lse dissertation extension

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Sofia Gerace

February 15th, 2022, writing a dissertation at lse: advice from a master’s student.

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

As part of your degree at LSE, you’re probably going to write a dissertation. Each department has different requirements and topics vary between the different disciplines taught at LSE. Anyway, after talking with some academics and some of my classmates, I thought that sharing some advice would help different students across different departments!

How to Find a Research Question

If you have no idea where to start doing your research, do not worry. You are not alone. I was feeling the same when started preparing my dissertation and I was afraid to be the only one struggling with coming up with a research question. But I can assure you that many other students do feel the same. Even my academic mentor told me so: “it is difficult for everyone at the beginning, but then, once you start, things will become easier”. The first thing to do is thinking of a topic that might be interesting to you. What do you enjoy reading about? What are the papers you find fascinating? What is an area that you would not get tired of reading about it? This is the key to start. The dissertation is a long project and you’d better work on a topic that you actually enjoy!

Reaching out to Academic Mentor and Other Professors 

If you have some ideas but you are not sure about it, do reach out to your academic mentor and other academics. Professors at LSE are used to deal with research questions and will be able to tell you whether your research idea works or if you need to improve it. Also, at LSE you will probably find professors who are experts in the field that you find interesting! Last week, I was reading about research conducted in a field I am interested in and discovered that the professor teaches at LSE. Long story short: I booked an office hour with him and he was happy to share his advice with me and help me with my research question.

Finally, do not forget to have a look at the events and teaching sessions organised by LSE LIFE ! They have many different services to help you with your academic studies and they are there to help you with the dissertation as well. They organise specific events about coming up with research questions and writing a dissertation’s proposal which you could find helpful!

About the author

I'm Sofia, an italian student at the LSE. Apart from being passionate about my MSc in Political Economy of Europe, I enjoy learning foreign languages, visiting new countries, and writing stories about my life as international student.

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Extension Request Form

Request an extension for summative coursework in the department of media and communications,  please read the following points carefully before submitting a request.

Students can apply for an extension if they experience circumstances which are sudden, unforeseen, out of the student’s own control and proximate to the assessment(s) in question.

1)  For students submitting 2023/24 assessments

• This section is for students submitting summative coursework for the current academic year 2023/24 only .
• If you are a student who wants to request an extension for a resit or deferred assessment, please see section 2 below. 
• The maximum length of extension is 14 days (two weeks) from the original deadline.  All requests will be considered, but for operational reasons, no extension longer than 14 days from the original deadline will be granted, and depending on the circumstances, shorter extensions (or no extension) may be agreed.
• The Department will require  documentary evidence  to approve extensions, so please refer to the  LSE Standards of Evidence  [PDF] document before uploading supporting documentation. If you cannot provide evidence at the time of your request, your extension may be  provisionally  approved, on the condition that you provide evidence within one calendar month of submitting your work.
• Extension requests must be submitted  at least 24 hours  before the deadline of the work for which the request is made.
• If you receive an extension and will not be able to submit your assessment by the new deadline, you should request to defer that assessment, which you can do on the  Deferral  webpage.
• Please email  [email protected]  if you have questions.

Please request an extension below

• Section 1: About you
• Name First name Last name
• Your 9-digit LSE student number (this can be found on your LSE ID card)
• Your 5-digit candidate number (this can be found on LSE For You)
• LSE email address
• Degree Programme Please select MSc Media and Communications MSc Media and Communications (Research) MSc Media and Communications (Data and Society) MSc Media and Communications (Governance) MSc Media, Communication and Development MSc Politics and Communication MSc Strategic Communication MSc Global Media and Communications (USC) MSc Global Media and Communications (Fudan) MSc Global Media and Communications (Cape Town) MSc Gender, Media and Culture Other (please enter below)
• Degree Programme (if not listed above)
• Who is your Dissertation Supervisor?
• Have you registered for My Adjustments with LSE's Disability and Wellbeing Service? Please select Yes No
• Section 2: About your extension(s)
• Course(s) MC421 MC424
• Current submission deadline
• Extension required Please select 3 days
• Please provide details of the reason for your request (Limit 350 characters)
• Are you able to submit evidence today for your extension? Please select Yes No
• Previous Page Next Page
• Section 3: Supporting Evidence
• Will you be able to submit supporting evidence at a later date? Please select Yes No I'm not sure
• Please explain why you cannot provide evidence at this time (Limit 350 characters)
• Please note that if you will not be able to obtain formal evidence, we will accept an email from your academic mentor or another member of LSE staff confirming the effect your circumstances have had on your studies. This can be emailed to [email protected] after you have submitted your work. I understand
• Upload supporting evidence here (Please do not upload images of injured body parts or bodily fluids)
• Section 4: Your privacy and final comments
• Your right to privacy is important to us. The personal information that you submit in this form will be used to assess your extension request. Please visit lse.ac.uk/privacy to read our Privacy Policy and learn more about how we collect and use information about you so that you can make an informed choice about using our website. By checking this box you confirm that you have read and agree to our Privacy Policy.
• Do you have any further comments? (Limit 350 characters)
• Previous Page

