and availability may vary depending on student demand and scheduling constraints.

You will have the choice to undertake either a strategic consulting project or traditional dissertation.

The strategic consulting project focuses on practice and is based in an employment setting. You will work as part of a group on the project with 10% of your assessment being based on group work and 90% based on an individual consulting report. This is your opportunity to consolidate everything you have learnt and apply it to a real business. Academically, it tests your ability to apply your learning to real management issues.

Professionally, it may well open the door to your next career move.

If you choose to undertake the dissertation option, although more academic with a focus on theory, it is still highly relevant in the world of business. It will demonstrate that you can assimilate your learning, take multiple perspectives on a business issue and explore your subject thoroughly.

Previous participants have explored:

Equity crowdfunding and its role in future startup and small business finance

Formulating a donor loyalty framework

Implementation of a knowledge management strategy in a business critical group.

You will initially study your eight required modules, which are then followed by elective modules, at least two of which will be in your chosen specialism. You will also undertake your dissertation or strategic consulting project in your chosen specialist area, supervised by an appropriate member of faculty.

On completion, you will gain a letter of acknowledgement from the Dean of Warwick Business School to confirm your success in your chosen specialism.

All specialisms are also available on our Global Online MBA (London).

Social and Environmental Sustainability Specialism

This specialism will enable you to manage an organisation to achieve social and environmental goals as well as financial ones. Whatever sector you work in, from corporates and new ventures to non-profits and the public sector, the modules provide the skills you need to manage sustainably, whether you are a general manager, maintain another functional specialism or take a sustainability-specific role.

The specialism has a particular focus on sustainability transitions, for both organisations and the wider systems (food, clothing, transport and energy) within which they operate.

By choosing the Social and Environmental Sustainability Specialism you will:

Have a toolset for leading a sustainability function, or equally for participating in the organisation’s transition towards sustainability
Advance your skills in creating social and environmental impact across diverse contexts through sustainable innovation and systems transformation
Understand in particular the carbon and energy transition engendered by the climate change challenge, and how to position an organisation within that transition.

Complete at least two of the following modules:

Creating Sustainable Organisations (L, online)
Business & Sustainability (SBS)
Managing Sustainable Energy Transitions (W, international location TBC)

The dissertation or strategic consulting project can relate to any aspect of social and/or environmental sustainability.

Entrepreneurship Specialism

This specialism will enable you to make calculated decisions between seizing opportunities and managing risk. Whether you want to set up your own business or develop your entrepreneurial mindset within a large corporate or an owner managed business, we will equip you with the innovative skills to find creative solutions to day-to-day problems.

By choosing the Entrepreneurship Specialism you will:

Develop your entrepreneurial mindset, attitude and skills to enable creative problem-solving in business
Understand the main conceptual frameworks that have shaped research and practice on innovation and creativity
Review the financial, control and investment opportunities faced by rapidly growing companies in entrepreneurial settings.

Complete both of the following modules:

Entrepreneurial Finance (SF, W)
Entrepreneurship & New Venture Creation (WL, online)

If you choose to take the Entrepreneurship specialism as part of your MBA, the dissertation or strategic consulting project will give you the opportunity to dive deeply into a new business idea, tackle an existing issue or use the opportunity to help launch your own venture.

Healthcare Specialism

This specialism will appeal to both clinical and healthcare management professionals across the healthcare sector, who are looking to develop both their general leadership capabilities, and their sector-specific understanding.

Whether you’re a clinician on the frontline under increasing pressure to deliver effective results for patients, or a manager required to deliver efficient services under tight budgetary pressures, the modules can give you the skills and confidence you need to take on a healthcare leadership role.

By choosing the Healthcare Specialism you will:

Deepen your knowledge of theories around health systems and apply critical thinking to strategic issues related to health organisations
Build your leadership capabilities within the healthcare industry to implement change management initiatives
Broaden your understanding of the growth in digital innovation in healthcare and consider key factors impacting on digital healthcare solutions.
Global Challenges for the Public Sector (W, online)
Improving Health Systems (L)
Strategic Leadership for the Healthcare Industry (L)

The modules listed in this section for each specialism are elective modules that are part of specialism requirements.

Key L - delivered at WBS London SF - delivered in San Francisco, California, USA W - delivered at Warwick campus WL - delivered at both Warwick and WBS London SBS - UBC Sauder School of Business, Vancouver, BC Canada

Please note that these modules are illustrative and subject to change.

How we teach

Our cutting edge technology will ensure you feel fully connected and that you never miss anything, regardless of your schedule. Teaching primarily takes place via our bespoke online learning environment my.wbs, which houses our teaching materials, interactive spaces and our online classroom: wbsLive. Easy to use, my.wbs enables interaction in lectures, discussions and syndicate groups. It also allows you to test yourself, to access lessons and lecture recordings, submit assignments and to connect with other students and academics.

