Dissertation Acknowledgements Guide: What to Write | Anushram

For a section that’s often only a page long, Dissertation Acknowledgements can feel surprisingly difficult to write. You’ve spent months (sometimes years) building arguments, collecting data, and editing chapters—then suddenly you’re expected to switch tone and write something personal, grateful, and “appropriate,” all at once.

The good news is that Dissertation Acknowledgements don’t need to be poetic or dramatic. They just need to be sincere, specific where it matters, and professionally safe. Think of this section as the closing handshake: it’s your chance to recognize the people and support systems that helped you finish.

This guide will walk you through what Dissertation Acknowledgements are, where they go, what to include, what to avoid, and how to structure them for undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD work. I’ll also share editable examples you can adapt to your own voice.

What are Dissertation Acknowledgements?

Dissertation Acknowledgements are a short section where you thank individuals and institutions who contributed to your dissertation journey—academically, practically, financially, and personally. It’s not part of your argument, and it’s not the place for citations or heavy theory. But it does matter for two reasons:

1. Professional courtesy: Academia runs on mentorship, peer feedback, and institutional support. Dissertation Acknowledgements show you recognize that.
2. Personal closure: Your dissertation is a major project. Writing Dissertation Acknowledgements helps you end it with a human note instead of just a final reference list.

Done well, it reads like a calm, thoughtful summary of who supported you—without oversharing.

Where to place Dissertation Acknowledgements in your dissertation

Most universities place Dissertation Acknowledgements in the front matter. Common order is:

• Title page
• Declaration (if required)
• Certificate (if required)
• Abstract
• Dissertation Acknowledgements
• Table of contents
• List of figures/tables

That said, formatting rules vary. If your department provides a template, follow it. If you’re unsure, check a few recent dissertations from your university library.

How long should Dissertation Acknowledgements be?

There isn’t one strict rule, but most Dissertation Acknowledgements fall into these ranges:

• Undergraduate: 120–250 words
• Master’s: 200–400 words
• PhD: 300–700 words (sometimes more, but be careful)

If you’re tempted to write two pages, you can—but it becomes harder to keep it meaningful. Strong Dissertation Acknowledgements feel intentional, not endless.

A simple structure that works every time

If you’re stuck, use this order. It keeps Dissertation Acknowledgements professional and easy to read:

1. Supervisor/guide (primary academic support)
2. Committee/panel and department (academic environment)
3. Institutional support (labs, library, admin staff, facilities)
4. Participants or organizations (if you collected data)
5. Funding or scholarships (if applicable)
6. Friends and family (personal support)
7. Closing line (brief, warm, not dramatic)

You don’t need to include every category—only what genuinely applies. But having a structure stops Dissertation Acknowledgements from turning into a scattered thank-you list.

Who to thank in Dissertation Acknowledgements

1) Supervisor / advisor

They usually come first in Dissertation Acknowledgements. Be specific about what they contributed: feedback, patience, direction, critical questioning.

Example phrases:

• “for thoughtful guidance and constructive feedback throughout the research”
• “for encouraging independence while providing clear direction”

2) Committee members and faculty

If you had panel reviews, coursework mentors, or faculty who shaped your thinking, acknowledge them briefly.

3) Department staff and institutional support

This is often forgotten in Dissertation Acknowledgements, but it’s a nice touch—especially if staff helped with paperwork, lab bookings, or access letters.

4) Participants, organizations, or site access

If you interviewed people, surveyed respondents, or worked with an organization, thank them respectfully. Avoid naming participants if confidentiality is required.

5) Funding bodies

If you received a scholarship, fellowship, or project funding, include the official name. Some funding requires acknowledgement—so this part of Dissertation Acknowledgements is not just polite; it can be compliance.

6) Friends and family

Keep it sincere, not overly detailed. One or two lines are enough.

What to avoid in Dissertation Acknowledgements

Even heartfelt Dissertation Acknowledgements need boundaries. Here are common mistakes:

• Inside jokes that only your friends understand
• Overly emotional or personal details (health issues, relationship drama, conflicts)
• Negative comments, even if you think they’re “honest”
• Long lists of names without meaning (it reads like a roll call)
• Wrong titles or misspelled names (double-check spellings)

A safe rule: write your Dissertation Acknowledgements as if a future employer or external examiner might read them—because they might.

Dissertation Acknowledgements for different levels (what changes)

Undergraduate

Undergraduate Dissertation Acknowledgements can be short and warm. Usually you thank your guide, one or two faculty members, and family.

Master’s

Master’s Dissertation Acknowledgements often include more practical support: lab access, industry mentors, survey participants, or internship supervisors.

PhD

PhD Dissertation Acknowledgements typically have the most depth. You may acknowledge:

• supervisor and committee
• lab mates and collaborators
• funding bodies
• editors, proofreaders, or language support (if used ethically and allowed)

If you received professional help, it’s fine to mention it briefly in Dissertation Acknowledgements, especially if your university has no restrictions. Keep it factual.

A practical writing process

Here’s a quick method to draft Dissertation Acknowledgements in one sitting:

1. Make a list of people/groups who genuinely helped (don’t write full sentences yet).
2. Group them into academic, institutional, research participants, personal.
3. Write one sentence per group describing the support.
4. Add names and titles carefully (Dr., Prof., etc.).
5. Read it out loud. If it sounds like a speech, shorten it.
6. Proofread names again. Then proofread them one more time.

This keeps Dissertation Acknowledgements clean and controlled.

Examples you can copy and customize

Below are sample Dissertation Acknowledgements with a natural tone. Replace bracketed text with your details.

Example 1: Short and formal

Dissertation Acknowledgements
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, [Dr./Prof. Name], for continuous guidance, constructive feedback, and encouragement throughout this dissertation. I am also thankful to the faculty members of the [Department/School Name] for their valuable suggestions during reviews. I acknowledge the support of [Lab/Library/Institution Name] for providing access to resources essential for this work. Finally, I thank my family and friends for their patience and support during the completion of this dissertation.

Example 2: Balanced and warm (most common)

Dissertation Acknowledgements
I am deeply grateful to my supervisor, [Dr./Prof. Name], for their steady guidance, insightful comments, and support in shaping this research from its early stages to the final draft. I also thank [Committee/Panel Names] for their thoughtful feedback, which helped strengthen the clarity and direction of this dissertation. My appreciation extends to the staff of [Department/Lab/Library] for their assistance with resources and administrative processes. I am thankful to the participants and organizations who contributed their time and information. Lastly, I thank my parents, family, and close friends for their constant encouragement and for making the challenging parts of this journey feel manageable.

Example 3: Participant-heavy / fieldwork-based

Dissertation Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my supervisor, [Name], for guidance and careful review throughout the research process. I am grateful to the faculty of [Department] for their support and suggestions. This dissertation would not have been possible without the cooperation of the respondents and stakeholders who participated in interviews and surveys; I sincerely appreciate their time and trust. I also acknowledge [Organization/Institution] for granting access and facilitating data collection. Finally, I thank my family and friends for their encouragement and understanding during long periods of writing and revision.

Example 4: If you used editing or formatting support (ethical, simple)

Dissertation Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my supervisor, [Name], for guidance, patience, and valuable feedback throughout this dissertation. I am also grateful to the faculty and staff of [Department/University] for their support. I appreciate the help I received with language refinement and formatting support during the final stages of preparation, which improved the clarity and presentation of this document. Finally, I thank my family and friends for their consistent encouragement.

(If you want to name a service, keep it minimal and professional—one phrase is enough.)

Where Anushram fits for many students

Many students write strong research but struggle with the final presentation—formatting rules, reference consistency, language polish, and last-minute cleanup. In practice, this is where support services like Anushram often help students finish calmly. Students typically use Anushram for proofreading, formatting alignment, reference checks, and clarity editing so the final dissertation reads smoothly and matches university guidelines.

If you choose to mention that kind of help, Dissertation Acknowledgements is usually the most appropriate place to do it—briefly and factually—without making it sound like an advertisement.

Final checklist for Dissertation Acknowledgements

Before you finalize your Dissertation Acknowledgements, check:

• Names spelled correctly (including initials)
• Correct titles (Dr./Prof.) where relevant
• Funding body names written exactly as official
• No private or sensitive details included
• Tone is respectful and steady
• Length matches your department norms

If your acknowledgements read like “you,” while still sounding professional, you’ve done it right.

Closing thought

The best Dissertation Acknowledgements are simple and honest. You don’t need big words—just clear gratitude. When you’re done, you’ll probably feel something surprising: relief. It’s the moment your dissertation stops being just a document and becomes a completed journey.

Call / WhatsApp: +91 96438 02216
Visit: www.anushram.com