acknowledgements master thesis

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Where Can I Get Help Writing My Thesis Online?

You’ve spent years preparing for your master’s degree or PhD. You’ve read, studied and spent hours of time and energy writing papers. Now you’ve arrived at the culmination of all this effort: writing your thesis. There are plenty of compelling stories about the time and energy that students have spent drafting their dissertations and theses.

The good news is that you’re not alone. While you certainly don’t want to hire someone to write your thesis for you, which goes against most institution policies and puts your academic integrity at risk, you can get plenty of help with certain aspects of your thesis online. Whether you’re looking for a little guidance or extensive assistance, various services can make writing or editing your thesis go smoothly.

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• Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

Published on May 3, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on July 18, 2023.

The acknowledgements section is your opportunity to thank those who have helped and supported you personally and professionally during your thesis or dissertation process.

Thesis or dissertation acknowledgements appear between your title page and abstract  and should be no longer than one page.

In your acknowledgements, it’s okay to use a more informal style than is usually permitted in academic writing , as well as first-person pronouns . Acknowledgements are not considered part of the academic work itself, but rather your chance to write something more personal.

To get started, download our step-by-step template in the format of your choice below. We’ve also included sample sentence starters to help you construct your acknowledgments section from scratch.

Download Word doc Download Google doc

Table of contents

Who to thank in your acknowledgements, how to write acknowledgements, acknowledgements section example, acknowledgements dos and don’ts, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the acknowledgements section.

Generally, there are two main categories of acknowledgements: professional and personal .

A good first step is to check your university’s guidelines, as they may have rules or preferences about the order, phrasing, or layout of acknowledgements. Some institutions prefer that you keep your acknowledgements strictly professional.

Regardless, it’s usually a good idea to place professional acknowledgements first, followed by any personal ones. You can then proceed by ranking who you’d like to thank from most formal to least.

• Chairs, supervisors, or defense committees
• Funding bodies
• Other academics (e.g., colleagues or cohort members)
• Editors or proofreaders
• Librarians, research/laboratory assistants, or study participants
• Family, friends, or pets

Typically, it’s only necessary to mention people who directly supported you during your thesis or dissertation. However, if you feel that someone like a high school physics teacher was a great inspiration on the path to your current research, feel free to include them as well.

Professional acknowledgements

It is crucial to avoid overlooking anyone who helped you professionally as you completed your thesis or dissertation. As a rule of thumb, anyone who directly contributed to your research process, from figuring out your dissertation topic to your final proofread, should be mentioned.

A few things to keep in mind include:

• Even if you feel your chair didn’t help you very much, you should still thank them first to avoid looking like you’re snubbing them.
• Be sure to follow academic conventions, using full names with titles where appropriate.
• If several members of a group or organization assisted you, mention the collective name only.
• Remember the ethical considerations around anonymized data. If you wish to protect someone’s privacy, use only their first name or a generic identifier (such as “the interviewees”)/

Personal acknowledgements

There is no need to mention every member of your family or friend group. However, if someone was particularly inspiring or supportive, you may wish to mention them specifically. Many people choose to thank parents, partners, children, friends, and even pets, but you can mention anyone who offered moral support or encouragement, or helped you in a tangible or intangible way.

Some students may wish to dedicate their dissertation to a deceased influential person in their personal life. In this case, it’s okay to mention them first, before any professional acknowledgements.

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After you’ve compiled a list of who you’d like to thank, you can then sort your list into rank order. Separate everyone you listed into “major thanks,” “big thanks,” and “minor thanks” categories.

• “Major thanks” are given to people who your project would be impossible without. These are often predominantly professional acknowledgements, such as your advisor, chair, and committee, as well as any funders.
• “Big thanks” are an in-between, for those who helped you along the way or helped you grow intellectually, such as classmates, peers, or librarians.
• “Minor thanks” can be a catch-all for everyone else, especially those who offered moral support or encouragement. This can include personal acknowledgements, such as parents, partners, children, friends, or even pets.

How to phrase your acknowledgements

To avoid acknowledgements that sound repetitive or dull, consider changing up your phrasing. Here are some examples of common sentence starters you can use for each category.

Note that you do not need to write any sort of conclusion or summary at the end. You can simply end the acknowledgements with your last thank you.

Here’s an example of how you can combine the different sentences to write your acknowledgements.

A simple construction consists of a sentence starter (in purple highlight ), followed by the person or entity mentioned (in green highlight ), followed by what you’re thanking them for (in yellow highlight .)

Acknowledgements

Words cannot express my gratitude to my professor and chair of my committee for her invaluable patience and feedback. I also could not have undertaken this journey without my defense committee, who generously provided knowledge and expertise. Additionally, this endeavor would not have been possible without the generous support from the MacArthur Foundation, who financed my research .

I am also grateful to my classmates and cohort members, especially my office mates, for their editing help, late-night feedback sessions, and moral support. Thanks should also go to the librarians, research assistants, and study participants from the university, who impacted and inspired me.

Lastly, I would be remiss in not mentioning my family, especially my parents, spouse, and children. Their belief in me has kept my spirits and motivation high during this process. I would also like to thank my cat for all the entertainment and emotional support.

• Write in first-person, professional language
• Thank your professional contacts first
• Include full names, titles, and roles of professional acknowledgements
• Include personal or intangible supporters, like friends, family, or even pets
• Mention funding bodies and what they funded
• Appropriately anonymize or group research participants or non-individual acknowledgments

Don’t:

• Use informal language or slang
• Go over one page in length
• Mention people who had only a peripheral or minor impact on your work

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In the acknowledgements of your thesis or dissertation, you should first thank those who helped you academically or professionally, such as your supervisor, funders, and other academics.

Then you can include personal thanks to friends, family members, or anyone else who supported you during the process.

Yes, it’s important to thank your supervisor(s) in the acknowledgements section of your thesis or dissertation .

Even if you feel your supervisor did not contribute greatly to the final product, you must acknowledge them, if only for a very brief thank you. If you do not include your supervisor, it may be seen as a snub.

The acknowledgements are generally included at the very beginning of your thesis , directly after the title page and before the abstract .

In a thesis or dissertation, the acknowledgements should usually be no longer than one page. There is no minimum length.

You may acknowledge God in your dissertation acknowledgements , but be sure to follow academic convention by also thanking the members of academia, as well as family, colleagues, and friends who helped you.

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• How to write an acknowledgement for a thesis
• Helpful ideas for writing a good thesis acknowledgement

What is your thesis acknowledgement?

Where to put it, decide who you will thank, choose your best tone to use, why is thesis acknowledgement so important, differences between your thesis acknowledgement and preface, use your best sample for acknowledgement for thesis, your professional thanks, your personal thanks, how to write this section, important teachers, other helpers, address your financial aid, personal supporters, concluding ideas, thesis acknowledgement examples, undergraduate thesis acknowledgement example, bachelor thesis acknowledgement example, master thesis acknowledgement example (template).

To successfully come up with your thesis acknowledgement, read this helpful guidance article or contact our pro writers to get  dissertation help . How to write an acknowledgement for a thesis? This section should be presented only to express your sincere gratitude to individuals who helped you in your work or paper writing.

In your paper, give credit in its preface, not in some other independent section. Be grateful for the advisor’s support or assistance you receive during your research from your university or people in your finished paper.

A simple thesis acknowledgement is your brief section at its beginning where you thank everyone who supported you during studies. How to acknowledge a thesis? This section shouldn’t be too long. Be polite to mention people or organizations that contributed to your thesis, don’t forget anyone important in your grateful words.

Post your comments with gratitude on a separate page right after your abstract and before contents. Take time to find answers to several important questions to end up with your best sample for acknowledgement for thesis writing:

• Who do you need to thank?
• What tone should you use?
• Why use a thesis acknowledgement?

