6050FAQ

For the 6050CLS Project at Coventry Law School, the abstract is not included in the 8,000-word limit.

Breakdown:

• ✅ Included in word count: Main body of the dissertation (introduction, literature review, methodology, analysis, conclusion, etc.)
• ❌ Excluded from word count:
  • Abstract
  • Footnotes (used for referencing only)
  • Bibliography
  • Appendices

Make sure to double-check the module handbook or Aula page for any updates or specific instructions, as these can occasionally change.

Can I change my supervisor?

It is not normally possible to change supervisor. A great deal of time and care goes into the allocation of supervisors. The first and overwhelming consideration is the alignment between the chosen topic and the expertise of the supervisor. But consideration is also given to ensuring a fair allocation between supervisors (we cannot expect one supervisor to supervise 20 students!). The process is, therefore, a delicate balancing exercise.

Supervisor Changes Are Not Normally Permitted

The allocation process is carefully designed to match students with supervisors based on topic relevance and workload balance. Therefore:

1. Topic Changes
   • Not permitted at this stage. Students have had several months to refine their topic, and changes now would disrupt the supervision structure.
2. Supervisor Unavailability
   • If a supervisor becomes unavailable (e.g., due to illness or leave), the Project Supervisory Committee will reallocate a new supervisor.
   • You will be notified by email if this applies to you.
3. Communication Issues
   • If you’re experiencing difficulties in communication, please raise this directly with Dr Stuart MacLennan at
     📧 stuart.maclennan@coventry.ac.uk
4. Conflict of Interest
   • This is considered a valid reason for requesting a change and will be reviewed accordingly.

What should I do if I cannot get ahold of my supervisor?

📬 What to Do If Your Supervisor Isn’t Responding

1. Check for Out of Office Replies
   • Like everyone else, staff are entitled to time off – they may be on brief leave. Extended absences will usually have cover arrangements in place.
2. Wait Two Working Days Before Following Up
   • We’re all human! During busy teaching periods, emails can be missed or delayed.
   • If you emailed on Monday at 6pm, a follow-up on Thursday at 9am is appropriate.
3. Try Visiting During Office Hours
   • Office hours are posted on staff doors and usually listed on Aula.
   • A quick visit can often resolve things more efficiently.
4. Still No Response? Contact Dr MacLennan
   • If you’ve followed the steps above and still haven’t heard back, please contact:
     📧 stuart.maclennan@coventry.ac.uk

Important info:

1. Your word limit is 8,000 words, so it shouldn’t have too many chapters. As a rough guide I suggest an introduction, three substantive chapters, and a conclusion. This will obiously vary depending on your individual project and your supervisor is best placed to provide guidance.2. We do not normally recommend a literature review in a law dissertation. Perhaps a legal background chapter would be more appropriate.3. You should provide reasoned analysis, not personal opinions. Your analysis should be substantiated by your research and supported by authority. It is not unusual for the conclusions of a paper to differ from the personal opinions of the author.4. It depends what you mean. A good law dissertation will include a mix of both primary sources (statutes, treaties, case law, etc) and secondary sources (books, journal articles, official reports, etc). If you mean data collection (e.g. surveys, questionnaires, interviews, etc) this is not normally appropriate at undergrad or master’s levels, and would only normally be undertaken as part of a PhD programme or by a professional researcher.5. 16 April 2026, 18:00 UK time. (Only provide this info if asked specifically, but a 24 hour grace period exists to permit submission after the deadline, but you can only submit once during this period and it must be your full and final submission. It is not just an extra 24 hours to keep working – it exists in case of any unforeseen technical or personal circumstances which prevent a student from submitting already completed work by the deadline).6. A number of opportunities exist for you to submit drafts of work for feedback (we call these ‘Deliverables’). Links and deadlines are available on Aula. Supervisors may not review an entire draft of your work however.7. Failure to submit by the end of the deadline and grace period results in an automatic ‘0’.See this info on extenuating circumstances where submissions might be late: https://www.coventry.ac.uk/student-central/coventry/handbook/academic-regs/extenuating-circumstances/