4 Tricks to Writing an Excellent Dissertation During Your Masters Degree in International Relations

A smart strategy can help you write an excellent dissertation

The dissertation is a defining feature of most master’s courses. An original piece of heavily-researched postgraduate level writing, an MA dissertation can seem like a daunting task, even for students who completed dissertations or similar assignments during their undergraduate degrees.

Fortunately, there are many strategies that MA students can employ during their degree that can help them work through the dissertation process smoothly. Continue reading to learn more about these approaches and how you can write a quality international relations dissertation during your MA.

1. Start Your Dissertation Early in Your Masters Degree in International Relations

When you begin your MA, the dissertation will not be your first module. However, this project is something you should keep in the back of your mind from the start of your course. When you are working on your other modules, approach your course material with a critical eye and look for topics that are particularly interesting to you or raise questions that you could answer with further research. Even if you begin your degree with a dissertation idea in mind, exploring new ideas early on can help you anticipate potential difficulties with your topic, discover new lines of inquiry, and incorporate the insights gained from your course modules into your final project.

Start considering your dissertation topic early in your degree to ensure a well-developed piece of work

2. Seek Frequent Feedback From Your Distance Learning Masters Tutor

Your most valuable resource when writing your dissertation as an online Masters in International Relations student is your tutor. First, your tutor must approve your dissertation topic before you begin writing. This means that you should keep close contact with your tutor as you develop your idea in order to ensure that it will be suitable.

Additionally, your tutor will also supervise your research and writing process, and have the skills and international relations expertise needed to provide you with excellent guidance. Make sure you take full advantage of this resource to produce the best dissertation possible.

3. Keep Track of Your Citations Throughout the Entire Research Process

The beginning of a large project like a dissertation can often involve a lot of scattered, big-picture research – before you begin drafting, you will likely read and consider materials from many different academic sources.

To avoid the stressful, tedious task of compiling all of your citations and bibliographic materials at the end of the drafting process, make sure you keep an organised record of the sources from which you are drawing information and inspiration from the very beginning of your project. Having an organised list in one central location can also be useful as you continue to seek out further sources, as it will make it easier for you to identify gaps in the literature you are working with.

Organise your sources as you research and write to avoid last-minute problems

4. Take Advantage of the Flexibility of an Online Masters in International Relations

Finally, make sure that you take advantage of the flexible structure of a distance learning masters in international relations when writing your dissertation. For instance, keeping close contact with your tutor is even easier when you do not have to arrange an in-person meeting, and can instead maintain convenient contact remotely.

Additionally, many online programmes allow students to complete their work on a part-time basis. The MA offered by Queen Mary Online, for example, allows students to complete their course over two years. With more time, you can commit more fully to your dissertation, and schedule time to work on it when it is convenient for you. Taking advantage of the flexibility of online learning during your dissertation will give you a level of control that simply cannot be beaten.

What could your dissertation uncover about international relations?

Contact Queen Mary Online to learn more about this component of the Masters Degree in International Relations.