2)  For students submitting resit / deferred (RDAP) assessments

• This section is for students who are submitting  resit or deferred (RDAP) coursework assessments from previous academic years only.
• If you are a student who wants to request an extension for  summative   coursework from the current academic year 2023/24 , please see section 1 above. 
• Extensions are available for resit/deferred summative coursework  up to  a maximum of 3 days . All requests will be considered, but for operational reasons, no extension longer than 3 days will be granted, and depending on the circumstances, shorter extensions (or no extension) may be agreed.
• The Department will require  documentary evidence  to approve extensions, so please refer to the  LSE Standards of Evidence  [PDF] document before uploading supporting documentation. If you cannot provide evidence at the time of your request, your extension may be  provisionally  approved, on the condition that you provide evidence within one calendar month of your new deadline.
• If you receive an extension and will not be able to submit your assessment by the new deadline, you should request to defer that assessment, which you can do on the Deferral  webpage.

Please submit your extension request below

• Who is your Academic Mentor / Dissertation Supervisor?
• Courses MC401 MC402 MC403 MC407 MC408 MC409 MC411 MC416 MC418 MC419 MC420 MC421 MC422 MC423 MC424 MC425 MC426 MC427 MC428 MC429 MC430 MC431 MC432 MC433 MC434 MC435 MC436 MC437 MC438 MC439 MC499 MCM41 MC4M2 MC4M7 MC4M8
• Is this a deferred or resit assessment? Please select Deferred Resit

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LSE Law School

Assessment support and advice.

Your exams and assessments are a critical part of your time at LSE. Below is some key information to be aware of in relation to your assessments:

• Exam discipline and assessment misconduct – this outlines what is expected of you when you sit your assessments, assessment offences, late submission penalties and more.
• Becoming unwell during assessments – what you need to know and do if you become unwell during an assessment.
• Extensions, deferrals and exceptional circumstances
• LSE Standards of Evidence table   – this explains the type of evidence you would be expected to provide if you submit an application for an extension or deferral, or if you submit exceptional circumstances. 

Exam timetables

Publication of results, lse’s fit to sit policy.

The School has a “fit to sit” policy that applies to all students. If you submit an assessment, or sit an exam, the School considers you have declared yourself well enough to do so. If you experience disruption to your studies prior to the assessment (e.g. due to personal difficulties, crime, bereavement, illness etc.) you must think carefully about whether you should attempt it or whether you should apply for an extension or request to defer .  Please read on for further information about extensions and deferrals.

Extensions - Information on the policy

If something happens very close to your summative assessment deadline which means it will be impossible for you to submit your work on time, you may apply for an extension. Please remember that this is an application process and not a right.

Please read about the extensions policy BEFORE submitting an application:

• LSE Extensions Policy  – information about applying for an extension
• LSE Extensions Policy  – student guidance

Once you have read the above information and student guidance and if you believe your circumstances fulfil the criteria you may submit an extension request. Please remember that your circumstances must be sudden, unforeseen, out of your control and proximate to the assessment deadline in question, and that you must be able to demonstrate this in your request and evidence.

You will need to complete the Extension Application Form found here:

• Extension Application Form

For LLB please send your application form to  [email protected] . For LLM please send to  [email protected] .

Once you submit your application you will receive an acknowledgement from the Programmes Team and your application will be considered by a panel. Please remember to submit your application in good time, i.e. a minimum of 48 hours before the deadline, to give the Programmes Team and panel enough time to consider and process your request.

Extensions - Completing the application form and evidence

Section 3 of the Extension Application Form asks you to provide an explanation of your circumstances with the following instructions:

Please provide a brief explanation of why you are applying for an extension. Your circumstances must be sudden, unforeseen, out of your control and proximate to the assessment(s) in question. Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary. If you are able to provide any supporting evidence with this request, please list it here.

