Hi all, I would be rather grateful, if somebody give me an information about whether I can change my supervisor?
I am a MA student now, a week ago, they have assigned supervisor for us, and my supervisor is the lecturer that I never wanted to supervise me...
so do you think I will be able to ask for change? and do they listen?

Is there a particular compelling reason why you don't want this supervisor? (It seems to me that 'never wanting someone to supervise me' is really saying 'I don't like them' rather than 'I don't think they are a suitable supervisor').
I have heard of people asking for a different MA supervisor before, but to be honest, the time spent on the MA dissertations in the UK (usually about 4 to 6 months) is so short that I'd advise sticking with who you are assigned.
There are probably very good reasons why you have been assigned that supervisor, and asking to change could be a lot of hassle for you and them.
I also suggest checking how much time your supervisor is expected to put aside for your supervision. If it's only a few hours, I would seriously just get on with the dissertation and not make any trouble.

thanks for your reply, the reason being that he is really tough in marking, and he never being helpful while he was teaching, and I am really worried about my dissertation result with him, as I have got offers for studying phd conditional on getting strong merits on my dissertation. however, my course leader refuse it completely, but that is unfair, how students desire to choose a supervisor is ignored? any way thank you for your message

Check your uni policy but dissertations are usually double marked, therefore your work will be reviewed by someone else as well. There will also be a mark scheme.

When you say he was 'never helpful' do you think that this behaviour will continue when he is a supervisor? Is there a co-supervisor for the project?

Do you think you are capable of producing work that is up to 'Merit' level?

thank you Hazy Jane, till now not just me no body got above 60 in his course works, and I do not want to risk my dissertation. so how come he can change, and we do not have co-supervisor is just him, he comes from Sweden all the way to UK and he never being there when we wanted him? i know it is just 3-4 months, but what about my dissertation grade? it always counts when you apply for studying, jobs...etc. my problems is the course leaders if they agree, the supervisor can not do anything, but i do not want to make the issue bigger that every body thinks i am weird, i am really serious about my course, there other students who have got same supervisor as mine, but they said it is ok we cannot do anything about it. but i really want to fight for my grades however i have a very shy personality, when i go to my course leader i can not speak...

I'm afraid I don't think you have a very strong case to make. I would avoid making further complaints about this as you could antagonise him or the course organiser. Unless there is actual evidence that he is systematically undermarking people, it's a very vulnerable position to be accusing someone of not giving adequate credit when they are the teacher and you are the student.

If you have also been assigned a personal tutor for your course, make good use of them. Get them to help you plan your work and keep on track, and check your outputs for quality (if they are allowed to do that). Familiarise yourself with the dissertation mark scheme and all the requirements and make sure your work meets all these criteria. Ask to see examples of past dissertations that have scored well and make sure yours is of a similar standard.

One thing - don't assume that just because he wasn't available during the course that he won't give adequate supervision. Academics have many other demands on their time and he might be more available for one to one support when he just has a few students to deal with rather than a class full. I suggest that you have a conversation with him upfront about how often you will 'meet', be that in person, via email or over Skype. Get this agreement written via email so you have documentary evidence in case he doesn't fulfil this arrangement.

If you do a piece of work that is clearly merit or distinction level then it is unlikely that you will score below this, and if you do get a lower grade there may be grounds for appeal. So do your very best work and hopefully this will turn out well for you.