Face-to-face module - In addition to the residential weeks, the programme includes one required face-to-face module which is included in your tuition fees. You may have the option to take further modules face-to-face at an additional cost
Teaching team - Each module has a teaching team of subject specialists to support you online. They will facilitate wbsLive sessions, moderate online discussions and make sure you are up-to-date with subject-relevant topical information
Study materials - You will receive tailor-made multimedia study materials with additional reading and resources. You will also have timetable live webinars throughout each module. You’ll also be able to access video interviews featuring our faculty and inspirational business leaders
Exclusive online business insights - Our interactive study materials are supplemented by free online access to business and management journals and the extensive University of Warwick library which includes business databases such as Mintel, Amadeus and Statista.

Learning facilities

Our online learning environment lets you take control of your learning, access webinars, participate in group work and communicate with your lecturers and Programme team.

For each module, there is a dedicated welcome page with a text introduction and welcome video from the module leader providing you with an overview of which topics will be covered.

Every module consists of five live sessions, some of which will be taught through SmartStage®, our immersive online learning environment . You'll also access nine lessons in your own time, which are delivered through a mixture of text, video, screencasts (audio over slideshow), activities, webinars and assessments. You can even test yourself with multiple choice quizzes and receive immediate feedback to keep your learning on track. You will also work with your group online. Additionally, for most modules, you will have access to the core textbook online ( you will be given an ebook to be accessed via your digital bookshelf). Much of the online content is downloadable and can be viewed whilst travelling.

my.wbs is built to be compatible with a wide range of types and size of device, all you will need is an internet connection and up-to-date browser versions to access learning materials. For the best experience our recommended computer specification is shown at https://warwick.ac.uk/compspec . my.wbs works well on any modern iOS or Android device.

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GETTING STARTED
Introduction
FUNDAMENTALS

Getting to the main article

Choosing your route

Setting research questions/ hypotheses

Assessment point

Building the theoretical case

Setting your research strategy

Data collection

Data analysis

CONSIDERATION ONE

Word count issues.

Most students run out of words when writing up. At the start of the process, especially if you're an undergraduate doing a dissertation for the first time, 10,000, 12,000, or 15,000 words (and up) sound like a lot, but they soon get eaten up. Worst still, they get eaten up in the wrong places, so you have a lop-sided dissertation, with some chapters receiving more focus than they should, whilst others are relatively neglected. Your dissertation guidelines might provide some instructions or recommendations on word count per chapter, but this is not always the case. Since you're likely to run out of words at some point during the writing up process, we'd recommend the following:

Always leave extra words for your Results chapter. This chapter can be concisely written, especially when you know how to summarize data well and make good use of Appendices . However, more often than not, too much is included and it becomes excessively large. The problem is that you can suddenly find the Results chapter becoming 1,000 to 2,000 words too long (sometimes more), and it's very hard to either shorten the chapter or reduce the word count in other chapters. Leaving a little extra in terms of word count for this chapter is advisable, but when it comes down to it, knowing how to write up the Results chapter properly is important and will help you get this right first time.

Don't waste words on peripheral sections within chapters. Every chapter has a number of sections that are useful, and often have to be included to some extent, but (a) can eat into your word count and (b) won't give you lots of extra marks by themselves. Obvious examples include the Chapter Summaries section within the Introduction chapter, as well as necessary components such as Acknowledgements . In the case of Acknowledgements , this is sometimes even included in your word count, despite having no influence on the mark you are awarded, even though you would be expected to include it.

Don't waste words (a) waffling or (b) going off-point in your Literature Review , Research Strategy and Results chapters. Now there is a difference between waffling and going off-point:

Going off-point When writing a dissertation as a student, as opposed to a conference paper or journal as an academic, you have to provide a lot more explanation of possible choices you could have made, rather than simply justifying the choices you made. For example, in the Research Strategy chapter, you'll often be expected to explain the differences between research designs, research methods or sampling strategies that could have been used. This is sometimes the result of a marker needing to know that you have read up about the available options and can demonstrate this by briefly summarising these different components of research strategy. This is what we mean by going off-point , and it can be a real word hog, eating into your available word count. You need to try and avoid this by keeping these sections short, but also focusing on justifications (i.e., why you are using one research method or sampling strategy over another), which when written well, demonstrate your understanding of different components of research strategy, without having to waste words explaining each component in turn.