You don’t need to thank every friend who assisted you individually, ensure that you mention everyone important for your research or who gave you significant support. Don’t forget to thank academics who gave you useful advice or assisted your study in different ways. Thank volunteers and professional bodies.

You should thank both formal and friendly, don’t use overblown language to note people who supported you and briefly explain their contributions to understand how to write an acknowledgement for a thesis.

There are different reasons to use it. Some students decide to write their acknowledgement section in thesis or dissertation projects because they were complex, while others include it because they worked hard for a long time. If many people have helped you during several years, you would like to reflect on them to show your gratitude. Who are these people? In a thesis acknowledgement, people often mention:

• Fellow students;
• Colleagues;
• Possible respondents;

The main purpose of having an acknowledgement page is offering a thankful note to those who provided support to you during the study. Well, consider it as a page saying thank you to your doctor after a lifesaving procedure. Note that though the thesis acknowledgement does not have an academic bearing, your dissertation cannot be complete without it. Therefore, you must not only know how to write a thesis , but also put the best foot forward to making it shine. Make sure to write the acknowledgement starting with the people who were most helpful during the study.

Using your preface and acknowledgement in your thesis simultaneously is redundant. How to make this choice? If you want to thank people and provide readers with extra information, write your preface. If you don’t have enough space, write your thesis acknowledgement.

In Ph.D. or senior thesis writing, you should give credit to the department, people, funding bodies in a separate acknowledgement section if they helped you during your project. Find excellent samples to thank people who supported you financially, gave you valuable feedbacks, helped in any other way. Your notes of thanks are your thesis acknowledgement.

Read requirements or guidelines to phrase this section correctly and avoid compromising your future grades, ask funding bodies for their rules to know how to credit their contribution. Consider these general elements.

• Your brief statement as to the type of help you received from people or organizations;
• Full names of all people who you want to thank.

Some academic disciplines require ethical clearance or permission.

As for the types - generally, there are two categories of acknowledgements: professional and personal.

It is wise to place the professional acknowledgements first, as there is a certain political aspect to keep in mind when writing. Read your list of all contributors to mention any academia members who helped you in writing this important paper. You have room only for major contributors. Though there is no set rule, the standard order is to move from most formal to least:

• Upper-level professors and supervisors;
• Different advisors;
• Librarians;
• Lab assistants;
• Classmates;
• Research participants (e.g. people who completed a survey to help you gather data).

Who else? Include in this important section anyone who helped you in conducting your experiments or surveys, researching, or writing. Use titles and full names of academic contributors. When thanking your friends, use their names. If many people within the same big group supported your writing, you should state only a specific group name.

Be sure to use full names, with titles. If several members of a group or organization assisted you, mention the collective name only. If you wish to protect someone’s privacy, use only their first name.

If an authoritative person in your field of study discussed your research with you or gave feedback in any form, mentioning their contribution, however limited it may have been, will help strengthen the authority of your own research.

Before you write anything, make your list of people who are linked to your project in any way. Some of them read or edit your paper, while others listen to your academic woes or encourage you regularly. Mention friends or family active in graduate studies.

If some people inspire or improve your work, their names should be included in your thesis acknowledgement section. State how they help you. This step will be meaningful to these people and they’ll be grateful to you for giving them credit for their work.

There is no need to mention every member of your family or friend group. However, if someone was particularly inspiring or supportive, you may wish to mention them specifically. For example, you might acknowledge a grandparent whose own academic pursuits encouraged your own.

Many students find it hard to include their personal writing in the end of important technical projects. Use your suitable form or tone. Make this page brief, professional, and specific to all people who supported your project along the way. Use an alphabetical order or other styles.

• Start with your important teachers;
• List other contributors;
• Address any financial aid you receive;
• Out personal or emotional supporters last.

Your most important teachers go first. Mention any major professors or advisors overseeing your project, committee members, other supervising academics who participate in your dissertation. Try to think in groups. Other helpers who deserve your gratitude include lab assistants, classmates, all people who helped you with this paper.

If you received any financial support from specific research groups or foundations that gave you any fellowship, grant, or scholarship, thank them by title. What about your personal supporters? Your partners, friends, or other acquaintances who contributed to your emotional well-being or confidence go last in this list. Avoid personal jokes or anecdotes.

Writing your grateful words is important to earn higher grades, and our thesis service can assist you with writing thesis acknowledgement. You can order this type of paper on our website. Let qualified and trained writing professionals help you thank people or organizations who supported your successful project completion.

First and foremost, I have to thank my research supervisors, [Ms Name Surname], [Mr Name Surname] and [Ms Name Surname]. Without their assistance and dedicated involvement in every step throughout the process, this paper would have never been accomplished. I would like to thank you very much for your support and understanding over these past four years. I would also like to show gratitude to my committee, including [Ms Name Surname], [Ms Name Surname], [Ms Name Surname], [Mr. Name Surname] and [Ms Name Surname]. [Ms Name Surname]was my first-year [subject] professor at [Name ]University. Her teaching style and enthusiasm for the topic made a strong impression on me and I have always carried positive memories of her classes with me. I discussed early versions of the [Name of the subject] with [Mr. Name Surname]. She raised many precious points in our discussion and I hope that I have managed to address several of them here. Even though I have not had the opportunity to work with [Mr. Name Surname], [Mr. Name Surname], or [Ms Name Surname], previously, the impact of their work on my own study is obvious throughout this dissertation. In March 2012, I went to [Name] University for several weeks to study with [Ms Name Surname]. My time at [Name] University has been highly productive and working with [Ms Surname] was an extraordinary experience. Much of the analysis presented in Section III is owed to my time at [Name of the University]. [Mr Name Surname] at the [Name] University kindly assisted me with the statistical analysis in this dissertation and was very patient with my knowledge gaps in the area. I must also thank two colleagues at the Department of [Name], [Name Surname] and [Name Surname], for giving me the retreat to have this thesis rushed to the printer. Getting through my dissertation required more than academic support, and I have many, many people to thank for listening to and, at times, having to tolerate me over the past three years. I cannot begin to express my gratitude and appreciation for their friendship. [Name Surname], Name Surname], [Name Surname] and [Name Surname] have been unwavering in their personal and professional support during the time I spent at the University. For many memorable evenings out and in, I must thank everyone above as well as [Name Surname], [Name Surname] and [Name Surname]. I would also like to thank [Name Surname] who opened both her home and heart to me when I first arrived in the city. Most importantly, none of this could have happened without my family. My grandmother, who offered her encouragement through phone calls and letters every week – despite my own limited devotion to correspondence. With her own brand of humor, [Name Surname] has been kind and supportive to me over the last several years. To my parents and my sister – it would be an understatement to say that, as a family, we have experienced some ups and downs in the past three years. Every time I was ready to quit, you did not let me and I am forever grateful. This dissertation stands as a testament to your unconditional love and encouragement.

Prima facie, I am grateful to God for the good health and wellbeing that were necessary to complete this book. I wish to express my sincere thanks to [………], Principal of the Faculty, for providing me with all the necessary facilities for the research. I place on record, my sincere thank you to […….] Dean of the Faculty, for the continuous encouragement. I am also grateful to […….], lecturer, in the Department of […….]. I am extremely thankful and indebted to him for sharing expertise, and sincere and valuable guidance and encouragement extended to me. I take this opportunity to express gratitude to all of the Department faculty members for their help and support. I also thank my parents for the unceasing encouragement, support and attention. I am also grateful to my partner who supported me through this venture. I also place on record, my sense of gratitude to one and all, who directly or indirectly, have lent their hand in this venture.