Please be aware of the following:

• Class teachers, course conveners and GTAs are not permitted to give extensions for summative assessments. You must submit your application, as stated above, to  [email protected]  or  [email protected] .
• Ensure you write your explanation carefully, demonstrating all the above criteria. A lot of applications we receive do not provide clear timelines for situations and therefore do not demonstrate proximity. So please provide dates and remember that if this is not clear your application will not be approved.
• Ensure you explain how your circumstances impacted your ability to submit your assessment on time. This must be clear otherwise your application will not be approved.
• Your application should be supported with evidence that meets the  LSE Standards of Evidence .
• Please remember the following information (taken from the  student guidance ) when submitting evidence. ‘ A letter written by an independent third party that simply repeats what you have informed them will not be sufficient . ….  Please make every effort to obtain independent corroboratory evidence of the impact upon you of your circumstances. It is best not to rely on statements of support from staff if possible’.
• Please do not submit an application and state that evidence will follow. We cannot consider an application until we receive ALL documentation.
• Ensure that all the evidence you submit in support of your application is dated.
• If you are granted an extension it will only be for a short period of time, ie, a few days.

Extensions - Decisions

Once the panel has reached a decision you will be notified of the outcome of your application. Please be aware that the decision you receive is final. The Law School would like to reassure students that every application is considered in a confidential and respectful manner. We also ask that students extend the same level of respect to our colleagues as has been afforded them in the application process.

Extensions - FAQs

Are there any circumstances where extensions will not be granted .

Yes. Extensions will NOT be granted for:

• interviews, assessment centres, internships, any form of part-time job or work placement
• any type of extra curricula activity
• IT problems in relation to either hardware or software including loss of IT equipment or work
• an assessment for which you have already received an extension (i.e. it is not possible to receive a further extension for the same assessment)
• submission deadlines that fall at the same time (i.e. when you have multiple assessments to submit, it is your responsibility to manage your workload accordingly)

What happens if I have My Adjustments (MA)?

If you have a MA recommending an extension for assessments, you will still be required to submit an Extension Request Form in good time, i.e. a minimum of 48 hours before the deadline.

If you have an MA that does not include any recommendation for extensions on assessments, you must submit an Extension Request Form and supporting evidence in good time, i.e. a minimum of 48 hours before the deadline.

Are there any assessments where I cannot get an extension?

Yes. Extensions will not be granted for assessments lasting 24 hours or less.

Submit your extension form here

Students have to sit their assessments in the same academic year in which they received their tuition. However, you might, under certain circumstances, be allowed to postpone one or more assessments to the next appropriate assessment opportunity. This process is called deferral.

Deferral requests are considered by the Student Services Centre and staff from the Law School are not involved in these decisions. All information you need to make a deferral can be found here .

Exceptional Circumstances

If having submitted an assessment or attempted an exam, you feel your performance was directly impacted by circumstances which are sudden, unforeseen and out of your control you should submit Exceptional Circumstances in order to allow the Exam Board to take your situation into account. To find out more about submitting Exceptional Circumstances please see this web page .

Exam procedures for candidates 2023/24

Assessment discipline and academic misconduct

Becoming unwell during assessments

How can we help?

Start typing key phrases like finances, studying, assessments or housing to see what help topics we have available.

Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch.

What can you do?

You can usually only apply for extensions on coursework or take-home exams with a deadline of long than 24 hours. The maximum extension is 50% of the original submission period, so if you initially had two weeks to submit the work, you could get an extension of one additional week at most.

You can also only apply for an extension after the assessment has been released. The school will always suggest that you defer your assessment if you are aware of the issues in advance. This is often a reason why extension requests are rejected.

How to apply

To apply for an extension, you should submit an Extension Request Form, along with any relevant evidence, making sure to detail why the situation you are experiencing will limit your ability to complete the assessment by the deadline. The form should be submitted to the relevant Sub-Board Chair for your department – the list and contact details can be found here . If you are unsure who to submit this to or would like to discuss your request, it would be worth contact either your Academic Adviser or Programme Administrator/Manager.

For more information, see the school’s Extension FAQ page.

Download Extension Request form (Opens in new tab) LSE Extension Policy (Opens in new tab)

What can we do?

If you have any questions about the process, please get in touch with our advisers who will be more than happy to help!

Where to find us

Saw Swee Hock Student Centre

[email protected]

020 7955 7158

Booking appointments

You can book an appointment via email or via the Student Hub website.

[email protected] Student Hub

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