SO499      One Unit
MSc in Sociology Dissertation

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Availability

These workshops will guide students through the process of conducting an independent dissertation project on the MSc Sociology.

Dissertation Particulars

The dissertation is a report on an independent research project, based on primary empirical material, secondary empirical material or theoretical work on a body of social thought: i.e. there must be an identifiable and clear research question governing the research project; there must be critical reflection on the methods used (including their limits and the reasons why they warrant the kinds of claims made); and substantive analysis of empirical or analytical material. Even where the topic is substantively a documentary or policy-review exercise, candidates are expected to offer original reasoned argument and interpretation and to show evidence of a competence in research methods. Guidance on topic selection and methods will be provided by the candidate's Academic Mentor and students are also encouraged to use the office hour system to consult more broadly with academic experts in their research area within the Department or across the LSE.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.

There will be an expected 6 hours of lectures or seminars dedicated for students on your programme as well as one-to-one meetings with your supervisors in WT and ST.

There will be two sessions during AT for ALL MSc students based in the Sociology department. One of these will be offered in conjunction with LSE Library and provide basic guidance about planning your dissertation, such as selecting a suitable topic, designing the research and reviewing the existing literature.

Students are required to submit one project abstract, and one project outline; students are also required to submit a Research Ethics Review before undertaking empirical research.

Dissertation (100%, 10000 words) in August

An electronic copy of the dissertation, to be uploaded to Moodle, no later than 4.00pm on Thursday 13th of August 2026. 

Dissertations may be up to and no more than 10,000 words, must be word-processed and be fully referenced using a recognised citation system.

Attendance at all classes and submission of all set coursework is required.