final year thesis acknowledgement

• Acknowledgements for PhD Thesis and Dissertations – Explained
• Doing a PhD

The Purpose of Acknowledgements

The acknowledgement section of a thesis or dissertation is where you recognise and thank those who supported you during your PhD. This can be but is not limited to individuals, institutions or organisations.

Although your acknowledgements will not be used to evaluate your work, it is still an important section of your thesis. This is because it can have a positive (or negative for that matter) influence the perception of your reader before they even reach the main body of your work.

Who Should I Acknowledge?

Acknowledgements for a PhD thesis will typically fall into one of two categories – professional or personal.

Within these categories, who you thank will ultimately be your decision. However, it’s imperative that you pay special attention to the ‘professional’ group. This is because not thanking someone who has played an important role in your studies, whether it be intentional or accidental, will more often than not be seen as a dismissal of their efforts. Not only would this be unfair if they genuinely helped you, but from a certain political aspect, it could also jeopardise any opportunities for future collaborations .

Professional Acknowledgements

This may include, but is not limited to:

• Funding bodies/sponsorship providers
• Supervisors
• Research group and lab assistants
• Research participants
• Proofreaders

Personal Acknowledgements

• Key family members and friends
• Individuals who inspired you or directly influenced your academic journey
• Anyone else who has provided personal support that you would like to mention

It should be noted that certain universities have policies which state only those who have directly supported your work, such as supervisors and professors, should be included in your acknowledgements. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you read your university guidelines before writing this section of your thesis.

How to Write Acknowledgements for PhD Thesis

When producing this section, your writing style can be more informal compared to the rest of your thesis. This includes writing in first person and using more emotive language. Although in most cases you will have complete freedom in how you write this section of your thesis, it is still highly advisable to keep it professional. As mentioned earlier, this is largely because it will be one of the first things your assessors will read, and so it will help set the tone for the rest of your work.

In terms of its structure, acknowledgements are expected to be ordered in a manner that first recognises the most formal support before moving onto the less formal support. In most cases, this follows the same order that we have outlined in the ‘Who Should I Thank’ section.

When thanking professionals, always write out their full name and provide their title. This is because although you may be on a first-name basis with them, those who read your thesis will not. By providing full names and titles, not only do you help ensure clarity, but it could also indirectly contribute to the credibility of your thesis should the individual you’re thanking be well known within your field.

If you intend to include a list of people from one institution or organisation, it is best to list their names in alphabetical order. The exception to this is when a particular individual has been of significant assistance; here, it would be advisable to list them.

How Long Should My Acknowledgements Be?

Acknowledgements vary considerably in length. Some are a single paragraph whilst some continue for up to three pages. The length of your acknowledgement page will mostly depend on the number of individuals you want to recognise.

As a general rule, try to keep your acknowledgements section to a single page. Although there are no word limits, creating a lengthy acknowledgements section dilutes the gratitude you’re trying to express, especially to those who have supported you the most.

Where Should My Acknowledgements Go?

In the vast majority of cases, your acknowledgements should appear directly after your abstract and before your table of contents.

However, we highly advise you to check your university guidelines as a few universities set out their own specific order which they will expect you to follow.

Phrases to Help You Get Started

We appreciate how difficult it can be to truly show how grateful you are to those who have supported you over the years, especially in words.

To help you get started, we’ve provided you with a few examples of sentences that you can complete or draw ideas from.

• I am deeply grateful to XXX…
• I would like to express my sincere gratitude to XXX…
• I would like to offer my special thanks to XXX…
• I would like to extend my sincere thanks to XXX…
• …for their assistance at every stage of the research project.
• …for their insightful comments and suggestions.
• …for their contribution to XXX.
• …for their unwavering support and belief in me.

Thesis Acknowledgement Examples

Below are three PhD thesis acknowledgment samples from which you can draw inspiration. It should be noted that the following have been extracted from theses which are freely available in the public domain. Irrespective of this, references to any individual, department or university have been removed for the sake of privacy.

