How to properly write Thesis or Dissertation acknowledgements?

During your academic journey, you will be required to write one or more theses depending on your program: bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, nursing school, engineering school, business school, etc.

Writing acknowledgements for your final thesis or dissertation is a crucial step in completing your final deliverable. Acknowledgements allow you to pay tribute and thank all the individuals who contributed to the success of your project, whether through their help with research, support in writing, or moral support.

Table of Contents

1. What are Thesis or Dissertation acknowledgements?
2. What is the importance of Thesis or Dissertation acknowledgements?
3. Where to place the acknowledgements in a Thesis?
4. How to write the acknowledgements in a Thesis or Dissertation?
5. Thesis and Dissertation acknowledgement templates
6. Examples of Thesis acknowledgements

Acknowledgements, in addition to demonstrating your personal appreciation, highlight your sense of gratitude and humility. They also add a human dimension to the academic work, emphasizing the importance of relationships and collaborations in carrying out large-scale projects.
 

Here are some examples of people to thank in your thesis:

• Your supervisor: to thank them for their guidance and advice.
• Your teachers: to thank them for the various learnings you apply in your thesis.
• Your parents: to thank them for their psychological and/or financial support during your studies.

For reference, here is an overview of the typical structure of a thesis with the acknowledgements page placed between the title page and the table of contents:

• Title Page: Also known as the title page of the thesis, it includes the title of the thesis, the author's name, the institution's name, the degree being pursued, the name of the thesis supervisor, etc.
• 👉 Acknowledgements Page: This is where you express your gratitude to those who helped or supported you during the writing of this thesis.
• Abstract: This section briefly presents the objectives of the thesis, the research methodology, and the main results.
• Table of Contents: Lists the chapters and sections with their corresponding page numbers.
• Introduction: Introduces the topic, objectives, and structure of the thesis.
• Main Chapters: Contains the development of the topic, including literature review, detailed research methodology, results, discussion, etc.
• Conclusion: Summarizes the main findings and offers perspectives for future research.
• Bibliography: Lists the sources used and cited in the thesis.
• Appendices: Contains additional information, raw data, questionnaires, etc.

2 - Academic Acknowledgements: Start by mentioning those who helped you academically. This includes your thesis supervisor, professors, advisors, and members of your committee. Be specific about the nature of their contribution.
Example: "I would especially like to thank my thesis supervisor, Professor Fabien Dupont, for his guidance, insightful advice, and patience throughout this project."
 

3 - Specific Contributions: Continue by thanking the people or institutions that provided specific resources or technical support. This may include laboratories, libraries, experts in the field, or organizations that gave you access to data or equipment.
Example: "I am also grateful to the Laboratory of Biology and Applied Pharmacology for access to equipment and essential resources that made my research possible."

5 - Financial Acknowledgements (if applicable): If you received a scholarship or funding, mention the organizations or individuals who made it possible.
Example: "I also thank the Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography for funding my research, without which this thesis would not have been possible."
 

6 - Conclusion: End your acknowledgements with a concluding sentence that reiterates your general gratitude. This helps close this section on a positive and appreciative note.
Example: "To all those who contributed in any way to this thesis, I extend my sincere thanks."

Thesis and Dissertation acknowledgement templates
 

Acknowledgements template for a Bachelor’s Thesis

I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to the completion of this thesis. First, I sincerely thank my thesis supervisor, Professor [Name], for his exceptional guidance, valuable advice, and constant support throughout this project.

I am also grateful to all the professors in the [Department Name] department at [University Name] University for their teaching and availability.

I also wish to thank my fellow students for their moral support and enriching discussions. A big thank you to my friends and family for their understanding, patience, and constant encouragement.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who, directly or indirectly, contributed to the completion of this work. Your help and support have been invaluable.

I also thank [Name of Institution or Company] for the resources provided and the logistical support that greatly facilitated the completion of this thesis.

My thanks also go to my fellow students for their camaraderie and the fruitful exchanges we had. A huge thank you to my family and friends for their moral support and unwavering encouragement.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone, known or unknown, who contributed in any way to the accomplishment of this thesis. Your help has been invaluable.

Examples of Thesis acknowledgements
 

Example of acknowledgements in a Master's Thesis in Industrial Engineering

I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to the completion of this Master's thesis in Industrial Engineering, conducted as a work-study program at the University of Strasbourg.

I would first like to thank my thesis supervisor, Mr. Morel, for his rigorous guidance, relevant technical advice, and availability. His expertise was crucial in directing my research and developing practical solutions.

I would also like to thank my company supervisors, Ms. Boulaya and Mr. Manaudou, for their continuous support and practical advice. Their experience and guidance were instrumental in applying theoretical concepts in a real industrial context at Safran.

I am also grateful to the professors of the Master's program in Industrial Engineering for the quality of their teaching and their availability. Their in-depth knowledge greatly enhanced my technical skills.

Finally, I would like to thank my family and friends for their constant support and encouragement. Their assistance enabled me to overcome the challenges of this year in the work-study program.

I would also like to thank my fellow students for their camaraderie and moral support throughout these years of training. The group work and exchanges were a source of inspiration and motivation.

A big thank you to my family and friends for their understanding, patience, and constant encouragement during this intense period of training.

Finally, I thank everyone who, directly or indirectly, contributed to the completion of this thesis. Your help and support have been invaluable.

To summarize, writing the thesis or dissertation acknowledgements is a crucial step to express your gratitude to those who have contributed to your success.

Make sure to include everyone and every institution that has provided academic, technical, or moral support.

A well-written acknowledgements page not only enhances your work but also reflects your appreciation towards those who have played a key role in your academic journey. After writing your assignment, don't forget to analyze it in a plagiarism checker to detect plagiarism and avoid penalties.

To go further:

• How to write acknowledgements in a thesis or dissertation - Academia Insider
• How to write a final year thesis step by step? - Compilatio
• How to write a good introduction for a thesis or dissertation? - Compilatio
• The cover page of the thesis: how to do it? - Compilatio

Note: This informative article was partly written with the assistance of ChatGPT. The AI-generated content was reviewed and edited to verify the accuracy of the information, check the relevance of the guidelines, and add further details.