Key points at a glance
- Check whether your programme includes this section.
- Thank specific help briefly and obtain permission before naming people.
- Keep acknowledgements separate from formal disclosures.
Decide whether the section belongs
Acknowledgements may mention supervision, access to a setting or personal support. Your department template determines whether a page is included and where it goes. It does not replace references or a required declaration. If the convention is unclear, ask your supervisor.
Write concrete, proportionate thanks
Two to five sentences are often enough. For example: “I thank my supervisor for constructive feedback on the design and the participants for their time.” Private circumstances need not become part of a public thesis. A specific contribution is clearer than a long ceremonial phrase.
Protect names and disclose substantive help
Ask before naming participants, company contacts or individual staff. A role description may be safer in a confidential project. If someone made a substantive intellectual contribution, explain it where your institution requires; a thank-you alone does not disclose the work accurately.
Proofread tone and placement
Use a warm but professional tone. Check spelling and titles of named people, and avoid inside jokes that readers cannot understand. Inspect the final PDF for placement and whether the acknowledgements should appear in the contents.
Final submission context
Formal details can feel like a separate writing task, but they matter just as much for a printed submission. Anything missing, misplaced or inconsistently formatted in the document will also appear in the bound copy.
Use this guide together with your cover page, table of contents, page numbers, source notes and appendices. Prepare the final PDF for printing and binding only after the complete file has been checked.
Practical check before PDF export
- Do headings, chapter structure and page numbers match?
- Are sources, figures and tables included completely?
- Are required elements such as declarations, appendices or the cover page included where required?
- Did you open and check the final PDF after exporting it?
Checklist
- Checked local format requirements.
- Named support specifically.
- Cleared personal names and confidentiality.
- Proofread the final PDF page.
Common mistakes
- Naming confidential participants.
- Hiding substantial outside work in a thank-you.
- Writing an overlong personal account.
Prepare the finished thesis for submission
Once the content and university requirements are checked, review your PDF and the available printing and binding options.
Review printing optionsRelated content
Explore related guidance on thesis structure, sources, formatting and final submission.
Frequently asked questions
Are acknowledgements required?
Usually not, but follow your programme’s template.
Can I thank friends and family?
Yes, if you choose and keep the tone appropriate.
Should participants be named?
Generally avoid this unless naming is permitted and suitable for the project.