Free Template
Dissertation Checklist
A practical checklist to work through before you submit — covering structure, referencing, formatting, and final proofreading. Use it as a final safety net, not a substitute for careful drafting throughout.
Structure & Content
- Every chapter connects clearly back to your research questions and objectives
- Your introduction clearly states your aim, questions, and the structure of the dissertation
- Your literature review synthesises sources by theme, not just summarising them one by one
- Your methodology justifies your choices, not just describes what you did
- Your discussion genuinely interprets your findings in relation to the literature, rather than just restating results
- Your conclusion doesn't introduce new evidence or arguments not covered earlier
Referencing
- Every in-text citation has a matching entry in your reference list, and vice versa
- Referencing style is applied consistently throughout (no mixed styles)
- Direct quotes include page numbers where required by your style
- Reference list is correctly alphabetised and formatted
- Secondary citations are clearly indicated with "as cited in" where relevant
Formatting & Presentation
- Formatting matches your department's specific requirements (margins, spacing, font)
- Headings are consistently styled and correctly leveled throughout
- Page numbers, table of contents, and any required title page elements are correct
- Tables and figures are numbered, labelled, and referenced correctly in the text
- Word count falls within your department's permitted range, including or excluding appendices as specified
Final Proofreading Pass
- Spelling and grammar have been carefully checked (ideally by a fresh pair of eyes)
- Tense is used consistently within each section
- Terminology is used consistently throughout, not switching between synonyms for the same concept
- All appendices referenced in the text are actually included, correctly labelled
- The file has been saved in the correct format and named according to your department's requirements
Before You Click Submit
- Confirm your submission deadline and time zone, particularly for online portals
- Check whether a declaration of originality or similar form needs to be included or submitted separately
- Keep a backup copy of your final submitted file
- Confirm receipt once submitted, where your system provides confirmation
Key Takeaways
- Work through structure and content checks well before your final week, not only at the very end
- Referencing consistency is one of the most common, entirely avoidable issues examiners flag
- A final proofreading pass ideally involves a fresh pair of eyes, since your own has read the document too many times
Got Questions?
Dissertation Checklist FAQs
Structure and content items are worth checking as you draft each chapter, while formatting and final proofreading items are best left for a dedicated final pass in the last one to two weeks.
No, it's designed as a general-purpose checklist applicable across most subjects, though always cross-check against your own department's specific submission requirements.
Yes, our Proofreading service is specifically designed for exactly this final, careful check before submission.