It is vital that you plan ahead for the whole process of writing your dissertation, from beginning to end. This is particularly important for a Year Abroad Dissertation, if there are periods during the year when you cannot work on your dissertation. But it is also important for the Optional Dissertation, as you will need to juggle your dissertation work with the demands of your other papers, which may vary at different points in the year.
Below are some suggested work schedules. In every case it is vital to agree a schedule with your supervisor, in case he or she is unavailable for particular periods during the year.
Year Abroad Dissertation
Schedule A
This schedule is an example of one which would be suitable if you have relatively light commitments for most of your Year Abroad (e.g. if you are working part-time or taking a university course abroad).
| June |
After your Part IB exams and before leaving Cambridge, meet up with your supervisor and do as much preliminary reading and photocopying in Cambridge libraries as you can. |
| July-Sept |
Continue working on getting a bibliography together and working out where to source any materials you need. |
| Sept-Dec |
Read widely and make notes as appropriate. |
| Early Jan |
Contact your supervisor and agree on any changes needed to your dissertation title before the Faculty deadline. |
| Feb-March |
Gather your notes together and produce a detailed plan for your supervisor’s comments. |
| April-May |
Work on a first draft to submit for feedback from your supervisor. |
| June-Aug |
Rework and edit your draft (this may involve several drafting stages). |
| September |
Tidy up the final version, work on presentation and referencing, proofread and finish before the start of Michaelmas Term. |
Schedule B
This schedule is an example of one which would be suitable if you cannot do substantial work on the dissertation during the October-June period of your Year Abroad (e.g. if you are employed full-time).
| June |
After your Part IB exams and before leaving Cambridge, meet up with your supervisor and do as much preliminary reading and photocopying in Cambridge libraries as you can. |
| July-Sept |
Work intensively on getting a bibliography together and sourcing materials. Read widely and make notes as appropriate. |
| Early Jan |
Contact your supervisor and agree on any changes needed to your dissertation title before the Faculty deadline. |
| Feb-May |
When commitments permit, keep reading and defining your ideas. At the very least you should produce a detailed plan for your supervisor’s comments before mid-June. |
| July |
Work intensively on a first draft to submit for feedback from your supervisor. |
| August |
Rework and edit your draft (this may involve several drafting stages). |
| September |
Tidy up the final version, work on presentation and referencing, proofread and finish before the start of Michaelmas Term. |
Optional Dissertation
| Before Oct |
Identify a possible topic or topics, and start some preliminary reading. |
| October |
Meet your supervisor at the start of term to discuss your ideas. |
| Oct-Nov |
Develop a bibliography and read widely, making notes as appropriate. Produce a detailed plan for your supervisor’s comments before the end of term. |
| Dec-Jan |
Work intensively on a first draft to submit for feedback from your supervisor. |
| Jan-Feb |
Meet regularly with your supervisor, using the time between meetings to rework and edit your draft (this may involve several drafting stages). |
| Feb-Mar |
Tidy up the final version, work on presentation and referencing, proofread and submit before the deadline. |