I would first like to thank my thesis advisor [title] [Name Surname] of the [School / Faculty name] at [University name]. The door to Prof. [Last name] office was always open whenever I ran into a trouble spot or had a question about my research or writing. He/She consistently allowed this paper to be my own work, but steered me in the right direction whenever he thought I needed it. I would also like to thank the experts who were involved in the validation survey for this research project: [List professional Titles, Name and Surnames of the experts who participated/contributed]. Without their passionate participation and input, the validation survey could not have been successfully conducted. I would also like to acknowledge [title] [Name Surname] of the [School / Faculty name] at [University name] as the second reader of this thesis, and I am gratefully indebted to his/her for his/her very valuable comments on this thesis. Finally, I must express my very profound gratitude to my parents and to my [partner, spouse, girl/boyfriend] for providing me with unfailing support and continuous encouragement throughout my years of study and through the process of researching and writing this thesis. This accomplishment would not have been possible without them. Thank you. Author [Name Surname]

Now that you know all the details, it's time to prepare for a final defense . We wish you to nail your defense and earn your degree effort-free!

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Acknowledgement Letter

Get All Types Of Acknowledgement Samples.

Master Thesis Acknowledgement Sample

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If you are looking for some master thesis acknowledgement sample’ s, then here you will get a few samples & a detailed guide on it.

Writing a master’s thesis can be a daunting and time-consuming task, but it’s important to remember to take a moment to acknowledge the people who helped you along the way. Acknowledgements in a master’s thesis serve as a way to thank those who have supported you during your studies and research.

When writing your acknowledgement, it’s important to be sincere and heartfelt. Start by thanking your advisor, who likely played a key role in your research and writing process. You should also consider thanking any other members of your thesis committee, as well as any colleagues or mentors who provided guidance or support.

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If you conducted your research at an organization or with the help of any resources, be sure to express your gratitude to those who made it possible. You should also consider thanking any friends or family members who supported you during this process, as they likely played a crucial role in helping you stay motivated and on track.

Finally , don’t forget to thank the participants in your study. Without their contribution, your research would not have been possible.

Overall, the acknowledgement section of your master’s thesis is an important way to show appreciation for those who have helped you along the way. Be sure to take the time to express your gratitude in a sincere and heartfelt way.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my advisor, _______ [Advisor Name], for their invaluable guidance and support throughout my master’s program. Their expertise and encouragement helped me to complete this research and write this thesis.

I would also like to thank _______ [Name] and _______ [Name] for serving on my thesis committee and providing helpful feedback and suggestions.

I am grateful to ______ [Name] for providing me with the opportunity to conduct my research at ______ [Organization Name], and for all of the resources and support they provided.

I would also like to thank my friends and family for their love and support during this process. Without them, this journey would not have been possible.

Finally, I would like to thank all of the participants in my study for their time and willingness to share their experiences. This work would not have been possible without their contribution.

Acknowledgement For Master Thesis

I am deeply grateful to my advisor, _______ [Advisor Name], for their unwavering support and guidance throughout my master’s program. Their expertise and patience have been invaluable to me and have played a crucial role in the success of this thesis.

I am grateful to [Organization] for providing me with the opportunity to conduct my research and for all of the resources and support they provided. I would like to extend a special thanks to [Name], who went above and beyond to help me with my work.

I would also like to thank [Name] for serving on my thesis committee and providing valuable feedback and suggestions. Their insights and guidance were instrumental in helping me to shape my research and write this thesis.

I am deeply thankful to my friends and family for their love and support during this process. Without their encouragement and motivation, I would not have been able to complete this journey.

I would also like to thank my colleagues at [Organization] for their support and collaboration during my research. In particular, I would like to thank [Name] for their help with [specific task] and [Name] for their assistance with [specific task].

Finally, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all of the participants in my study. Their willingness to share their experiences and insights has been invaluable to my research and has helped to make this thesis a success. Thank you for your time and contribution.

I am grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout this process. Without your help and guidance, this thesis would not have been possible.

Master Thesis Acknowledgement Sample PDF

Some Tips To Write A Good Master Thesis Acknowledgment

Here are some tips for writing a good acknowledgment for your master’s thesis:

• Keep it brief: Your acknowledgement should be brief and to the point. You don’t need to go into great detail about everyone who has helped you.
• Be specific: Make sure to mention specific people or organizations that have helped you. For example, “I would like to thank Professor XYZ for her invaluable guidance and support throughout my research.”
• Show gratitude: Make sure to express your appreciation to those who have helped you. For example, “I am deeply grateful to my advisors, Professor XYZ and Professor ABC, for their guidance and support throughout my research.”
• Use proper formatting: Follow the guidelines of your university or department for formatting your acknowledgement.
• Use a personal tone: While you should maintain a professional tone, it’s okay to use a more personal tone in your acknowledgement. This is your chance to express your appreciation to those who have helped you, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through.
• Keep it in order: Consider organizing your acknowledgement in importance or the amount of help each person provided.
• Proofread: Make sure to proofread your acknowledgement for spelling and grammar errors. It’s important to make a good impression with your writing, even in the acknowledgement section.

Read Also: How To Write Acknowledgement For Research Paper

In conclusion, writing a master’s thesis acknowledgement is a way to show appreciation to the people who have helped and supported you during the research and writing process. It is a way to thank them for their time, effort, and guidance, and to recognize the important role they played in the success of your work.

By taking the time to express your gratitude, you can not only show your appreciation, but also strengthen your relationships with those who helped you. So take a moment to reflect on the people who have contributed to your journey, and consider including them in your acknowledgement section as a way to say thank you.

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The Savvy Scientist

Experiences of a London PhD student and beyond

Thesis acknowledgements: Samples and how to write your own thesis or dissertation acknowledgements

Writing a thesis can be tricky. That’s why I’m starting a new series covering each section of the thesis, from thesis acknowledgements all the way to conclusions. I’ll be guiding you through the whole process, from what to include in your thesis to how to write it, along with examples from defended theses to help you to write your own.

We’ll begin by covering thesis acknowledgments. The acknowledgements section appears at the start of the thesis so it is often one of the first parts that everyone tries to tackle. As this will likely be your first taste of your thesis it can often feel quite intimidating to write!

Thankfully it’s also one of the easiest parts of the thesis to complete, which may help to give you a boost for the rest.

In this post we’ll cover everything to do with thesis acknowledgements: samples, what to include and how to write them. At the end I’ll also outline a 60 minute exercise which will get you preparing a first draft of your own!

I’m writing this post with a PhD thesis in mind but it could work just as well if you’re looking for help including acknowledgements in your Master’s or undergraduate thesis/ dissertation.

What is the purpose of the acknowledgements section in a thesis?

The acknowledgements section of your thesis is an opportunity to reflect on the people who have supported and shaped your PhD experience.

Don’t worry, although your examiners will be interested to read your acknowledgements section, you won’t really get judged on it in your PhD viva. This section is for you to share as little, or as much, as you want about everyone involved in your PhD journey.

The acknowledgements are a very personal section of your thesis and each PhD student will have different things they want to include. For example, many people wonder: How do I thank my family in a thesis? And the acknowledgements section is the answer!

Note – You can also use a thesis dedication to thank your family. This is a separate section to your thesis acknowledgements and is entirely optional. It’s usually just a single line, just like you might find at the front of some books. Most people don’t include a separate dedication section but you can if you want to go that extra step.

What to include in your thesis acknowledgements

There are usually no formal requirements dictating what to include in your acknowledgements. However, do double check for any potential rules at your specific institution.

In general the acknowledgements are the section of your thesis where you have some creative liberty and are not bound by rigid research protocols or guidelines.