First and foremost I am extremely grateful to my supervisors, Prof. XXX and Dr. XXX for their invaluable advice, continuous support, and patience during my PhD study. Their immense knowledge and plentiful experience have encouraged me in all the time of my academic research and daily life. I would also like to thank Dr. XXX and Dr. XXX for their technical support on my study. I would like to thank all the members in the XXX. It is their kind help and support that have made my study and life in the UK a wonderful time. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my parents, my wife and my children. Without their tremendous understanding and encouragement in the past few years, it would be impossible for me to complete my study.

I would like to thank my supervisors Dr. XXX and Dr. XXX for all their help and advice with this PhD. I would also like to thank my sisters, whom without this would have not been possible. I also appreciate all the support I received from the rest of my family. Lastly, I would like to thank the XXX for the studentship that allowed me to conduct this thesis.

I would like to thank my esteemed supervisor – Dr. XXX for his invaluable supervision, support and tutelage during the course of my PhD degree. My gratitude extends to the Faculty of XXX for the funding opportunity to undertake my studies at the Department of XXX, University of XXX. Additionally, I would like to express gratitude to Dr. XXX for her treasured support which was really influential in shaping my experiment methods and critiquing my results. I also thank Dr. XXX, Dr. XXX, Dr. XXX for their mentorship. I would like to thank my friends, lab mates, colleagues and research team – XXX, XXX, XXX, XXX for a cherished time spent together in the lab, and in social settings. My appreciation also goes out to my family and friends for their encouragement and support all through my studies.

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How to write a unique thesis acknowledgement (+ FAQs)

Crafting a thesis acknowledgement is typically one of the final steps in completing a thesis. This post aims to assist you in gaining insights and guidance by addressing common questions related to thesis acknowledgements. By doing so, it enables you to create a distinct and meaningful acknowledgment section that reflects your gratitude and appreciation.

What is a thesis acknowledgement?

Do i need a thesis acknowledgement, who should i thank in my thesis acknowledgment, how can i make my thesis acknowledgement uniquely personal, how formal should a thesis acknowledgement be, to what extent should i express personal sentiments in my thesis acknowledgement, how should i structure my thesis acknowledgement, how long should a thesis acknowledgement be, where is the thesis acknowledgement located, where can i find examples of thesis acknowledgements.

A thesis acknowledgement is a special section commonly included at the beginning of a thesis or dissertation. In this section, the author of the thesis expresses gratitude and appreciation to individuals or groups who have contributed to the successful completion of their academic work. It is a way for the author to acknowledge the support, guidance, and assistance they received during the research and writing process.

While a thesis acknowledgement is typically not a mandatory requirement, omitting it might not be seen positively. Writing a thesis almost always involves some form of assistance or support, whether from a supervisor, family, or friends.

Acknowledging these contributions is not only considerate but also showcases your gratitude and reflects well on your character. Including a thesis acknowledgement demonstrates your appreciation for the help you received throughout your academic journey, underscoring the collaborative nature of research and academic pursuits.

• Yes, it is strongly recommended to include a thesis acknowledgement.

The thesis acknowledgement offers flexibility, but thanking your thesis supervisor/s is an absolute must—non-negotiable. It would be highly unusual to omit their appreciation.

Additionally, it’s customary to thank those who contributed data, such as interviewees or survey participants. While listing every individual may be impractical, acknowledging their assistance shows respect and gratitude. If someone went above and beyond to help you establish contacts for your case study, it’s worth mentioning.

Apart from these essentials, you have the freedom to thank anyone you desire. Common mentions include parents, partners, friends, peers, and colleagues. Some may even extend gratitude to pets or coffee! Injecting humor is acceptable, but maintaining a certain level of formality is advised, as explained in the subsequent section.

• Acknowledging your thesis supervisor/s is a non-negotiable requirement.
• Show appreciation to those who contributed data or support, like interviewees or survey participants.
• Feel free to thank parents, partners, friends, and colleagues.

How to deal with a thesis supervisor with whom I had a challenging relationship in my thesis acknowledgement?

Regrettably, not everyone shares a positive relationship with their thesis supervisor. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge them in your thesis.

When doing so, maintain a concise approach while ensuring a respectful and diplomatic tone, refraining from any negative aspects or conflicts. Instead, emphasize the professional aspects of their contribution, such as supporting the development of the theoretical framework or providing valuable critical feedback that enhanced the quality of your work.

• Acknowledge your thesis supervisor, even if your relationship was challenging.
• Maintain a concise and respectful tone.
• Focus on the supervisor’s professional contributions.

Once you have decided whom to thank in your thesis acknowledgement, consider going beyond generic expressions of gratitude. Making your acknowledgements more personal and specific can make them truly special. Instead of simply thanking someone for their guidance and support, include examples that highlight the unique contributions of those individuals.

For instance, if you are thanking your fellow thesis writers, you can say something like: “Long study sessions at the library with John and Sabine made thesis writing a joyful experience.” This demonstrates the specific way they contributed to your journey.

Similarly, if you had engaging conversations during walks in the park with someone, you can mention: “Our thoughtful discussions while strolling through the park were a crucial aspect of getting excited about my thesis topic.”

By providing concrete examples, your acknowledgements become more heartfelt and memorable, showing the genuine impact of each person you thank.

• If possible, make thesis acknowledgements personal and specific.
• Include examples of how each person contributed uniquely.
• Highlight specific interactions or experiences that made a difference in your thesis journey.

While there are no strict rules for writing a thesis acknowledgement, it’s essential to consider its significance as one of the first things readers encounter in your thesis. Therefore, maintaining a certain level of formality is advised.

Avoid including details of personal experiences like drinking excesses with friends or lavish parties to cope with thesis stress. Such content could create a negative impression and should be avoided.

Remember that your thesis is an academic work, and the acknowledgement should not detract from its academic merit. Focus on expressing gratitude to those who contributed to your academic journey in a professional and appropriate manner.

• Keep a level of formality, as your acknowledgement section is one of the first things readers see.

People have different boundaries in terms of how open they are, and you should do what you feel comfortable with. But don’t forget that your thesis will likely be a document open to the public. So make sure that you will be comfortable with the information out there, also 2, 5 or ten years from now.

That said, the thesis acknowledgement is there to showcase your human side and your gratitude for your loved ones. So don’t hold back when you really want to thank someone deep from your heart.

And of course make sure that the information you reveal about the people you thank, they are also comfortable with it. You should not, for instance, describe your messy breakup with a person and even worse naming the person by name. Instead, you can write something more neutral in a way that people who know you well still know what you mean. For instance, you could thank your friends for always being there for you during challenging times, which you are grateful for.

• Remember that your thesis is public, so ensure you’ll be okay with the information long-term.
• Thank people genuinely but avoid sharing sensitive or personal details about others.

When writing a thesis acknowledgement, there are several acceptable ways to structure it, each serving its purpose. Three commonly used approaches stand out.

The first method is the chronological structure, typically employed in longer theses like PhD dissertations. In a chronological acknowledgement, you express gratitude to those who supported you throughout your entire thesis journey . For instance, you can start by thanking your supervisor for their guidance from the very beginning, then acknowledge the organizers of the PhD summer school you attended in year two, followed by appreciation for your friends who encouraged you during the challenging writing phase in year three, and so on.

The second approach involves structuring the acknowledgement based on the nature of relationships, ranging from formal to personal. Here, you begin by expressing thanks to your formal supervisors and professors who played a significant role in shaping your research, then move on to more informal yet professional mentors. Subsequently, you extend your gratitude to friends, family, and, if applicable, your partner or spouse.

The third common method is essentially the reverse of the second one, starting with personal relationships and ending with formal ones. In this arrangement, you begin by thanking your close friends and family members for their unwavering support, then move on to acknowledge professional mentors who contributed to your academic growth, and finally conclude the acknowledgement with appreciation for your thesis supervisor.

• Thesis acknowledgements can be structured chronologically.
• Thesis acknowledgements can be structured from formal to personal.
• Thesis acknowledgements can be structured from personal to formal.

The general guideline is that the length of the thesis acknowledgement can vary depending on the length of the thesis itself. However, this doesn’t imply that it must be excessively long.

For bachelor or master theses, the average length typically ranges from 100 to 250 words, equivalent to about half a page.

PhD thesis acknowledgements, on the other hand, tend to be longer, given the extended duration of PhD research. The average length for a PhD thesis acknowledgement ranges from 250 to 1000 words, or approximately half a page to 2 pages.

• Bachelor’s theses: usually 100-250 words
• Master’s theses: usually 100-350 words
• PhD theses: usually 250 – 1000 words

The thesis acknowledgement is typically positioned right at the beginning of the thesis, following the title page and preceding the table of contents. This placement ensures that it remains distinct from the academic content of the thesis.

When formatting your document, it’s advisable to insert blank pages to maintain a proper layout in the printed version, especially when double-paged printing is used. To achieve this layout, page 1 is reserved for the title page, page 2 is often left empty, and page 3 contains the thesis acknowledgement. Additionally, page four is frequently left blank as well. This arrangement enhances the reading experience of the printed version and provides a more polished appearance to the document.

• The thesis acknowledgement is typically placed at the beginning of the thesis, after the title page and before the table of contents.
• Leaving empty pages, such as page 2 and often page 4, helps in maintaining a visually pleasing layout, when double-sided printing is used.

Many universities maintain thesis repositories, providing students access to previous years’ theses. This serves a twofold purpose: firstly, it helps students gain clarity on the university’s expectations, preferred style, and required length for a thesis. Secondly, it offers a valuable opportunity to explore a diverse array of thesis acknowledgements, serving as a source of inspiration for crafting one’s own acknowledgment section.

In addition to utilizing the university’s repository, I have created five examples of PhD thesis acknowledgements that you can review for further guidance and ideas.

• Check your university’s thesis repository.
• Find five PhD thesis acknowledgement examples here .

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Dissertation acknowledgments [with examples]

What are dissertation acknowledgements?

What to consider when writing your dissertation acknowledgments, who to thank in your dissertation acknowledgments, what (and what not) to write in your dissertation acknowledgments, good examples of dissertation acknowledgments, a final word on writing dissertation acknowledgments: have fun, frequently asked questions about dissertation acknowledgments, related articles.

While you may be the sole author of your dissertation, there are lots of people who help you through the process—from your formal dissertation advisors to the friends who may have cooked meals so that you could finish your last chapter . Dissertation acknowledgments are a chance to thank everyone who had a hand in the completion of your project.

Dissertation acknowledgments are a brief statement of your gratitude to advisors, professors, peers, family, and friends for their help and expertise.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• the most important things to consider when you’re writing your dissertation acknowledgments
• who to thank in your dissertation acknowledgments
• what (and what not) to write in your dissertation acknowledgments
• short examples of dissertation acknowledgments

Once you’re at the stage where you’re writing your dissertation acknowledgments, you may be tempted to kick back and relax. After all, the hard part of writing the dissertation itself is over and a list of thanks should be simple to churn out.

However, the acknowledgments are an important part of your overall work and are something that most people who read your dissertation, including prospective employers, will look at.

Tip: The best dissertation acknowledgements are concise, sincere, and memorable.

Approach this part of the process, brief as it may be compared to the long haul of writing the dissertation, with the same high level of care and attention to detail. It’s an explicit and permanent statement of who made a real impact on your work and contributed to your academic success.

Plus, the people you thank are often deeply moved by being included—some even go so far as to frame the acknowledgments. Aim to make yours sincere, memorable and something that people will be touched by.

First things first: who should you include in your dissertation acknowledgments? If you’re not sure who to thank, try the brainstorming technique to generate some ideas. Consider these two approaches:

• Make a list of everyone, both professional and personal, who was involved at any point during your work on your dissertation, and then thin down the list from there.
• Make a list of the pivotal aspects of your process and think about who was involved and how they helped.

As you select the people and groups to include in your dissertation acknowledgments, keep in mind that it’s essential to acknowledge your supervisor and anyone else with a visible connection to your work.

It’s an unfortunate reality that not every supervisor goes above and beyond to provide feedback and guidance to the students they are supposed to supervise. However, leaving them out, even if you personally felt disappointed by their involvement or lack thereof, could be seen as a snub.

You should end up with a fairly short list of people to thank. While being mindful of professional etiquette and personal feelings, be choosy about who makes the final cut since your acknowledgments should be limited to no more than a page.

Now that you have your list of people and groups to thank, it’s time to start writing. Before your first pen or keystroke, however, check your university’s guidelines as your institution may have specific rules around what can and cannot be included.

The standard practice is to begin with the formal and then progress to the informal, so the first people to mention would be:

• supervisors
• committee members
• other professional contacts

Use their full names and titles and go into brief detail about how they contributed to your work.

Once those are done, you can move on to the personal thanks, which can include friends, family, even pets. If you are so inclined, it is also considered appropriate to thank God or make mention of spiritual support.

You may also choose to inject a little humor at this point, but don’t get carried away and definitely don’t include sarcasm or critical comments of any kind, including self-critical ones. Remember that the acknowledgments precede your dissertation, so you want to be taken seriously.

A couple more basics that are essential when creating your acknowledgments:

• Position: Acknowledgments should be placed after the title page and before the abstract.
• Perspective: Write from the first-person perspective and speak in your own voice.

A really good way to get a sense of how to write your own dissertation acknowledgments is to read ones written by others. Notice which ones you respond particularly well to and use them as a model upon which to base your own.

Here are some good examples to help you get started:

I couldn’t have reached this goal without the help of many people in my life. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support.

First, my sincere thanks to my dissertation committee. The value of their guidance cannot be overstated. Dr. Elaine Gooding and Dr. Matthew Hunter provided much wisdom that helped me chart my course. I couldn’t have asked for a better supervisor than Dr. Fiona Moore, whose knowledge and experience guided me every step of the way.

Next, I’d like to thank my partner, Elliott. Your votes of confidence kept me going when my spirits dipped. I couldn’t have done this without you.

Last but not least, I’d like to acknowledge the emotional support provided by my family and friends. We made it to the top of the mountain! I look forward to celebrating with all of you.

This example is shorter, but still contains the key components:

Several people played a decisive role in my success and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them.

My chair, Dr. Ronald Saulk, provided invaluable support and infinite patience and I am truly grateful for all of his wisdom and guidance. I also owe the entire staff of the Wilhelm Library a debt of gratitude. From tracking down books and arranging for interlibrary loans to keeping the coffee maker in the lobby well-stocked and in good working order, they offered the practical help and kind gestures that made all the difference.

I’d also like to thank my family and God, for always being there for me.

One final piece of advice: enjoy this process. Writing a dissertation doesn’t happen every day, and the opportunity to acknowledge the important people in your life in a published format is as rare as it is wonderful.

What’s more, this part of your dissertation is unlike any other. It’s unbounded by the conventions that apply to the formal work. It’s a chance to really flex some creative muscle and let your personality shine through. So make the most of it and have fun!

In your dissertation acknowledgments, you thank everyone who has contributed to your work or supported you along the way. Who you want to thank is a very personal choice, but you should include your supervisors and anyone else with a visible connection to your work. You may also thank friends, family, and partners.

First, you need to come up with a list of people you want to thank in your dissertation acknowledgments. As a next step, begin with the formal and then progress to the informal, so the first people to mention would be supervisors, mentors, committees, and other professional contacts. Then, you can move on to the personal thanks, which can include friends, family, even pets.

Who you acknowledge in your dissertation is ultimately up to you. You should, however, thank your supervisor and anyone else with a visible connection to your work. Leaving them out, even if you personally felt disappointed by their involvement or lack thereof, could be seen as a snub. In addition, you can thank friends, partners or family.

There are many ways so you can acknowledge your dissertation supervisor. Some examples can be found in this article above. If you need more examples, you can find them here .

While acknowledgments are usually more present in academic theses, they can also be a part of research papers. In academic theses, acknowledgments are usually found at the beginning, somewhere between abstract and introduction. In research papers, acknowledgments are usually found at the end of the paper.

Overview: Acknowledgements Template

This template provides a basic structure for the acknowledgements section of a typical dissertation, thesis or research project.

In line with academic best practice , the acknowledgements are structured from most formal (supervisor, committee, etc.) to least formal (family and friends). Each section has easy to use placeholders that allow you to create your acknowledgements section in just a few minutes. 

The cleanly formatted Google Doc can be downloaded as a fully editable MS Word Document (DOCX format), so you can use it as-is or convert it to LaTeX.

PS – if you’d like a high-level template for the entire thesis, you can we’ve got that too .

Dissertation & Thesis Conclusion FAQ

What format is the template (doc, pdf, ppt, etc.).

The acknowledgements section template is provided as a Google Doc. You can download it in MS Word format or make a copy to your Google Drive. You’re also welcome to convert it to whatever format works best for you, such as LaTeX or PDF.

Is this template for an undergrad, Master or PhD-level thesis?

This template can be used for a dissertation, thesis or research project at any level of study. As always, be sure to check your university’s requirements and norms in terms of document structure.

What types of dissertations/theses can this be used for?

The acknowledgements section template template follows the standard format for academic research projects, which means it will be suitable for the majority of dissertations, theses and research projects (especially those within the sciences).

Keep in mind that the exact requirements for the conclusion chapter/section will vary between universities and degree programs. So, be sure to double-check your university’s requirements before you finalize your structure.

How long should the acknowledgement section be?

Typically, the acknowledgements section comprises a few paragraphs at most. Keep it short and sweet.

Can I share this template with my friends/colleagues?

Yes, you’re welcome to share this template in its original format (no editing allowed). If you want to post about it on your blog or social media, please reference this page as your source.

Do you have templates for the other chapters?

Yes, we do. We are constantly developing our collection of free resources to help students complete their dissertations and theses. You can view all of our template resources here .

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Thesis acknowledgements: Samples and how to write your own thesis or dissertation acknowledgements

Writing a thesis can be tricky. That’s why I’m starting a new series covering each section of the thesis, from thesis acknowledgements all the way to conclusions. I’ll be guiding you through the whole process, from what to include in your thesis to how to write it, along with examples from defended theses to help you to write your own.

We’ll begin by covering thesis acknowledgments. The acknowledgements section appears at the start of the thesis so it is often one of the first parts that everyone tries to tackle. As this will likely be your first taste of your thesis it can often feel quite intimidating to write!

Thankfully it’s also one of the easiest parts of the thesis to complete, which may help to give you a boost for the rest.

In this post we’ll cover everything to do with thesis acknowledgements: samples, what to include and how to write them. At the end I’ll also outline a 60 minute exercise which will get you preparing a first draft of your own! I’ve also got a similar post to craft your thesis title, which you can check out here .

I’m writing this post with a PhD thesis in mind but it could work just as well if you’re looking for help including acknowledgements in your Master’s or undergraduate thesis/ dissertation.

What is the purpose of the acknowledgements section in a thesis?

The acknowledgements section of your thesis is an opportunity to reflect on the people who have supported and shaped your PhD experience.

Don’t worry, although your examiners will be interested to read your acknowledgements section, you won’t really get judged on it in your PhD viva. This section is for you to share as little, or as much, as you want about everyone involved in your PhD journey.

The acknowledgements are a very personal section of your thesis and each PhD student will have different things they want to include. For example, many people wonder: How do I thank my family in a thesis? And the acknowledgements section is the answer!

Note – You can also use a thesis dedication to thank your family. This is a separate section to your thesis acknowledgements and is entirely optional. It’s usually just a single line, just like you might find at the front of some books. Most people don’t include a separate dedication section but you can if you want to go that extra step.

What to include in your thesis acknowledgements

There are usually no formal requirements dictating what to include in your acknowledgements. However, do double check for any potential rules at your specific institution.

In general the acknowledgements are the section of your thesis where you have some creative liberty and are not bound by rigid research protocols or guidelines.

Many students choose to use the acknowledgements section to thank people (or organisations) who:

• Introduced them to the topic
• Helped with their PhD application
• Funded the project
• Supervisors
• Technicians
• Partners, friends or family
• Or anyone else who made an impression along the way!

But remember, you can include whatever you want! For example in my own PhD acknowledgements, which you’ll read further down this post, I thanked the university for providing a green outdoor space for us.

Acknowledge whoever and whatever influenced your own PhD experience.

You may find it helpful to start by writing a list of everyone you wish to thank.

How do you write an acknowledgements section?

Since there are no guidelines to worry about, it is really up to you how you write your own thesis acknowledgements. You have a lot of freedom for what to include and how to write it.

However you may find the following suggested phases helpful as a starting point.

Who you want to thank…

• “First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to…”
• “I must thank…”
• “A special thanks to…”
• “I would like to highlight two truly exceptional people from…”
• “I want to thank…”
• “In addition, I would like to mention”
• “I would also like to extend my thanks to…”
• “I want to give my deepest appreciation to…”
• “Finally, but the most importantly, I would like to thank…”

…then, why you want to thank them

It can be nice to also include why you’re thanking these people, using phrases such as:

• “…for the opportunity to be a part of this project”
• “…for always being there when I needed his support, reviewing my progress constantly, and guiding me through my PhD studies”
• “….for being a great bunch of people in and out of the lab”
• …”for all the guidance, support and outstanding feedback”
• “… who took their time to help teach me…”
• “…for her unlimited support and unconditional guidance during my PhD journey”
• “…were always there for discussions about anything that I was unsure on”
• “…whom has offered invaluable advice that will benefit me throughout my life”
• “…for supporting me since my undergraduate, and for the valuable discussions we had along the road”
• “…for making the past 4 years much more enjoyable and keeping me sane throughout the whole process”

Here is a whole example from an accepted PhD thesis:

Firstly, I want to thank [supervisor’s name(s)] for giving me the opportunity to work on this project, providing valuable guidance and feedback, and challenging me to grow as a scientist.  Excerpt from Dr Wane’s thesis acknowledgements, available via this page or use this direct download link .

Some people will choose to use full names and titles for any professional acknowledgements and first names for any personal ones. Again, this is up to you.

To help illustrate the variety of thesis acknowledgement formats, we’ll shortly be coming on to some examples of acknowledgment sections from successfully defended theses.

Before then I want to cover some of the main questions relating to how to write your own thesis acknowledgements section:

How long should you spend writing your thesis acknowledgements?

My suggestion is to spend only an hour or two making a first draft. I suggest doing this well ahead of your final deadline so that you have time to come back to it. Even so, I’d certainly look to spend far less than one day’s work on it in total.

It is a “nice to have” and means a lot to a lot of people, but remember you’re really only writing this section for yourself. I probably spent about two hours writing mine in total, simply because it wasn’t a priority for me.

What order should you write your acknowledgements in?

A typical way to write your acknowledgements is to go from the most formal/academic relationships to the least.

It is normal to start with any funding bodies, then formal people like your PhD supervisors, then move through labmates, friends and family. But again, there are generally no rules!

How long should the acknowledgements section be?

You can include as much or as little as you want. My own PhD acknowledgements section was just under a page long and it consisted of 386 words or 1892 characters (without spaces).

Here is how it was formatted:

But let’s not just look at my thesis. Using Imperial’s publicly accessible database I went through 25 published PhD theses for you.

The average (mean) length of these 25 theses was 365 words and 1793 characters without spaces. Writing an acknowledgements section of length 350-450 words was the most common:

The shortest acknowledgements sections was 122 words(653 characters) long. The longest one consisted of 1022 words and 5082 characters. Hopefully this illustrates that you’re not really bound by any limits. Write as much or as little as you want for this section.

Sample thesis acknowledgements

My own phd thesis acknowledgement.

