5.4 Thesis Word Limits
It is very important that your thesis does not exceed the maximum word limit appropriate to your College and degree type. Your thesis may not be sent for examination if it is longer than the prescribed limits:
College of Arts, Humanities, and Law
The maximum word limits for research degree theses are:
- PhD - 80,000 words
- MPhil - 50,000 words
These word limits include all appendices and footnotes, but exclude the bibliography.
College of Medicine, Biological Sciences, and Psychology
The maximum word limits for research degree theses are:
- PhD Thesis Max. 50,000 words (80,000 if qualitative/case study based)
- DClinPsy Thesis Max. 30,000 words
- MPhil Thesis Max. 30,000 words (50,000 if qualitative/case study based)
These word limits exclude contents lists, tabulated data, diagrams, and references.
College of Science and Engineering
The maximum word limits for research degree theses are:
- PhD - 50,000 words
- EngD - 25,000 words
- MPhil - 30,000 words
These word limits exclude tabulated data and diagrams.
College of Social Science
The maximum word limits for research degree theses are:
- PhD - 80,000 words
- EdD - 55,000 words
- DSocSci - 50,000 words
- MPhil - 50,000 words
These word limits include all appendices and footnotes, but exclude the bibliography.
Word Limit Extensions
Research students are not normally permitted to exceed the applicable word limit for their thesis - if your thesis looks like it will exceed the maximum limit, you should look to see how it can be edited.
If this proves impossible, you can request permission from the Graduate Dean to exceed the permitted limit - but, requests are considered in exceptional cases only and you need to have been granted approval before you are allowed to submit your thesis.
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