Waffling Ignoring waffling that comes from laziness - we know this happens! - waffling is often a problem of the Literature Review and Results chapters. Waffling is simply similar to dumping everything you know on the page, which can happen when (a) you don't know the material very well or (b) you're struggling to gauge which content is important and which can be left out, something that is a real challenge for the first-time dissertation student. As a result, you add too much content. This happens a lot in the Literature Review chapter because it is hard to be selective and critical, and in the Results chapter when you don't know (a) what analysis should be included, (b) what can be omitted entirely, and (c) what can be removed and put into the Appendix . In these chapters within the Route #1: Chapter-by-Chapter section of Lærd Dissertation, we help you to avoid this kind of waffling, which not only saves words, but makes your argument much more coherent.

Finally, there can be an obsession with word count when doing marked work. You're doing an essay of 1,500 words or 3,000 words, and you try to use every single word available. This can make sense when you have a small word count and lots of worthwhile things to say in such a small space. However, when taking on a much larger document (i.e., 10,000 words or more), it is not only important what is being said, but also what you leave out. Rather than thinking too hard about word count, focus on making sure that everything being said is worthwhile. All chapters, but especially your Literature Review and Results chapter can lose a lot of quality simply because of three or four unnecessary paragraphs that disrupt the flow and logic of your arguments and results. Despite the added word count of dissertations compared with essays, less can be more.

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9. Dissertation Proposal Template
10.Five Pre-written Full Dissertation Papers

Dissertation Word Count Breakdown

Dissertation Word Count and Breakdown– How To Follow The Assigned Word Limit Easily? Underwriting or overwriting; are two of the most common errors that students make while composing their dissertations. That is why it is important to know from the beginning how much the dissertation word count of each of the chapters should be. After […]

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Dissertation Word Count and Breakdown– How To Follow The Assigned Word Limit Easily?

Underwriting or overwriting; are two of the most common errors that students make while composing their dissertations..

That is why it is important to know from the beginning how much the dissertation word count of each of the chapters should be. After you have the details of the word count of each of the sections, you can then design your schedule accordingly.

The dissertation word limit is allotted by the university where you study and the Master’s Dissertation word count may vary from the undergraduate dissertation word count or the Ph.D. dissertation word count.

Mostly the dissertation word length is between 10,000 words to 15,000 words but some may even go up to the level of 30,000 words.

Place your dissertation order now and avail 30% discount this is a limited-time offer

But despite the total dissertation word count allotted, the main problem begins when students have to break down that word ratio into the headings of the dissertation . Here they make the common error of writing more words for a section that can be explained in less count and less count for a section that deserves more words.

So what is the solution to that problem?

Well, there are many online dissertation word count breakdown calculator websites available that can help you in that aspect. One advantage that they have is that they give an option to select degree level and word count is given accordingly.

However, a disadvantage that they serve is that not all of those calculators may be accurate.

So what to do now?

Navigating the complexity of dissertation word count.

If you’re wrestling with the intricacies of managing your dissertation word count, you’re not alone. Online tools and calculators, such as our dissertation word count breakdown calculator, aim to simplify this process. However, the accuracy of these tools can vary, underscoring the importance of choosing a reliable platform.

Choosing Accuracy for Your Dissertation Word Count

When exploring solutions for your dissertation word count, it’s essential to prioritize accuracy. Our online calculator stands out by allowing you to select your degree level, offering a tailored and more precise estimation of your word count.

Understanding the Dissertation Word Count Breakdown

For a more detailed breakdown based on a 10,000-word limit, let’s delve deeper into the word count allocation for each section of your dissertation:

Introduction (10% – 1000 words):

The introduction lays the groundwork for your dissertation, addressing the ‘whys’ behind your research. Dedicate 10% of your word count, equivalent to 1000 words, to this crucial section.

Literature Review (25% – 2500 words):

Analyzing past issues, the literature review is a substantial component, constituting 25% of your total word count, translating to 2500 words.

Methodology (15-20% – 1500 to 2000 words):

Answering the ‘how’ of your research, the methodology section encompasses 15-20% of your word count, ranging from 1500 to 2000 words.

Data Presentation (15% – 1500 words):

Presenting collected data, this section occupies 15% of your word count, totaling 1500 words.

Discussion, Analysis, And Data Interpretation (15-20% – 1500 to 2000 words):

Offering insights into your findings, this segment covers 15-20% of your word count, spanning from 1500 to 2000 words.

Summary, Conclusion, And Recommendations (15% – 1500 words):

Concluding your dissertation, this final section constitutes 15% of your entire dissertation or 1500 words.

Strategizing Your Dissertation Word Count

By adhering to the prescribed word count percentages for each section, you can efficiently manage your dissertation. This structured approach ensures that you allocate the appropriate word count to each vital component, facilitating a well-organized and coherent dissertation.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re ready to streamline your dissertation word count management, consider using our dissertation word count breakdown calculator. For personalized assistance, feel free to reach out to our expert team . We’re here to help you navigate the challenges of dissertation writing and ensure your success. Don’t let the word count complexities hold you back—empower your dissertation journey today!

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