The Dissertation is the culmination of the MA and the means of putting all the concepts, skills, and historical subject knowledge into practice. It is a piece of original work of 12,500-15,000 words, usually researched and written in the months following the submission of other coursework essays (so normally in June + July + August) but you should start thinking about your topic during the second half of Term 2 and consider possible supervisors from within the History Department.