Acknowledging someone means thanking them. The acknowledgement section in a dissertation is used to express gratitude towards all those who have helped you prepare the dissertation.
Both professional and personal acknowledgements can be included in it. The acknowledgement section comes in between the title page and the abstract page. It is best suited to be on one page.
The writer has the liberty to use personal pronouns (I, we, my, etc) in this section, as this section allows more of an informal way of writing.
Who Should You Thank In Your Acknowledgements?
Your acknowledgements section should include everyone who played a meaningful role in your academic journey, both professionally and personally.
- Key academic contributors such as your supervisor, dissertation advisor, committee members, and any funding organisations. These individuals provided direct guidance, resources, or intellectual input that made your research process possible.
- Peers, classmates, librarians, research assistants, or participants who supported your work practically or intellectually.
- Those who offered emotional or personal support, family members, close friends, or even pets who helped you stay motivated through the dissertation writing journey.
The acknowledgements section is your opportunity to show genuine appreciation, so include those whose support truly mattered to you.
How to Write Dissertation Acknowledgements
Why Are Dissertation Acknowledgements Important?
Writing an acknowledgement in your dissertation reflects your integrity, gratitude, and attention to academic conventions. In fact, universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Leeds, and Harvard recommend this section as a way of upholding transparency in collaborative work.
Here are some sentence starters you can adapt for your dissertation acknowledgement section:
- I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. ABC, for their continuous support, guidance, and encouragement throughout this project.
- I am grateful to Professor S. Jobs for inspiring my academic interest in the field of technological innovation.
- I would also like to thank Dr Jane Goodall, my research partner, whose input significantly shaped the direction of my study.
- Special thanks to my friends and family for their patience, support, and understanding during countless long nights.
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Simple Phrases To Get You Started
To make writing easier, here are sample phrases you can mix and match based on the type of support received:
| Key Contributors | Academic Support | Personal Support |
|---|---|---|
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Expert Tip
If you are stuck, start with “I would like to thank…” and follow it up with a specific example of how they helped you.
You do not need to write any conclusion or summary at the end. You can end the acknowledgements with your last thank you.
You can also check what Oxford University’s thesis and report guidebook mentions under the acknowledgements section.
Where Does the Acknowledgement Go in a Dissertation?
Your acknowledgement section should be placed immediately after the title page and before the abstract. It is usually no longer than one page, and formatting should be consistent with the rest of your dissertation (usually double-spaced, size 12 Times New Roman or Arial).
Dissertation Acknowledgement Example
Here is an example prepared by a student at the University of Manchester:
A basic structure includes
- a sentence opener (highlighted in red)
- followed by the individual or organisation being acknowledged (highlighted in blue)
- a brief explanation of what you’re thanking them for (highlighted in green).
Ready To Write Your Acknowledgements?
Here is an easy dissertation acknowledgements template that you can copy and get started:
| I am sincerely thankful to…
______________________________________________________ I would also like to thank… _______________________________________________________ Lastly, I want to acknowledge… _______________________________________________________ |
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Frequently Asked Questions
A dissertation acknowledgement is a section where you thank the people and institutions that supported you during your research. It usually includes supervisors, advisors, peers, and loved ones. It’s placed after the title page and before the abstract in most academic formats.
You should thank anyone who contributed significantly to your research journey. This includes academic supervisors, committee members, funding organisations, librarians, classmates, friends, and family. Be sincere and prioritise those who provided academic or emotional support during the writing process.
Yes, personal acknowledgements are allowed and even encouraged. Many students thank their parents, partners, or friends for their emotional support. You can also include pets if they helped you cope during the research phase. Just keep it appropriate and respectful.
The acknowledgement section is typically one page long and no more than 300 – 500 words. Keep it concise and well-structured. Focus on expressing genuine gratitude while maintaining a formal yet personal tone. There’s no need for a summary or conclusion.
Yes, using first-person pronouns like I, my, or we is acceptable in the acknowledgements. This section allows a more personal tone compared to the rest of your dissertation. However, it should still maintain academic professionalism and avoid overly casual language.
