Schedule A

This schedule is an example of one which would be suitable if you have relatively light commitments for most of your Year Abroad (e.g. if you are working part-time or taking a university course abroad).

June               

After your Part IB exams and before leaving Cambridge, meet up with your supervisor and do as much preliminary reading and photocopying in Cambridge libraries as you can.

July-Sept       

Continue working on getting a bibliography together and working out where to source any materials you need.

Sept-Dec        

Read widely and make notes as appropriate.

early Jan        

Contact your supervisor and agree on any changes needed to your dissertation title before the Faculty deadline.

Feb-March      

Gather your notes together and produce a detailed plan for your supervisor’s comments.

April-May        

Work on a first draft to submit for feedback from your supervisor.

June-August  

Rework and edit your draft (this may involve several drafting stages).

September    

Tidy up the final version, work on presentation and referencing, proofread and finish before the start of Michaelmas Term.

Schedule B

This schedule is an example of one which would be suitable if you cannot do substantial work on the dissertation during the October-June period of your Year Abroad (e.g. if you are employed full-time).

June               

After your Part IB exams and before leaving Cambridge, meet up with your supervisor and do as much preliminary reading and photocopying in Cambridge libraries as you can.

July-Sept       

Work intensively on getting a bibliography together and sourcing materials. Read widely and make notes as appropriate.

early Jan        

Contact your supervisor and agree on any changes needed to your dissertation title before the Faculty deadline.

Feb-May        

When commitments permit, keep reading and defining your ideas. At the very least you should produce a detailed plan for your supervisor’s comments before mid-June.

July                

Work intensively on a first draft to submit for feedback from your supervisor.

August           

Rework and edit your draft (this may involve several drafting stages).

September    

Tidy up the final version, work on presentation and referencing, proofread and finish before the start of Michaelmas Term.