EU499     
Dissertation

This information is for the 2024/25 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Spyridon Economides, Prof Jonathan Hopkin, Dr Eiko Thielemann and Prof Jonathan White

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe, MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe (LSE & Sciences Po), MSc in International Migration and Public Policy, MSc in International Migration and Public Policy (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Political Economy of Europe and MSc in Political Economy of Europe (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is available on the MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe (LSE & Columbia), MSc in European and International Politics and Policy (LSE and Bocconi), MSc in European and International Politics and Policy (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in European and International Public Policy, MSc in European and International Public Policy (LSE and Bocconi) and MSc in European and International Public Policy (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is not available as an outside option.

This course is only available to European Institute Students.

Course content

Students are required to write a 10,000-word dissertation on a topic within the field of their chosen programme. A Dissertation Supervisor will be assigned to students and we endeavour to team students with Supervisors with a close area of interest. Students also retain the right to discuss their project with other faculty both within the EI and beyond in the LSE (through advice and feedback hours). The dissertation should be an account of original research, but can rely on secondary sources.   

In preparation for the dissertation, students must submit a Preliminary Dissertation Topic Proposal, a Dissertation Prospectus and a Final Dissertation Topic Proposal, along with a research ethics review checklist (if applicable). Students must submit all required documents to be able to submit the Dissertation. Students must also receive approval of their Final Dissertation Topic Proposal Form before they are allowed to submit.

Students must attend the relevant methodology course for their programme. Detailed information on the dissertation timeline, deadlines and format can be found on the EU499 Moodle page. Students are required to read any additional information relevant to their particular programme. Students will write the dissertation as an independent project over the summer.

Teaching

  • Students taking MSc in Political Economy of Europe and MSc in Political Economy of Europe (LSE and Sciences Po) are expected to attend EU470 How do we know? An Introduction to Research Design and Methods in Political Economy.

     
  • Students taking MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe, MSc Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe (LSE & Columbia) are expected to attend EU410 Interdisciplinary Research Methods and Design.

     
  • Students taking MSc in International Migration and Public Policy and MSc International Migration and Public Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) are expected to attend EU471 Researching Migration: Research Questions and Research Methods.  

     
  • Students taking MSc in European and International Politics and Policy, MSc in European and International Politics and Policy (Sciences Po), MSc in European and International Politics and Policy (LSE and Bocconi), MSc in European and International Public Policy (LSE and Bocconi) and MSc in European and International Public Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) are required to take MY451A Introduction to Quantitative Analysis or MY452A Applied Regression Analysis.

Formative coursework

A written essay (prospectus) of 2,000 words is required as part of the approval process

Assessment

Dissertation (100%, 10000 words) in the post-spring term.

Key facts

Department: European Institute

Total students 2023/24: 189

Average class size 2023/24: Unavailable

Controlled access 2023/24: No

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication