Dissertation vs Thesis - Key Differences

It’s a common thing in any university hallway that students say things like, “I’ve to finish my dissertation chapter tonight,” or “My thesis needs major editing before submission.”But when we ask them what the difference is between a dissertation and thesis, many of them will hesitate to answer.

It’s no wonder that the phrases dissertation vs thesis and thesis vs dissertation are among the most Googled by university students worldwide.That’s because the difference between thesis and vs dissertation isn’t always clear. This is the reality of many people pursuing a master’s or a PhD. Both of these terms are used interchangeably by the learners. Also, many universities confusingly use these words. In academic writing, they are referred to as one of many different types of assignments given to students at different levels of study. 

The tradition of writing a dissertation or thesis is not a modern concept. This trend began from the early medieval universities, where the students used to defend their scholarly arguments in public. This mode of presenting research ideas later evolved into a written format by the 18th century. During this time, submit an in-depth research. In 19th century, the doctoral thesis emerged particularly after being adopted by the University of Berlin and the University of Paris.

A thesis or dissertation are same type of assignment written after completion of a research project. But in the UK, a dissertation is written on an undergraduate or master’s degree research topic, while a thesis is reserved for a PhD or doctorate degree. However, in the USA, it’s not like this. You will have to write a thesis for your master’s, and a dissertation for your doctoral research.

Even after clarification, students still have this confusion about whether they have to write a dissertation or a thesis assignment. In this blog, we will read about the distinction between a thesis and a dissertation. Let’s break it down together.

Dissertation vs Thesis: Are They Similar

At first glance, the terms dissertation seem to be very similar. Both are large academic papers that require months of research work to be done by an aspirant. Both are tied to university degrees. But are they the same? The short answer is no. But these two terms share the same DNA. In the UK academic system, a dissertation is required at the undergraduate or master’s level, while a thesis is for PhD candidates. However, they both serve a similar purpose to assess a student’s ability to conduct independent research.

In informal conversations, thesis and dissertations are similar in context. However, in the academic sense, they have different purposes. The differences between the two terms are also based on the university guidelines, where these two terms have different use cases. This leads to confusion in most of the students. Let’s see what the difference is between thesis and dissertation.

What Is a Dissertation?

In the UK, a dissertation is a formal academic document written by students in the final year of an undergraduate (bachelor) or during a postgraduate (Master’s) program. It represents the culmination of your degree. The dissertation meaning in the UK is centered on demonstrating your ability to conduct research on a topic related to your field of study. While working on a dissertation, it is not mandatory for students to report new findings to the existing literature.

However, in such cases, the academic research is not published after the dissertation is completed. This is also shown by a study that master’s thesis publication rates in the UK are less than 10% per year per course on average. But in American English, a dissertation works in the opposite way. It’s a 300-word page document required to earn a doctorate degree. The researchers conduct original research or expanded research and make novel discoveries in their field of study.

The knowledge gained in a doctoral degree becomes part of the existing academic world. Through doctoral programs, students encourage the systematic advancement of science by publishing their research in renowned academic journals. In scientific terms, a dissertation has two types: empirical and non-empirical.

The key differences between the two are their research methodology. In empirical research, a writer gathers data and produces a unique piece of original research. However, non-experimental research is used in non-scientific fields like literature. In this research method, you use already available data to present novel perspectives on a topic. 

What Is a Thesis?

In the UK, a thesis refers to the major research project written for a PhD or doctoral degree. It involves original investigation and contributes new knowledge to the field. A typical university thesis in the UK ranges from 250 to 300 pages. In the US and Canada, a thesis is usually written for a Master’s degree. It’s a long paper that demonstrates a student’s ability to research and write academic arguments. Students studying in the USA usually write a thesis of 60 to 100 pages.

The definition for thesis in North America is also the same, where a thesis emphasizes more on analytical depth rather than original discovery. A thesis includes sections like a literature review, methods, analysis, and conclusion. While it may not always involve new data, it must present a clear academic stance on a topic based on evidence.

If you’re comparing dissertation vs thesis, remember: in the UK, the thesis is for doctoral work; in the US, it’s for a Master’s. The difference between thesis and dissertation also lies in intent. A thesis adds novel discoveries in the existing literature, but a dissertation (especially a uni dissertation in the UK) is often a final-year project that reviews existing knowledge.

Difference in Root Meaning? Terminology & Etymology 

Both of these words have evolved from different base words and languages. If we look at the origins of “thesis”, it has Greek roots, which means “a proposition”. Historically, it was used by philosophers like Aristotle. At that time, a thesis was used to describe an intellectual claim to challenge common myths on an issue. In modern UK academia, a thesis at university refers to a doctoral-level submission intended to add new knowledge to a specific field. In contrast, the word “dissertation” has two latin roots, dissertatio (discussion) and dissertare (to debate or examine).

The term was used to describe a formal written treatise around the 17th century in Britain. Today, the dissertation meaning in the UK refers to an academic paper required at the undergraduate or master’s level. When we explore. what is a dissertation UK, it usually implies a well-researched, independently written document, but with less emphasis on original discovery compared to a thesis. Although people often use dissertation vs thesis or thesis vs dissertation interchangeably, especially online. The US terminology reverses these meanings.

Thesis vs Dissertation: Difference based on whether you live in the US or UK 

The difference between thesis and dissertation is also geographical in definition. While searching online, you’ll quickly notice that the definition of dissertation vs thesis depends on whether you’re in the United States or the United Kingdom. In fact, the meaning of these two terms is nearly reversed.

United States:

In the US, a thesis is generally associated with master’s degree. It usually ranges from 15,000 to 30,000 words, depending on the program. While students are encouraged to contribute ideas but the goal of a thesis in the US in to build technical expertise in the students. It doesn’t need to create groundbreaking research. By contrast, a PhD dissertation in the US is far more substantial.

It can be 70,000 to 120,000 words. This aligns more with what British students would call a “thesis.” A dissertation in this context is expected to offer original research and typically includes a dissertation proposal, which must be approved before full research begins. This is followed by chapters covering the methodology, data analysis, evaluations, and conclusion.

United Kingdom:

The dissertation definition in British education focuses on proving research competence, often under the guidance of a supervisor. Meanwhile, the thesis at university is a doctoral submission, also known as a thesis doctorate. It must provide new insights that advance the academic field. In both the UK and US, whether you’re writing a uni dissertation or university thesis, the process often begins with a formal dissertation proposal and concludes with evaluation by academic supervisors or examiners.

Differences between a dissertation and a thesis | Supervision, Submission, & Examination

In the UK, a dissertation is written for undergraduate and master’s programs. It is often performed under light supervision from one academic advisor. A thesis, which refers to PhD research, involves intense supervision over several years. Submission of the main research to earn a PhD degree follows a strict structure: abstract, literature review, methods, findings, and conclusion.

In the US, a Master’s thesis is written under stricter academic supervision. While A PhD dissertation (the US equivalent of a UK thesis) is reviewed through a formal committee. While both systems value structured writing, the UK process is typically more independent, especially at the doctoral level. 

Differences in Timeline and Funding between Dissertation and Thesis

In the UK, students typically complete their bachelor’s or master’s dissertation in 3–9 months. In contrast, a PhD thesis can take 3–4 years and may be funded through stipends and scholarships.In the US, a Master’s thesis takes 1–2 semesters (around 6–9 months), while a doctoral dissertation often spans 4–7 years. In American Universities, funding is more common for PhD scholars.

Such opportunities come in the form of teaching assistantships or fellowships. Whether you’re dealing with a university dissertation or a thesis doctorate, duration and financial assistance for the degree depending on your academic level.

Is Viva voice compulsory in a PhD Dissertation or thesis?

Yes, in the UK, a viva voce (oral examination) is a mandatory part of completing a PhD thesis. Candidates must defend their work in front of a panel of examiners. The number of supervisors, 8in this panel may vary according to every university. The advisors are usually members of the internal faculty and external universities. The viva assesses not just the written research, but the scholar’s ability to justify their methodology and conclusions. In contrast, the US typically requires a dissertation defense to earn a PhD degree. This is like a PhD thesis defense in the UK.

What are the qualities of a good thesis or a dissertation?

Here are the qualities of a good dissertation:

1. A good university thesis always begins with an arguable thesis statement. This tells the reader about the central research question.
2. A dissertation is an authentic piece of work. Your work should offer new insight or a unique perspective to the existing academic discussion. The dissertation text not contain plagiarism. For this, consider reading the guidelines of your university 
3. For writing a high-quality dissertation, you need to cite credible sources. In a PhD thesis, every statement has to be justified in depth by citing cholal;ry work from renowned journals. 
4. A thesis and a dissertation should follow a clear flow, including an introduction, literature review, methodology, analysis, and conclusion.
5. In a good thesis, all the academic resources should be referenced properly according to a citation format, including APA, Harvard, MLA or Chicago referencing style.

Do we follow the same structure in a thesis and a dissertation?

The structure of both usually includes:

• Title Page
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Methodology
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• References

However, the difference between thesis and dissertation is more about the depth of research. A thesis doctorate (PhD level) is a broader post-graduate research project than a Master’s dissertation. Despite these differences, both follow a formal layout for submission.

Some Glossary Terms Used in Thesis and Dissertation

Abstract
A short summary at the beginning of a university thesis or uni dissertation. This section provides a quick overview of the research’s objectives and important findings. It gives an overview of the topic to the reader.

Bibliography
It is a list of all the references used in a thesis or dissertation. You can use information from books, articles, and organizations’ websites to support your arguments.

Case Study
In a case study we carry out a detailed investigation of a person, group, or event. It is common in both qualitative dissertations and theses. Such studios are used at the postgraduate level.

Literature Review
In this section, you examine the previous research on a topic. Whether you’re writing a PhD thesis or a Master’s dissertation, you explain the aims of your research using existing resources.

Methodology
This explains how the research was carried out. The methodology section of any dissertation or thesis covers the procedures used to gather and analyse research data.

Quantitative Research
This method focuses on numbers and statistics. It’s commonly found in scientific doctorate papers and university dissertations where numerical data is essential.

Qualitative Research
It can be used in dissertations and theses. Common ways to conduct his type of research are to study personal experiences, interviews, and themes. It provides a theoretical understanding of a topic rather than numerical analysis.

Variable
A measurable element in research. In both thesis vs dissertation work, variables are central to forming hypotheses and drawing conclusions.

Theoretical Framework
The foundation of theories that guide the research. This is used to frame the study’s argument, whether you’re writing a university thesis or a dissertation at any academic level.

Conceptual Framework
A visual model showing how key ideas in your research connect. It helps explain the relationships between variables or concepts in your thesis at university.

Glossary
A section with definitions for the technical words used in your dissertation. It helps readers understand the vocabulary related to the subject. 

Plagiarism
It occurs when someone uses another person’s findings without giving them full credit. Every thesis or dissertation does not contain any plagiarism and meets the required academic standards.

Citation
It is a reference leading to the source of information used in the research. Accurate citation is essential in both university dissertations and theses.

Research Question
The central question your dissertation or thesis tries to answer. It guides the entire research process.

Hypothesis
A statement predicting the outcome of your research. In both dissertation and thesis contexts, hypotheses are used to guide data collection and analysis.

Data Analysis
It is a process of examining data that has been gathered in order to answer a research question. Whether in a dissertation or thesis difference, data analysis shows your findings are evidence-based.

Findings
These are the results of your study. You can present your findings in the form of tables and charts. They are common data visualization methods used in quantitative dissertations.

Discussion
In this section you can explain the results of your research and how they are related to the previous literature. It is a required section in both thesis and dissertation projects.

Implications
What your research findings mean for the field of study. A good dissertation or thesis doctorate will explain how the work can be applied or further developed.

Limitations
Remember, all research studies have constraints in terms of their practical applications. This section honestly presents what aspects your university dissertation cannot cover.

Viva Voce
It is an oral examination required for PhD theses in the UK. It involves answering questions from examiners to justify your research results.

FAQs Students Have In Mind

Is a dissertation the same as a thesis in the UK?

There is a misconception of thesis vs dissertation among many students in the UK. In the UK, a dissertation is usually written in the final year of a BS or a MS degree. However, a thesis is written to earn a PhD qualification.

How many words you have to write for a UK PhD thesis?

In th the UK it is about 400 w/page (60,000-100,000 w).But you should also think about the course of study and the rules of the university.

Do all PhD students need to pass a viva?

A viva exam ( verbal defense) is compulsory in the UK for acquiring a thesis doctorate. It is a part of the formal assessment process.

Can I submit my thesis without publishing?

In most cases, publishing is not a requirement for submitting a master’s thesis. Some universities might accept a thesis based on quality and originality alone.

Does a Master’s dissertation require original research?

Master’s thesis or dissertation, in many cases, does not require a lot of new research. In some cases of Master’s dissertations, students might need original data. The requirements of original research depend upon university guidelines and course requirements. 

Is a viva required for all research submissions?

Viva exams are mostly required for PhD thesis, not for Master’s dissertations or undergraduate projects. The number of examiners will be different depending op

Do all dissertations require original data?

In scientific research, a student is required to gather new data using different research methods. However, in less scientific dissertations, you can use existing datasets or conduct literature-based analysis to build your arguments.

Can I reuse previous research material while writing a dissertation and thesis?

Most universities expect original work for Master’s and PhD research. Reusing preexisting material is often termed as self-plagiarism. To avoid this situation, try rephrasing your written content with synonyms. Also give credit in the form of citations to the source of information. You can also consult your university’s policy regarding reusing previous research.

What if my university uses the US terminology?

In the United States a thesis is required for a Master’s degree, and a dissertation is compulsory to attain a PhD. In the UK, it’s the other way around. If you are confused about what you should be writing, then consult your institution’s guidelines before getting into any writing task.