1. Introduction
For those who have successfully completed the Diploma modules, these guidelines provide information on the Masters Dissertation element of the course.  

The Masters Dissertation is based on an independent piece of research, supported by regular contact with the supervising tutor assigned at the Research Proposal stage.  Those opting to continue to the Masters stage should make sure that the Module Leader for the Dissertation and/or the Course Leader know that you plan to continue.  A pro-forma will be sent to you by email from the administrator and this should be completed and returned indicating your intention to continue. If the pro-forma is NOT returned, we will presume that you do not intend to continue to the Masters stage of the course. You should also make contact with your supervising tutor regularly - see notes below.

Most students who continue to Masters will follow the plan which they developed within the Research Proposal component in the Diploma stage. Section 2 below indicates the link between the Masters Dissertation and the Research Proposal.  However, you should make sure that you take on board any feedback and guidance provided by your tutor at the proposal stage - most Masters students find they have to refine their proposal prior to embarking on the research itself.

On英语论文网 【http://www.51lunwen.org】e practical point to make - by completing a research proposal you have already begun the research.  This should make it easier to move straight into the Dissertation phase. You will find it useful to keep an electronic working copy of the proposal to hand as you move into the research phase - add notes on the specifics of the methods as you develop them; add further detail on the research issues and literature as you read further into the subject. This helps you keep track of decisions you make (it's easy to forget the detail over time) and you will find that you are beginning to prepare useful material for the Dissertation as you go!

Guidelines for the preparation of the Dissertation itself are given in Section 3.

2. Programme of study
The Masters Dissertation element of the course is designed to provide a natural extension to the earlier taught elements at the Diploma stage and to enhance job opportunities in a range of contexts related to your course.  These notes are intended to give you some essential basic information relating to the programme of studies, but full details about the preparation of the Dissertation are provided in Section 3.

2.1 Duration of Masters Dissertation
The Dissertation is normally expected to be completed in a minimum of 18 weeks full-time or over 48 weeks part-time, following the completion of the Diploma modules. The deadline for submission is as given in the Academic Calendar: it will also 本文来自：英语论文网 【http://www.51lunwen.org】