Many students choose to use the acknowledgements section to thank people (or organisations) who:

• Introduced them to the topic
• Helped with their PhD application
• Funded the project
• Supervisors
• Technicians
• Partners, friends or family
• Or anyone else who made an impression along the way!

But remember, you can include whatever you want! For example in my own PhD acknowledgements, which you’ll read further down this post, I thanked the university for providing a green outdoor space for us.

Acknowledge whoever and whatever influenced your own PhD experience.

You may find it helpful to start by writing a list of everyone you wish to thank.

How do you write an acknowledgements section?

Since there are no guidelines to worry about, it is really up to you how you write your own thesis acknowledgements. You have a lot of freedom for what to include and how to write it.

However you may find the following suggested phases helpful as a starting point.

Who you want to thank…

• “First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to…”
• “I must thank…”
• “A special thanks to…”
• “I would like to highlight two truly exceptional people from…”
• “I want to thank…”
• “In addition, I would like to mention”
• “I would also like to extend my thanks to…”
• “I want to give my deepest appreciation to…”
• “Finally, but the most importantly, I would like to thank…”

…then, why you want to thank them

It can be nice to also include why you’re thanking these people, using phrases such as:

• “…for the opportunity to be a part of this project”
• “…for always being there when I needed his support, reviewing my progress constantly, and guiding me through my PhD studies”
• “….for being a great bunch of people in and out of the lab”
• …”for all the guidance, support and outstanding feedback”
• “… who took their time to help teach me…”
• “…for her unlimited support and unconditional guidance during my PhD journey”
• “…were always there for discussions about anything that I was unsure on”
• “…whom has offered invaluable advice that will benefit me throughout my life”
• “…for supporting me since my undergraduate, and for the valuable discussions we had along the road”
• “…for making the past 4 years much more enjoyable and keeping me sane throughout the whole process”

Here is a whole example from an accepted PhD thesis:

Firstly, I want to thank [supervisor’s name(s)] for giving me the opportunity to work on this project, providing valuable guidance and feedback, and challenging me to grow as a scientist.  Excerpt from Dr Wane’s thesis acknowledgements, available via this page or use this direct download link .

Some people will choose to use full names and titles for any professional acknowledgements and first names for any personal ones. Again, this is up to you.

To help illustrate the variety of thesis acknowledgement formats, we’ll shortly be coming on to some examples of acknowledgment sections from successfully defended theses.

Before then I want to cover some of the main questions relating to how to write your own thesis acknowledgements section:

How long should you spend writing your thesis acknowledgements?

My suggestion is to spend only an hour or two making a first draft. I suggest doing this well ahead of your final deadline so that you have time to come back to it. Even so, I’d certainly look to spend far less than one day’s work on it in total.

It is a “nice to have” and means a lot to a lot of people, but remember you’re really only writing this section for yourself. I probably spent about two hours writing mine in total, simply because it wasn’t a priority for me.

What order should you write your acknowledgements in?

A typical way to write your acknowledgements is to go from the most formal/academic relationships to the least.

It is normal to start with any funding bodies, then formal people like your PhD supervisors, then move through labmates, friends and family. But again, there are generally no rules!

How long should the acknowledgements section be?

You can include as much or as little as you want. My own PhD acknowledgements section was just under a page long and it consisted of 386 words or 1892 characters (without spaces).

Here is how it was formatted:

But let’s not just look at my thesis. Using Imperial’s publicly accessible database I went through 25 published PhD theses for you.

The average (mean) length of these 25 theses was 365 words and 1793 characters without spaces. Writing an acknowledgements section of length 350-450 words was the most common:

The shortest acknowledgements sections was 122 words(653 characters) long. The longest one consisted of 1022 words and 5082 characters. Hopefully this illustrates that you’re not really bound by any limits. Write as much or as little as you want for this section.

Sample thesis acknowledgements

My own phd thesis acknowledgement.

My own PhD thesis is available here *, the acknowledgements section is on page 5. Here is the complete version of my acknowledgements section:

I would like to acknowledge both EPSRC and the Class of 1964 Scholarship for their financial support. It has been an honour to be the inaugural recipient of the Class of 1964 Scholarship and I am indebted to the donors in providing me complete academic freedom in this research. An immense thank you to my PhD supervisors: Jonathan Jeffers, Ulrich Hansen and Julian Jones. Support and guidance throughout the project from you all has been invaluable. JJ in particular you’ve been a fantastic primary supervisor. Thank you to all the academics who helped me get to this stage. The late Dr Kajal Mallick and his Biomedical Materials course at the University of Warwick was a huge influence and without which I would have never followed this path. My “pre-doc” supervisors in Dr Helen Lee of University of Cambridge and in particular the remarkable Prof Judith Hall OBE of Cardiff University from whom I learned so much. Thanks to Alison Paul and Michael Lim for being so supportive when I was considering applying for PhDs. It has been an amazing experience working between two research groups across different departments, thanks to everyone from the Biomechanics and JRJ groups I’ve worked with and from whom I’ve learned so much. Thank you of course to the Hybrids team I’ve worked so closely on this project with: Fra, Gloria, Agathe, Maria, Silvia, it’s been great fun working with you all! Gloria in particular thanks for you all your help, support and friendship: your inclusivity is appreciated by many. Saman, I’ve been so pleased to have you working on DVC with me and being able to discuss ideas with you really has been invaluable. I am grateful to everyone I’ve collaborated with externally: Farah, Amin and Brett (Natural History Museum) plus Andy and Behzad (Royal Veterinary College), thank you all for your support and input. Thanks also to everyone I’ve met through the Environmental Society at Imperial in particular Chelcie: your friendship and support have added a lot to my life. Thanks to Imperial for providing space for the ESoc garden, taking a break and enjoy nature in this space has certainly improved my work. Thanks of course to my family for their support. Finally, thank you Jo for always being so supportive and helping me every step of the way. My PhD thesis, available here . Acknowledgements are on page 5.

*For me the thesis was a means to an end. I wanted my PhD and didn’t want to spend too long agonising over each page. Therefore, it is possible there are typos in there, if you read any of it: firstly well done, I haven’t looked at it much since submitting the final copy, secondly, please don’t tell me about any typos you find!

Other PhD thesis acknowledgement examples

Below are the other 24 published and openly accessible STEM PhD theses I found for this article.

For each person’s thesis, either follow the first link to be taken to the landing page or follow the second link to directly download their thesis: I gave you a choice in case you don’t want stuff to start downloading automatically from a random text link!

The list is formatted as follows:

• [Link to thesis page on repository], [which page the acknowledgements appear on], [direct link to download the thesis]
• Dr Shipman’s thesis , for the acknowledgements go to page 3. Direct download here .
• Longest acknowledgements section of the list at 1022 words.
• Dr Li’s thesis , page 11. Direct download here .
• Dr Podgurschi’s thesis , page 5. Direct download here .
• Dr Medjeral-Thomas’ thesis page 3. Direct download here .
• Dr Sztuc’s thesis , page 5. Direct download here .
• Dr Yap’s thesis , page 5. Direct download here .
• Dr Sukkar’s thesis , page 9. Direct download here .
• Dr Lo’s thesis , page 11. Direct download here .
• Dr Sullivan’s thesis , page 5. Direct download here .
• Dr Tawy’s thesis , page 3. Direct download here .
• Dr Wane’s thesis , page 2. Direct download here .
• Dr Addison’s thesis , page 4. Direct download here .
• Dr Wang’s thesis , page 5. Direct download here .
• Dr Sebest’s thesis , page 3. Direct download here .
• Dr Hopkins’ thesis , page 7. Direct download here .
• Dr Bates’s thesis , page 4. Direct download here .
• Dr Somuyiwa’s thesis , page 6. Direct download here .
• Dr Reynolds’ thesis , page 5. Direct download here .
• My labmate’s thesis, who wrote the acknowledgements in a different style to the rest by using bullet points.
• Shortest acknowledgements section of the list at 122 words.
• Dr Manca’s thesis , acknowledgements on page 5. Direct download here .
• Dr Liu’s thesis , page 5. Direct download here .
• Dr Hotinli’s thesis , page 7. Direct download here .

