Module SXL-4600:
Dissertation
Dissertation 2026-27
SXL-4600
2026-27
School Of History, Law And Social Sciences
60 credits
Module Organiser:
Daniel Weston
Overview
An academic dissertation and the research skills involved in its completion is a key step in a master's programme, and the skills acquired are highly transferable across professional careers from advanced critical and original thinking, clear communication in writing and research gathering and marshalling an argument with evidence. This module consists of researching and writing a dissertation project in the field of Law. The Dissertation will be 12,500-15,000 words in length. The dissertation topic will be confirmed by the module lead for the dissertation after working on it with guidance in the Legal Research Methods module, and developed alongisde a supervisor.
Students will be expected to clearly understand the literature in their chosen field of study (primary and secondary sources). Appropriate methods and understanding of research questions will be applied, for example doctrinal or comparative methodology. In the atypical event that the project involves empirical research, then familiarity with techniques of data collection and analysis will be expected.
This module consists of researching and writing a dissertation project in the field of Law. The Dissertation will be 12,500 to 15,000 words in length. The dissertation topic will be confirmed by the module lead for the dissertation after working on it with guidance in the Legal Research Methods module and developed alongside a supervisor.
Students will be expected to clearly understand the literature in their chosen field of study (primary and secondary sources). Appropriate methods and understanding of research questions will be applied, for example doctrinal or comparative methodology. In the atypical event that the project involves empirical research, then familiarity with techniques of data collection and analysis will be expected.
Assessment Strategy
The standard law PGT marking criteria applies:
-threshold -C- to C+ (50-59%)· Demonstrate knowledge of key areas/principles.· Have some, if only limited, evidence of background study.· Be focussed on the question with only some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure.· Attempt to present relevant and logical arguments.· Not contain a large number of factual errors.· Describe major links between topics.· Attempt to analyse and/or explain problems.· Be free of major weaknesses in presentation and accuracy. -good -B- to B+ (60-69%)· Demonstrate strong knowledge and understanding of most of the subject area.· Demonstrate evidence of background study.· Be well structured and focused.· Contain coherently presented arguments.· Be mostly free of factual errors.· Include some elements of original interpretation.· Describe well known links between topics.· Analyse and/or explain problems using existing methods/approaches.· Be presented to high standards with accurate communication. -excellent -A- to A* (70%+)· Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and detailed understanding of the subject area.· Demonstrate extensive background study.· Be well structured and highly focused.· Contain logically presented and defended arguments.· Be free of factual/computational errors.· Include significant elements of original interpretation.· Demonstrate an ability to identify, develop and present new links between topics.· Include new approaches to analysing and/or explaining a problem.· Be presented to very high standards with very accurate communication.
Learning Outcomes
- Communicate the findings of a substantial legal research project clearly and persuasively in Welsh or English, organising arguments coherently and using terminology accurately and consistently.
- Critically appraise law, policy, and related doctrines in the chosen area of study, providing original analysis, evaluation, and proposals for reform suitable for a postgraduate dissertation.
- Design and apply an appropriate research methodology to explore the dissertation hypothesis, as relevant to the chosen area of study.
- Formulate incisive research questions that logically develop and interrogate the dissertation hypothesis.
- Investigate the chosen area of study in depth, synthesising and appraising relevant primary and secondary literature with rigorous referencing.
Assessment method
Dissertation
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Dissertation
Weighting
75%
Due date
30-09-2022
Assessment method
Individual Presentation
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Presentation
Weighting
25%