The resources below are here to guide you to create your dissertation template

Creating your dissertation template:

Please work through the recording below to complete your template. If you have already written your dissertation and need to format it - follow the recording and apply the changes to your document instead.

To work through the Dissertation Formatting session below, you will need to save the following files: The Solar System-1.docx , Transit of Mercury.jpg and Phobos.jpg - Open the Word document named The Solar System for working on the recording below.

Important: The recording mentions that printing and binding is free. This service is no longer available. Please scroll down to the Printing, Binding and Dissertation covers section to read the up to date information regarding this.

Image showing how to select the Panopto view - this will enable you to view the contents.

Or alternatively you can download and follow a written guide: Formatting Guide Office 2016.pdf

Check the Dissertation Formatting Checklist before submitting your document onto Turnitin.

Printing, binding and dissertation covers:

Important: You are NOT submitting a printed version for marking. Please ensure you submit an electronic version of your dissertation on Turnitin by the submission due date.

You can obtain free dissertation covers from the Programmes and Placements office (HDC 111).

If you are printing your dissertation, it is vital that you set up the document to the exact formatting requirements (page size and margins) and that the front cover is created correctly so that your title sits within the cover window - this document will show you how to set up your front cover

Should you wish to print your dissertation, the suggested printing service is called 'Astralis Print and Design' (Tel: 01752 466175). Here are the details:

Save the dissertation as a PDF file and attach to an email to joy@astralisprint.co.uk - do NOT email as a link to a SharePoint or OneDrive site
Include a contact number in the email - this is to process payment and allow them to contact you if there are any potential errors in your PDF file
Cost of printing is £20 for one copy, £30 for two copies - this cost includes: colour printing, binding, placing the front covers (you won't be charged for the covers) and postage. You will be contacted to take payment via telephone card payment when your dissertation is ready for delivery/collection.
Printed dissertations are posted to the Welcome Desk - please allow up to 3 days from emailing your dissertation for delivery to the university

You can also print your dissertation using any one of the MFD printers on campus (Multi Functional Devices). If you've never used your print credits on your Marjon library card, you'll have £3 worth of printing, which is 60 pages (black & white printing)! Please note that we won't have any binding facilities on campus.

Note: there is no obligation to print your dissertation.

Further information:

Dissertations: Browse a selection of dissertations including the Abstracts on the Library page, as completed by Marjon students. These dissertations have been chosen by the Academic Senate. You must be logged in to view this resource with your Marjon email address and password.
Plagiarism Check for dissertations: In order to help you prepare your dissertation for final submission, the Digital Innovation team have created a Turnitin Plagiarism Check for dissertations for the dissertation modules to check your work for unintentional plagiarism. You can find this service on your dissertation module on Marjon Canvas from January 2024 onwards. Please note that this service is available on final dissertation modules only and has been set up for students to submit chunks of work rather than having to submit their dissertation before seeing the similarity report. Please note that this service may be renamed by your tutors (i.e. Checking similarity score before dissertation submission).
Study Skills: You can find a wealth of resources and information in the Study Skills page on MyMarjon. Check this page for study skills drop-in sessions, and for support and guidance on a range of study skills topics such as APA Referencing, Dissertation Writing, Time Management, Critical Thinking and much more! For more information regarding the content of the dissertation visit the Dissertation section on the Study Skills page.
Aims sessions: Specialist staff in academic and library-based, have worked together to put on a program of sessions designed to help you Acquire, Improve and Master a range of generic skills that fall outside the normal curriculum but could save you time and effort as well as help you achieve better results. You can find more information and booking options on our AIM page on MyMarjon. AIM sessions will stop at the end of March 2024 but support is available if you contact the specialist staff member.
Student Regulations Framework: The Student Regulations Framework details the regulations for 'Substantial Assessment Tasks' (Dissertations, Honours Projects, Independent Study Modules and other modules of 30 credits or more) in Section 13.

Trouble-shooting guides:

How to do a screen capture:

Use this method to take screenshots from your online questionnaire and insert into your appendix. There is also a PDF version available: How to do a screen capture.pdf

Line numbering interview transcripts:

Table of Contents: tips and troubleshooting:

Troubleshooting page numbers:

APA Referencing- hanging indents:

Tips on using Tables in Word:

Tips on working with images in Word:

Email digitalskills@marjon.ac.uk if you would like to see a resource in this section.