My top tips for writing your own thesis acknowledgements

• Don’t spend too long on them. The acknowledgements section is really not worth spending too much time on. Even worse, since they appear at the start of your thesis, it is tempting to write your acknowledgements first. This can be fine, or, it can be an opportunity for lots of unnecessary procrastination. Which I why I instead suggest that you…
• Write your acknowledgements at the end of your first draft of the thesis. There is no need to write your thesis in the order it is presented. If you write your acknowledgements at the end you’ll be less likely to spend precious time on a section which really doesn’t warrant too much brain power.
• Don’t stress about it. The acknowledgements are merely for yourself and for anyone close to you that you want to thank. There are far more important sections for you to be particular about!
• Remember: You can make changes after you submit the copy for your viva. As with everything in your thesis, you can make changes after you submit the thesis for your viva. The real “final” copy is when you submit your thesis to the university for archiving. Which is even more reason to not spend too much time writing it the first time around.

Draft your own thesis or dissertation acknowledgements in 60 minutes

Hopefully you now feel inspired to start writing your own thesis acknowledgments!

For the exercise below I’d suggest setting a stop-watch on your phone and move on to the next section when the alarm goes, even if you’ve not fully finished. The aim is to have a rough draft at the end which you can polish off at a later point in time.

• Read a few of the example thesis acknowledgements above to get a feel for the structure ( 15 mins )
• List everyone (or everything!) you wish to thank – including any personal and professional acknowledgements in addition to funding bodies if relevant ( 10 mins )
• Decide on a rough order in which to thank them ( 5 mins )
• Craft some sentences using the phrases mentioned above ( 30 mins )

Congratulations you’re now well on your way to having one section of your PhD thesis completed!

I hope this post has been useful for constructing your own thesis or dissertation acknowledgements. It is the first in a series of posts aiming to help your thesis writing by delving into each section in depth. Be sure to let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for other content which you would find useful.

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5 inspiring PhD thesis acknowledgement examples

Crafting a PhD thesis acknowledgement can be a challenging task, but it can also be an enjoyable one. There are no strict rules or guidelines to follow, allowing for creative freedom. However, seeking inspiration from sample acknowledgements can greatly assist in initiating your own writing process. Here are five PhD thesis acknowledgement examples!

PhD thesis acknowledgement example 1

Phd thesis acknowledgement example 2, phd thesis acknowledgement example 3, phd thesis acknowledgement example 4, phd thesis acknowledgement example 5.

I started my PhD just before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, a period that presented numerous challenges and uncertainties. Nonetheless, I made it to the finish line! I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the exceptional individuals who supported and guided me throughout this transformative journey, enabling me to successfully obtain my doctorate despite the many unforeseen obstacles that arose.

First and foremost, I would like to thank my PhD supervisors, Prof. Xiu Ling and Prof. Frederic Semoas. Their constant support, guidance, and encouragement have been invaluable throughout the entire process. From the initial stages of refining my research proposal to the final submission of my thesis, their unwavering presence and wealth of wisdom have been instrumental in shaping my academic growth. I highly valued the biweekly meetings we held, which not only served as crucial checkpoints to keep me on track academically, but also provided me with plenty of encouragement. I am profoundly grateful for the immeasurable contributions they made to my development.

In addition to my supervisors, I am indebted to my exceptional lab mates, whose support has been a constant source of motivation. Our collaborative writing sessions and informal chats, whether conducted via screens during lockdowns or in person whenever circumstances allowed, provided a lifeline during the most challenging times. I am proud to say that we became more than just lab partners, but good friends. Paul, thanks for always providing a steady supply of cookies that brought much-needed sweetness to our intense work sessions. Ina, your late-night phone calls helped me to keep my self-doubt in check. And Valeria, your enthusiasm and upbeat character made spending long hours in the lab an enjoyable experience.

Among the most memorable highlights of my PhD journey was the opportunity to participate in the Applied Chemistry Summer School in Belfast. This enriching experience would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of Dr. Simone and Dr. Erek. I am deeply grateful for the knowledge, connections, and friendships that were forged during that time.

Lastly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family whose belief in my abilities and support. Your encouragement played an integral role in my accomplishments. To my mom, dad, and Maria: Thank you for everything. I dedicate this PhD thesis to you.

It takes a village to raise a child” is a well-known proverb, and I strongly believe that completing a PhD also requires the support of a village. Therefore, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the people who played significant roles in my PhD journey.

First and foremost, I would like to thank my supervisor, Patricia Renault. Your exceptional academic expertise, coupled with your commitment to support early career researchers truly make you a role model in the often competitive realm of academia. Your guidance and encouragement have been invaluable .

I would also like to express my gratitude to my PhD thesis committee members: Prof. Dr. Hels, Prof. Dr. Frontstotten, Dr. Buwo, and Dr. Luis. Thank you for your time and effort, reading the 284 pages of my thesis thesis for providing valuable feedback and thought-provoking questions. Your insights have greatly enriched the quality of my work.

Furthermore, I want to thank all the interviewees who generously shared their thoughts and life stories for my research. Without your willingness to participate, my thesis would not have been possible.

A special appreciation goes to my colleagues and peers at the Department of Anthropology. Engaging in stimulating academic exchanges with all of you while maintaining a personal connection has been truly enriching.

Lastly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my wife. Thank you for always being my rock, accompanying me through the highs and lows of this academic journey. Your support and belief in me have been a source of strength and motivation.

When I embarked on my PhD journey five years ago, little did I know the profound experiences that lay ahead. Fulfilling my long-held dream of pursuing a PhD, time seemed to pass swiftly as I immersed myself in the world of academia. Transitioning from several years in professional practice back to the university environment was both daunting and exhilarating.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of an exceptional research institute that provides deep insights into seismology. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to my advisor, Prof. Dr. Daniels Selwas, for generously sharing his extensive academic knowledge and playing a pivotal role in helping me establish myself within the academic community. I am truly thankful for his firm yet compassionate guidance, which not only facilitated significant contributions to publications during my PhD but also opened doors I never thought possible.

Undoubtedly, pursuing a PhD presented its fair share of challenges. Early on, I encountered setbacks when some of my experiments failed, leading me to readjust my research proposal in my second year. However, what initially appeared as hurdles eventually revealed themselves as blessings in disguise. These challenges allowed me to refocus my efforts on seismic tomography, a subject that ignited a genuine passion within me. I apologize to everyone who patiently endured my enthusiastic ramblings about my research!

During my third and fourth years, I had the privilege of working as a teaching assistant for Prof. Susan Meyers. This role introduced me to the immensely fulfilling world of teaching, from which I gained invaluable knowledge and insights. Prof. Meyers provided exceptional guidance and unwavering support throughout my teaching endeavors.

As I diligently worked on documenting my research results, the small breaks organized by my best friend Andy became cherished highlights after long days of writing. These rejuvenating moments kept me motivated and inspired to persevere.

As I bring my five-year-long PhD journey to a close, I can genuinely say that I am immensely proud of my accomplishments. This transformative journey has not only shaped me as a researcher but also as an individual, imparting the invaluable lesson that perseverance yields fruitful rewards in the long run. The unwavering commitment and determination displayed by those around me have profoundly influenced my character.

