76040 Research Thesis

The Research Thesis comprises the research and writing of a supervised thesis on an approved topic in law. It will be within the range of 8,000 – 12,000 words, providing an opportunity for undergraduate students to further develop and refine their legal research and writing skills as well as explore and analyse a topic of law of their own choosing at a high level to produce a superior quality piece of academic work.

Because of these qualities of the Research Thesis, it is a requirement under the Faculty's Honours Rules that it must be undertaken before a student can be awarded a law degree with Honours. Students should consult the Honours Rules in Undergraduate course information.

In most cases the Research Thesis extends and develops research done in one or more of the electives subjects already undertaken. But in appropriate circumstances a candidate may undertake a new topic.

Students will not be permitted to undertake the Research Thesis until written approval has been obtained from the coordinator of the subject. The application form, including details of the proposal, must be submitted by week 12 of the previous semester. Thus, for students undertaking the Thesis in Autumn semester, this will be towards the end of November of the preceding year. For students undertaking the Thesis in Spring Semester, this will be towards the end of June of the same year.

The subject outline, further details and application information can be found online at:

Assessment: The research thesis must comply with certain requirements and these are set out in the subject outline for the relevant semester.

A recommended component of the research thesis is attendance at the research thesis workshop. This is normally held prior to the commencement of the semester in which the student intends to undertake the research thesis.

Students should consult the Honours regulations in Undergraduate course information.

Typical availability

Autumn semester, City campus
Spring semester, City campus

Note(s)

This subject was formerly called Research Project 4.