In order to be eligible to undertake a Dissertation, students must meet ALL of the following requirements:
1. have gained a CGPA of 3.3 for the first 12 credits completed;
2. have achieved a grade of B+ or above in the methodology course, Doing Research in China; and,
3. have submitted a well-prepared formal Dissertation Proposal of at least 1,500 words in which they set out:
a. the proposed topic;
b. aims and objectives;
c. proposed methods and rationale for the study; and
d. a short literature review to locate their study in a wider theoretical and, if appropriate, applied context.

Students studying in full-time mode may apply to undertake a Dissertation by the end of the first semester and students studying in part-time mode must make the application by the end of the first year. All applications are subject to the approval of the Dissertation Committee.