Writing a First-Class Dissertation: An Introduction to the Series

Many law schools require students to complete a supervised or fully independent research project in their final year, often referred to as a dissertation.

This is designed to test your ability to research, solve problems, think critically and analyse complex issues. It also assesses essential soft skills such as prioritising tasks, planning effectively and managing your time while working on a long project.

This five-part series is intended to guide you through the process of writing and presenting a high-quality dissertation. I will share the strategies that helped me achieve first-class marks in both my undergraduate and Masters dissertations. I have organised these strategies into four stages: planning, research, writing and final preparation. In this first part, I explain what a dissertation is, how it is structured and how to choose a topic.

A dissertation is a substantial research project that lasts between four and six months depending on whether you are completing an LLB or LLM. Word counts vary between institutions, but most undergraduate dissertations fall between 2,000 and 12,000 words, while Masters dissertations range between 10,000 and 15,000 words. These lengths indicate the level of depth and coverage expected.

When approached properly, the dissertation becomes more than an academic requirement. It is an opportunity to explore an area of law in meaningful detail and to develop your analytical skills.

Choosing a topicIn my experience, choosing a topic was the most challenging part of the entire process, particularly during my undergraduate degree. You will have studied many areas of law from your first year to your final year, and it can be difficult to sift through them and identify a topic that genuinely interests you.

Choose an area of law that interests you.

This advice is repeated often, but it is essential. Your level of interest will determine the pace at which you work and the effort you put into researching and writing. You do not want to spend months on a topic that fails to motivate you. Begin by reading widely. Look at current legal developments, emerging areas of law and recent case law. Create a list of the subjects you enjoyed throughout your degree. You can also include areas you have not formally studied but find intriguing. From this list, write down potential topics or issues that you might explore. This will help you identify the specific problem or question you want to address.

ResearchWhen researching potential topics, keep an open mind and think creatively.

During my second year, I studied a module called Law and Society, which introduced me to the concept of the liberal legal subject. This sparked my interest in the idea of reasonableness in law. Through further reading, I realised I could connect this concept to principles in jurisprudence and even to the loss of control defence in criminal law. I also discovered that gender could be examined within this framework. This was the moment I realised I could merge different areas of law into a single dissertation. Thinking broadly can reveal connections you may not initially expect.

Ask questionsSpeak to your tutors and lecturers about your ideas. Be intentional about who you approach and how you frame your questions. Ask open questions that encourage discussion and allow you to see how others analyse your topic. No question is irrelevant. A simple query may become part of your research objectives. You may also find that the person you speak to becomes your supervisor.

Understand what is expectedBefore choosing a topic, make sure you understand what your dissertation must achieve.

This will help you decide how to approach your chosen subject. You may choose to discuss a broad area of law using a real-life case study. Alternatively, you may focus on a specific piece of legislation or case law and build your arguments around it. Your approach should reflect both the expectations of your institution and your own goals. Consider your audience. Who will read your dissertation and what do you want them to take away from it?

In the next part of this series, I will discuss the planning stage, what to expect and how to approach it effectively.