My greatest aspiration is that my research proves beneficial and contributes to a better understanding of earthquakes. The drive to advance knowledge in this field continues to fuel my motivation and determination. I am deeply grateful to all the individuals mentioned, as none of this would have been possible without their guidance and encouragement. I am excited to see what the future holds.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” —Dr. Seuss

This quote has always resonated with me, but as I approach the end of my PhD, its profound meaning has taken on new significance in my life.

Throughout my PhD journey, I have been fortunate to explore various places and experiences. Moving to Chicago, I had the privilege of joining an exceptional literature department, surrounded by individuals who share a deep passion for reading. Relocating to a new city on my own was challenging, but fate led me to forge a wonderful friendship with my flat mate, Loreen. Loreen, I am grateful for your companionship and support from the very beginning of my PhD.

Furthermore, I cannot envision a better PhD supervisor than Dr. Molly Glours. Her countless feedback and guidance have played a pivotal role in refining my academic writing and sharpening my arguments. Molly, your unwavering passion for literature is truly inspiring, and I aspire to follow in your footsteps one day.

My academic journey has also taken me to conferences in Canada and Belgium, marking my first experiences in Europe. Beyond the intellectually stimulating discussions, these trips have provided unforgettable adventures for a small-town girl from the Midwest.

Participating in a three-minute research pitch competition not only pushed me beyond my comfort zone but also introduced me to an incredible partner, Joshua. It is remarkable how life leads us to unexpected places and introduces us to remarkable people when we least expect it.

My research has also led me to the Chicago Public Library, where I had the opportunity to work with children’s reading clubs as part of my fieldwork. This collaboration has been incredibly rewarding, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to George Newton and Immania Hikale for making this partnership possible.

Finally, I would like to thank my family. Mom, your tireless work and unwavering commitment to provide for Joan and me while always emphasizing the value of education have made a profound impact on my journey. From those early hours spent in the library together, you instilled in me a deep love for reading. Completing a PhD in comparative literature feels like the natural culmination of our shared journey, and I hope you are aware of and proud of the significant role you have played in shaping my path.

Grandma and Grandpa, you made immense sacrifices and worked tirelessly to provide a better life for your children and grandchildren. Look how far we have come! Your dedication and resilience continue to inspire me as I reflect on my achievements.

Completing a PhD is a monumental achievement, and I still find it hard to believe that I have reached this milestone. I want to raise a toast to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey with me.

First and foremost, I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Professor Dr. Suna Shikrati, who has been instrumental in my success over the past four years. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the guidance and mentorship of such a highly respected academic.

To Katie, Felicitas, Aron, Xime, and Andy – you are the best PhD crew in the entire department. Together, we have navigated the challenges and celebrated the triumphs, and I am grateful to have had you by my side.

Sonya, words cannot express how much your unwavering belief in me has meant. You have been my biggest cheerleader throughout this journey, and I cannot thank you enough for your love and support.

Lastly, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to coffee and my dog Ben. Coffee has fueled countless late nights and early mornings, providing the necessary jolt to keep me going. And Ben, my loyal companion, you have been my faithful reminder to take breaks, dragging me away from my computer and insisting on regular outdoor excursions.

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How to write acknowledgements for a thesis

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What is an acknowledgement and what is its purpose?

The acknowledgement section is one of the sections of a bachelor’s or master’s thesis, dissertation, research paper, etc. destined to show your appreciation of the persons who took part in your research, contributed to your project, or provided any kind of support. In other words, this section is a way for the author to say a thank you to all those whose contribution they recognise as important.

How to write the acknowledgement section for a PhD thesis or dissertation

We are going to provide the basic guidelines below but please make sure to review the style guide of your university or department, as each institution might have some specific requirements as regards the contents and/or formatting of the acknowledgement section in your thesis.

So, here are several key recommendations for writing the acknowledgement section.

Whom to thank in the acknowledgement

This is up to you to decide whom to acknowledge. Select those persons who indeed contributed to your research or helped you perform your duties. In general, there are two main groups of persons to consider: professionals and personal acquaintances.

Professional acknowledgements

You can say a thank you to your:

• Thesis supervisor.
• Thesis opponents.
• Co-authors of your scientific papers.
• Research participants.
• Colleagues.
• Companies providing funding.
• Any other individuals or entities who anyhow contributed to the effective process of writing the dissertation.

Acknowledging the contribution of professionals is important from the perspective of academic integrity but also in terms of scientific ethics.

When addressing professionals, make sure to write their names in full and include their titles (e.g. associate professor at the Department…, PhD , etc.). This is important for identifying the contributors unequivocally. At the same time, it also makes your research look more credible and professional.

Personal acknowledgements

These include any persons other than professionals whom you would like to thank, e.g.:

• Parents or relatives (father/mother, grandparents, husband/wife, children, etc.).
• People who inspired or supported you.

Do not include any personal details, except the first name and last name (e.g. avoid giving the age, the place of living, etc.).

Language and style

The acknowledgement section differs from the rest of your PhD thesis, as it does not relate directly to the research, is addressing your readers, and thus can be less formal.

• Keep your language simple. Avoid complex and long phrases. Keep everything simple and straightforward.
• Your writing can be more informal. In the acknowledgement section, you can use more appealing and emotive language. Furthermore, you can use sentences in the first person (while you should use the impersonal or the passive form when presenting the results of your research in the body of your thesis).
• Remain within the academic framework. While the acknowledgement section is more informal, do not push too hard and remain within the framework of academic writing.
• Do not use dotted lists for names. Mention all the persons in sentences, do not present their names as dotted or numbered lists.

Length of the acknowledgement section

Your acknowledgement section should never be too long. As a rule, it should be at most 1 page. Do not try to overextend this section if less is sufficient for thanking your contributors.

Where to put the acknowledgement in the thesis

Most often, your acknowledgement goes after the abstract and before the table of contents or between the declaration and the table of contents. Please check the guidelines of your university or department.

Structure of the acknowledgement section

While it is up to you to choose (remember that your university might also have some guidelines for this), we can generally recommend the following structure for your acknowledgement:

• Brief introduction (one or a few sentences: why you are writing this section and why you need to acknowledge someone).
• Gratitude to your supervisor.
• Recognition of the other professional contributors.
• Recognition of personal supporters.

Thesis acknowledgement examples

Here are a few sample acknowledgements to give you an idea of how you can do it in your thesis.

Sample acknowledgement – supervisors

First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisors who guided, instructed, and motivated me. Your feedback allowed me deepening and refining my research, and the results presented in my thesis would be impossible without your supervision.

Sample acknowledgement – companies and entities

I would like to acknowledge the financial and organisational support provided by Company X. I would also like to thank the Economics Department of University Y for the technical support.

Sample acknowledgement – individuals and relatives

Finally, I express my profound gratitude to my beloved husband James who continuously supported me, sacrificed his time, and always believed in me.

• Write the acknowledgement section in the end – once you have written the body of your thesis and have completed your research. This will allow avoiding redundant work.
• While the acknowledgement section is important, remember that the main part is the body of your thesis. In addition to running an in-depth research and achieve academic results, you also need to reference correctly the sources you have used. This is where Grafiati can help you: use our service to get perfect references, avoid unintentional plagiarism, and cite your sources correctly.

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• Acknowledgements for PhD Thesis and Dissertations – Explained
• Doing a PhD

The Purpose of Acknowledgements

The acknowledgement section of a thesis or dissertation is where you recognise and thank those who supported you during your PhD. This can be but is not limited to individuals, institutions or organisations.

Although your acknowledgements will not be used to evaluate your work, it is still an important section of your thesis. This is because it can have a positive (or negative for that matter) influence the perception of your reader before they even reach the main body of your work.

Who Should I Acknowledge?

Acknowledgements for a PhD thesis will typically fall into one of two categories – professional or personal.

