Timelines

The dissertation process starts formally for full-time students in Semester 2. Part-time students may start the process earlier and will be contacted by the module lead.  Sessions will be held with the dissertation team where the process will be outlined and an overview of the areas of research and specific methodologies of each research group in the Department will be provided (https://www.york.ac.uk/healthsciences/research/). Along with guidance on how to carry out a successful literature search to help you identify a potential topic and how to develop your proposal. 

The timeline for the academic year 2025/26  is:

Sessions1

• 9th February 2026

Introduction to dissertation module and developing your proposal

• 23rd February 2026 

How to conduct a successful literature search 

• 9th March 2026

How to refine your research question

• 16th March 2026

Finalising your proposal 

Key Dates: 

• 27th March 2026 (5pm): 

Deadline for project proposal submission using the  Google Forms (Formative Assessment).  If this is not submitted on time there may be a delay in identifying your potential supervisors. 

April 2026

Allocation of supervisors by module team

• 29th April 2026: 

You will be informed of who your supervisors are by this date via email   

• 14th September 2026: 

Deadline for submission2  

(Summative Assessment)

1 Additional sessions will be held during the Summer including online training for Covidence and in-person sessions on how to write an excellent dissertation (critical review), how to format your dissertation and how your dissertation will be assessed. Dates to be confirmed. 

2 Please be aware that if you are staying in on campus accommodation your tenancy agreement may have finished prior to the deadline for submission date