Dissertation Research Abroad

Hi All. I’m going into my 3rd year of my BA in Human Geography this September, where I’ll be completing my Dissertation.

I wanted to perhaps conduct (and base my diss) on research abroad (away from the UK).

However, I’ve honestly found very little information online about this kind of thing for UG students and not PG. I’ve seen on the Cambridge website that many of their students undertake their diss research abroad, however, I haven’t seen any information elsewhere.

I’m wondering is it worth the extra layer of conducting my research abroad? Does anyone have experience in doing something like this?

The alternative (and what most of my cohort will do) is a diss based in London or their UK hometowns — I’m happy to do this but just wondering all my options!

Reply 1

username5972212

0

17

I can't offer any specfic advice on this but I have supervised students who have done projects abroad and can share my observations on that. Obviously, if you are doing fieldwork then you will be stuck with the data you get, it isn't always possible to go back for more if it turns out there were things you missed. There may also be local regulations and clearances which you will need to negotiate in advance. Most final year projects and dissertations require ethical approval and so you will have to demonstrate that you have covered any local issues. If you are working in a different language, you will be required to used a reliable translator. Overall, I would say that you would need to be more organised and forward thinking if you go abroad.

Reply 2

gracieex

OP

13

Original post by cheadle

I can't offer any specfic advice on this but I have supervised students who have done projects abroad and can share my observations on that. Obviously, if you are doing fieldwork then you will be stuck with the data you get, it isn't always possible to go back for more if it turns out there were things you missed. There may also be local regulations and clearances which you will need to negotiate in advance. Most final year projects and dissertations require ethical approval and so you will have to demonstrate that you have covered any local issues. If you are working in a different language, you will be required to used a reliable translator. Overall, I would say that you would need to be more organised and forward thinking if you go abroad.

Thank you for your honesty!

I have done research for my degree abroad before but I was just wondering how it would play out as a dissertation — I’m glad to hear other people have tried it, but perhaps it’s best if I stick with somewhere I can get comfortable in.

I do think it’s a shame though that students are discouraged from doing research away from the location their University is based. Thanks again!

Reply 3

username5972212

0

17

I would not discourage you from doing your dissertation research abroad as this could bring something unique to your project. But I also think you should be pragmatic about what I call the "doability" of the project - you have to think about the practicalities.

Reply 4

Primus2x

9

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your experiences, I am also interested in doing something like this but for linguistics rather than geography. Is writing a linguistics dissertation using data collected from fieldwork abroad possible for a UK-based UG, and at which universities?

Reply 5

username5972212

0

17

Original post by Primus2x

Hello,
Thank you for sharing your experiences, I am also interested in doing something like this but for linguistics rather than geography. Is writing a linguistics dissertation using data collected from fieldwork abroad possible for a UK-based UG, and at which universities?

I would ask this queston at the local level - can you check with supervisors and maybe even the library (who should hold copies of previously submitted dissertations).

Dissertation Research Abroad

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you