Within these categories, who you thank will ultimately be your decision. However, it’s imperative that you pay special attention to the ‘professional’ group. This is because not thanking someone who has played an important role in your studies, whether it be intentional or accidental, will more often than not be seen as a dismissal of their efforts. Not only would this be unfair if they genuinely helped you, but from a certain political aspect, it could also jeopardise any opportunities for future collaborations .

Professional Acknowledgements

This may include, but is not limited to:

• Funding bodies/sponsorship providers
• Supervisors
• Research group and lab assistants
• Research participants
• Proofreaders

Personal Acknowledgements

• Key family members and friends
• Individuals who inspired you or directly influenced your academic journey
• Anyone else who has provided personal support that you would like to mention

It should be noted that certain universities have policies which state only those who have directly supported your work, such as supervisors and professors, should be included in your acknowledgements. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you read your university guidelines before writing this section of your thesis.

How to Write Acknowledgements for PhD Thesis

When producing this section, your writing style can be more informal compared to the rest of your thesis. This includes writing in first person and using more emotive language. Although in most cases you will have complete freedom in how you write this section of your thesis, it is still highly advisable to keep it professional. As mentioned earlier, this is largely because it will be one of the first things your assessors will read, and so it will help set the tone for the rest of your work.

In terms of its structure, acknowledgements are expected to be ordered in a manner that first recognises the most formal support before moving onto the less formal support. In most cases, this follows the same order that we have outlined in the ‘Who Should I Thank’ section.

When thanking professionals, always write out their full name and provide their title. This is because although you may be on a first-name basis with them, those who read your thesis will not. By providing full names and titles, not only do you help ensure clarity, but it could also indirectly contribute to the credibility of your thesis should the individual you’re thanking be well known within your field.

If you intend to include a list of people from one institution or organisation, it is best to list their names in alphabetical order. The exception to this is when a particular individual has been of significant assistance; here, it would be advisable to list them.

How Long Should My Acknowledgements Be?

Acknowledgements vary considerably in length. Some are a single paragraph whilst some continue for up to three pages. The length of your acknowledgement page will mostly depend on the number of individuals you want to recognise.

As a general rule, try to keep your acknowledgements section to a single page. Although there are no word limits, creating a lengthy acknowledgements section dilutes the gratitude you’re trying to express, especially to those who have supported you the most.

Where Should My Acknowledgements Go?

In the vast majority of cases, your acknowledgements should appear directly after your abstract and before your table of contents.

However, we highly advise you to check your university guidelines as a few universities set out their own specific order which they will expect you to follow.

Phrases to Help You Get Started

We appreciate how difficult it can be to truly show how grateful you are to those who have supported you over the years, especially in words.

To help you get started, we’ve provided you with a few examples of sentences that you can complete or draw ideas from.

• I am deeply grateful to XXX…
• I would like to express my sincere gratitude to XXX…
• I would like to offer my special thanks to XXX…
• I would like to extend my sincere thanks to XXX…
• …for their assistance at every stage of the research project.
• …for their insightful comments and suggestions.
• …for their contribution to XXX.
• …for their unwavering support and belief in me.

Thesis Acknowledgement Examples

Below are three PhD thesis acknowledgment samples from which you can draw inspiration. It should be noted that the following have been extracted from theses which are freely available in the public domain. Irrespective of this, references to any individual, department or university have been removed for the sake of privacy.

First and foremost I am extremely grateful to my supervisors, Prof. XXX and Dr. XXX for their invaluable advice, continuous support, and patience during my PhD study. Their immense knowledge and plentiful experience have encouraged me in all the time of my academic research and daily life. I would also like to thank Dr. XXX and Dr. XXX for their technical support on my study. I would like to thank all the members in the XXX. It is their kind help and support that have made my study and life in the UK a wonderful time. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my parents, my wife and my children. Without their tremendous understanding and encouragement in the past few years, it would be impossible for me to complete my study.

I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. XXX and Dr. XXX for all their help and advice with this PhD. I would also like to thank my sisters, whom without this would have not been possible. I also appreciate all the support I received from the rest of my family. Lastly, I would like to thank the XXX for the studentship that allowed me to conduct this thesis.

I would like to thank my esteemed supervisor – Dr. XXX for his invaluable supervision, support and tutelage during the course of my PhD degree. My gratitude extends to the Faculty of XXX for the funding opportunity to undertake my studies at the Department of XXX, University of XXX. Additionally, I would like to express gratitude to Dr. XXX for her treasured support which was really influential in shaping my experiment methods and critiquing my results. I also thank Dr. XXX, Dr. XXX, Dr. XXX for their mentorship. I would like to thank my friends, lab mates, colleagues and research team – XXX, XXX, XXX, XXX for a cherished time spent together in the lab, and in social settings. My appreciation also goes out to my family and friends for their encouragement and support all through my studies.

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14 Dissertation Acknowledgements Examples

Dissertation acknowledgements examples.

Here are 14 dissertation acknowledgements examples to inspire you. They cover a range of academic subjects and are all from UK students. Note how they vary in length, style and substance. 

Note – all samples have been taken from documents available in the public realm. 

Remember to always keep your acknowledgements to a maximum of a page .

So let’s dive right in!

Thank you to my supervisor, Dr Andrew R., for providing guidance and feedback throughout this project. Thanks also to my wife Anna, for putting up with me being sat in the office for hours on end, and for providing guidance and a sounding board when required.

I would like to thank the following people for helping with this research project: Representatives from Historic England, Historic Scotland, the Society for the Protection of Scottish Buildings and the Sustainable Buildings Alliance for their willingness to impart their knowledge. All the conservation officers and heritage team members who took the time to complete my questionnaire and who contributed so thoroughly through their further comments and emails. I would particularly like to thank those conservation officers who agreed to be interviewed. Brenda P., my tutor, who guided me so positively and who always made me feel confident in my abilities after coming off the phone to her. Jan W. for his help with statistics. My husband and children for their patience and encouragement.

I would like to thank the following people, without whom I would not have been able to complete this research, and without whom I would not have made it through my masters degree! The XYZ team at Johnson University, especially to my supervisor Dr Paul C., whose insight and knowledge into the subject matter steered me through this research. And special thanks to Linda T., whose support as part of her PhD allowed my studies to go the extra mile (sorry for all the extra work Linda!). The residents of Dundee, who took the time to return surveys and allowed me into your homes for follow up surveys, and without whom I would have no content for my thesis. My colleagues at the Old Building Trust and Old Building Foundation, who have supported me and had to put up with my stresses and moans for the past three years of study! And my biggest thanks to my family for all the support you have shown me through this research, the culmination of three years of distance learning. For my kids, sorry for being even grumpier than normal whilst I wrote this thesis! And for my wife Jenny, thanks for all your support, without which I would have stopped these studies a long time ago,. You have been amazing, and I will now clear all the papers off the kitchen table as I promised!

I would like to thank the following people who have helped me undertake this research: My supervisor Dr. Peter B., for his enthusiasm for the project, for his support, encouragement and patience; The Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, Johnson University, for input throughout this MSc programme. For their contributions to data collection: David K at Tech David K, VS Limited Steven M Conal M., Engineer, County Council The good people of Brighton who were so generous with their time in completing the questionnaire surveys. My partner Billy – I simply couldn’t have done this without you, special thanks. Dear friends and family and Hattie. And to my parents, who set me off on the road to this MSc a long time ago.

I would like to thank Mr. Joe Smith for guiding me to his important publications and for the stimulating questions on artificial intelligence and automation. The meetings and conversations were vital in inspiring me to think outside the box, from multiple perspectives to form a comprehensive and objective critique.

