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Should you write a dissertation?

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Our final year at university comes with an added amount of stress. Our academic experience is one that is all hands on deck quite a lot of the time, especially around exam time.

When we get to third year there is a jump in our personal expectations and the amount of hours we need to put in. However, in some departments a dissertation is not a requirement. This means that students may be tackling their academics in a different way.

The long essay

At my university in Swansea, for my joint honours degree in English Literature and Spanish, I was unable to take a traditional dissertation. By this I mean, one that is spread out throughout your final year and are often worth 40 credits. I could however, do something called a long essay. It was the same length as a traditional dissertation, but was worth 20 credits and could only be written after Christmas in your final year. I had a high workload as I was taking more modules than another student who was writing their dissertation.

You are in control

The most rewarding thing about a dissertation is that you control the module. You decide on a title and focus that will add to your field of study. It gives you the chance to take your education into your own hands and develop an academic passion. It also gives your degree credibility; it shows you are capable of personal development.

I loved the hard work, personal study and the satisfaction I felt when I finally handed in my mammoth piece of work.

It teaches transferable skills

Research and writing skills develop during the process. These will be imperative in the world of work. The ability to work independently and develop an idea into a piece of writing is a fantastic skill to have. It will prepare you for the future.

It builds creativity and original thinking

The essay involves all your own ideas, and you build on them step by step. It gives you a greater understanding through personal study, rather than being taught something in a lecture hall.

I would strongly recommend choosing a dissertation if you can, as the end result is so rewarding. You build skills that you would not necessarily obtain at a university age. A piece of personal study like this will impress future employers and credits your degree.

Do you think to write a dissertation should be compulsory in a degree? Tell us in the comment box below.

Photo: Fen Wench / Flickr

Niamh OllertonShould you write a dissertation?

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