I've just started my thesis, and I'm stuck with my structure. I've asked a couple of people for help, but the feedback I've gotten so far isn't great, and my tutor is of no help either. My topic has to do with finance providers and SMEs. I'd like to get the structure out of the way, so I can focus on my research and analysis. I really want to score a high mark on my structure, so in the high 70s or 80s.

Could anyone who has written a similar thesis or with good knowledge of what my structure should look like please help me out?

Is this an MSc thesis? I wouldn't get too hung up on structure, even if you think it's a good structure, the examiner might not. Look at other theses and follow that, but only if it's logical for your work. Also check whether there is a defined structure in your course handbook. If not, then it won't matter too much.

Hi alfa11. This is great advice from ToL. I think the way that I worked out my structure was by looking through a lot of other people's theses that were directly in my field. This should give you a good starting point. Then if you want to diverge or do something different, you can.

Good luck!

Hi All can anyone tell me how many pages should be included in the master thesis from beginning to end

Varies by university and discipline, and is usually given as a word count, not page number. 30,000 is average maximum I believe.

Best is to check with your advisor or your graduate school. They should have the policy in place if they are offering an MSc by Research

Hi alfa11,

Hope you are feeling more settled about your structure and have some direction by now, but just wanted to say it can be a moving thing. I had a guiding structure I wrote at the beginning (think chapters with titles, then subtitles within the chapters) and then as my research progressed, I used it to help me work out when to stop reading and write, and also from time to time when I had to think about the overall direction of the thesis, it helped me to consider it as up for discussion. I restructured a few times through the PhD, reorganising the order of chapters or sections, taking things out and adding things in as I refined my thoughts on my topic.

I tried to think of my research design document as a working document, open for revision, if that makes sense? It helped to have a place to go back to to reconsider the big picture.

Hope that helps, and good luck!

BENKHALED - agree with allion2004 and TreeofLife - it depends on university and their regulations, most likely expressed as a word count rather than a page count, but follow their guidelines!