First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Beauville Scholarships, the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations, for letting me be part of this incredible leaders’ network. Further, I would like to thank my supervisor Alejandro for the thoughtful comments and recommendations on this dissertation. I am also thankful to the School of Engineering and all its member’s staff for all the considerate guidance. To conclude, I cannot forget to thank my family and friends for all the unconditional support in this very intense academic year.

I would like to thank my supervisor Prof. Mark W. and Liam H. for their consistent support and guidance during the running of this project. Furthermore I would like to thank the rest of the undergraduate research team for their collaborative effort during data collection. I would also like to acknowledge the school in Bradford for their participation and engagement in the study.

I would like to thank my supervisor Gina K. for her dedicated support and guidance. Gina continuously provided encouragement and was always willing and enthusiastic to assist in any way she could throughout the research project. I would also like to thank Andrew P. for providing advice regarding analysis.Finally, many thanks to all participants that took part in the study and enabled this research to be possible.

With many thanks to my supervisor Dr Martyn G. for his guidance during this research. To Jennie R., the dissertation module leader, for her support and encouragement throughout the process. Furthermore, to my mentor, Josh B. for providing access and introductions to women leaders, without this, the research would not have been possible. Finally, to all of the women who sacrificed their time, and the support of these well-known companies for their participation.

I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for Barbara S. whose guidance, support and encouragement has been invaluable throughout this study. I also wish to thank the team an CIL who have been a great source of support.

Firstly, I’d like to express my thanks to my patient and supportive supervisor, Tao J., who has supported me throughout this research project. I am extremely grateful for our friendly chats at the end of our meetings and your personal support in my academic and business endeavours. I’d also like to thank my participants and customers who took the time to reflect on their consumption choices. Thank you for expressing your thoughts so eloquently and your feminism so unapologetically.

I would like to say a special thank you to my supervisor, Jennie R. Her support, guidance and overall insights in this field have made this an inspiring experience for me. I would also like to thank all of the women who participated in the study’s interviews. Finally, I would like to thank my family for supporting me during the compilation of this dissertation.

I would like to thank Rik B. for his continued support throughout this project. Guy R., through Dyesol and Philip L. for their SIM images of porous stone. I would also like to thank Dr. Steven M. for his advice throughout the project. Finally I would like to thank Maureen H. at the University of Freetown for allowing me to visit her and her explanation of various techniques.

From the bottom of my heart I would like to say big thank you for all the bioelectronics research group members for their energy, understanding and help throughout my project, especially to Mr D. N. for the guidance throughout the gel extraction, Mr Andrew L. for the help with AFM imaging and Mr Samuel D. H. for advice on the DNA analysis process. It truly has been very, very good time in this lab. I also would like to say special thank you to Professor P. W.and Dr R. S., without your help and wise guidance this project would have not been the same!

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Your thesis acknowledgement: Just saying „Thank you!”

A  thesis acknowledgemen t is a section to say “ Thank you! ” to all the people who supported you during writing and research. But how to do and who to mention? Probably there are a lot of special persons who you would like to consider and to name. This can be or in the part of your personal or professional thesis acknowledgements.

In this post, we provide you with many useful tips, practical advice, and samples on how to create a strong  acknowledement  for your thesis or dissertation. Make sure that you leave nobody out and address everyone in the correct form!

Thesis Acknowledgement examples

Defining: What it is and what it contains

The section of  acknowledgement s for a thesis or doctoral dissertation is the page where you thank all those persons and institutions who supported, helped, and guided you through the long and difficult process of writing an academic thesis or your doctoral dissertation. As the forms of support you were probably very different, you should consider the division into a professional and a personal section.

The professional  thesis acknowledgemen t is where you mention your supervisors and maybe colleagues, interview partners, or a particular library who made an important contribution to your work. The personal section is the right place to mention everyone from your family members and friends who gave you essential emotional encouragement and maybe provide you with feedback and proofreading.

As the acknowledgement and dedication, the section stands out from the academic content of the following chapters. That’s why they are allowed to be written in a more informal, personal style. For example, you can use the first person. Make sure that you place the word “acknowledgements” in Capital letters at the top of the page.

Is it optional? Express your appreciation to all supporters!

Keep in mind that dedication, preface, and acknowledgement are always optional. As the process of completing a doctoral dissertation is very complex and long, a page for the Ph.D. thesis acknowledgement at least will be expected, while it is way more “optional” for a shorter master- or bachelor’s thesis.

Where to place the gratitude for your dissertation?

Usually, a thesis or  dissertation acknowledgement is included in the very first part of your written work, situated in the first part of your written study. Generally, you should place it right in the middle between the title page, which opens your bachelor- or master- or Ph.D. thesis, and the beginning of your work. That can be for example the table of contents or in the case of a doctoral thesis the dissertation abstract. Some Universities provide guidelines for formatting. Check all specific requirements before submitting your thesis!

How long should the acknowledgement be?

At least, the acknowledgements should not be longer than one page. So be aware of the fact that you have very little space to mention many people. Keep things clear for you: Create a list of everyone who has to be named and think carefully about the order and extension of paragraphs.

Who should I thank in the professional and personal part?

Usually, you create a Ph.D. thesis acknowledgement divided into two separate categories:

• First, start with the professional section
• Second, add the personal section

Who should I thank in the professional thesis acknowlegdements?

In the professional section, you should address all academic supporters such as supervisors, specific professors and/or tutors, colleagues, and other academics. You can also include funders or special institutions.

Who should I thank in the personal thesis acknowlegdements?

The section of the personal acknowledgement is generally reserved for the members of your private circle such as family and friends who often provide you with feedback and proofreading but also in many cases with emotional support. Here it is even allowed to include your pet. Some students like to dedicate their thesis or dissertation to a special family member or friend for special reasons. In that case, this person will be named first, despite the common order.

What is the common order for a dissertation acknowledgement?

As a standard form, take the following order of acknowledgements as a reference:

• Supervisors
• Other academics
• Institutions (such as libraries or even funders)
• Family and friends

Write the best acknowledgement for thesis

To write a good and strong acknowledgement for your dissertation, keep it short and creative. Therefore, avoid repetitions of the same phrases and try to name every person in a particular and personal way. To give you a concrete example of acknowledgement in a thesis, we provide you with some beginnings right here:

• First and foremost, I would like to thank (…) for his/her fantastic and patient guidance throughout the process. (…)
• Also, I have to thank (…). Without their constant dedication and assistance in every single moment (…)
• I want to acknowledge (…) to assist me with patience and fill my gaps of knowledge (…)
• I would like to show my deepest gratitude to (…) for raising so many precious points (…)
• Most importantly (…) I would like to take the chance to thank (…)
• Getting through the long and difficult process of writing and completing my dissertation/thesis would not have been possible without (…)

About the author:

Possibly you already heard of me through different media channels. My name is Dr. Friederike Jurth , and since 2010 I give lectures on Methodology, Empirical Research, Anthropology, and Transcultural (Music) Studies in collaboration with universities in the United States, Germany, Spain, and Brazil. In 2010 I started to carry out 7-year-long fieldwork in Rio de Janeiro and to present my research at conferences all around the world, such as in Japan, the United States, Australia, Brazil, Thailand, Switzerland, and many others. In addition, I worked as a lecturer and researcher with Germany’s famous UNESCO Chair.

After finalizing my doctoral dissertation with summa cum laude , it became my aim to unite, condense and share the steps, ways and details of my unique methodological and structural approach that I could develop and elaborate during my Ph.D. and that finally helped me to achieve this result. By concentrating and putting them together to an elaborated academic conception, MyThesis Academy was born. Motivated by the only aim and objective to help my students through all steps and stages of their thesis journey, it enables them to achieve their best possible result in shortest time, independent of their specific area of research.

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