My own PhD thesis is available here *, the acknowledgements section is on page 5. Here is the complete version of my acknowledgements section:

I would like to acknowledge both EPSRC and the Class of 1964 Scholarship for their financial support. It has been an honour to be the inaugural recipient of the Class of 1964 Scholarship and I am indebted to the donors in providing me complete academic freedom in this research. An immense thank you to my PhD supervisors: Jonathan Jeffers, Ulrich Hansen and Julian Jones. Support and guidance throughout the project from you all has been invaluable. JJ in particular you’ve been a fantastic primary supervisor. Thank you to all the academics who helped me get to this stage. The late Dr Kajal Mallick and his Biomedical Materials course at the University of Warwick was a huge influence and without which I would have never followed this path. My “pre-doc” supervisors in Dr Helen Lee of University of Cambridge and in particular the remarkable Prof Judith Hall OBE of Cardiff University from whom I learned so much. Thanks to Alison Paul and Michael Lim for being so supportive when I was considering applying for PhDs. It has been an amazing experience working between two research groups across different departments, thanks to everyone from the Biomechanics and JRJ groups I’ve worked with and from whom I’ve learned so much. Thank you of course to the Hybrids team I’ve worked so closely on this project with: Fra, Gloria, Agathe, Maria, Silvia, it’s been great fun working with you all! Gloria in particular thanks for you all your help, support and friendship: your inclusivity is appreciated by many. Saman, I’ve been so pleased to have you working on DVC with me and being able to discuss ideas with you really has been invaluable. I am grateful to everyone I’ve collaborated with externally: Farah, Amin and Brett (Natural History Museum) plus Andy and Behzad (Royal Veterinary College), thank you all for your support and input. Thanks also to everyone I’ve met through the Environmental Society at Imperial in particular Chelcie: your friendship and support have added a lot to my life. Thanks to Imperial for providing space for the ESoc garden, taking a break and enjoy nature in this space has certainly improved my work. Thanks of course to my family for their support. Finally, thank you Jo for always being so supportive and helping me every step of the way. My PhD thesis, available here . Acknowledgements are on page 5.

*For me the thesis was a means to an end. I wanted my PhD and didn’t want to spend too long agonising over each page. Therefore, it is possible there are typos in there, if you read any of it: firstly well done, I haven’t looked at it much since submitting the final copy, secondly, please don’t tell me about any typos you find!

Other PhD thesis acknowledgement examples

Below are the other 24 published and openly accessible STEM PhD theses I found for this article.

For each person’s thesis, either follow the first link to be taken to the landing page or follow the second link to directly download their thesis: I gave you a choice in case you don’t want stuff to start downloading automatically from a random text link!

The list is formatted as follows:

• [Link to thesis page on repository], [which page the acknowledgements appear on], [direct link to download the thesis]
• Dr Shipman’s thesis , for the acknowledgements go to page 3. Direct download here .
• Longest acknowledgements section of the list at 1022 words.
• Dr Li’s thesis , page 11. Direct download here .
• Dr Podgurschi’s thesis , page 5. Direct download here .
• Dr Medjeral-Thomas’ thesis page 3. Direct download here .
• Dr Sztuc’s thesis , page 5. Direct download here .
• Dr Yap’s thesis , page 5. Direct download here .
• Dr Sukkar’s thesis , page 9. Direct download here .
• Dr Lo’s thesis , page 11. Direct download here .
• Dr Sullivan’s thesis , page 5. Direct download here .
• Dr Tawy’s thesis , page 3. Direct download here .
• Dr Wane’s thesis , page 2. Direct download here .
• Dr Addison’s thesis , page 4. Direct download here .
• Dr Wang’s thesis , page 5. Direct download here .
• Dr Sebest’s thesis , page 3. Direct download here .
• Dr Hopkins’ thesis , page 7. Direct download here .
• Dr Bates’s thesis , page 4. Direct download here .
• Dr Somuyiwa’s thesis , page 6. Direct download here .
• Dr Reynolds’ thesis , page 5. Direct download here .
• My labmate’s thesis, who wrote the acknowledgements in a different style to the rest by using bullet points.
• Shortest acknowledgements section of the list at 122 words.
• Dr Manca’s thesis , acknowledgements on page 5. Direct download here .
• Dr Liu’s thesis , page 5. Direct download here .
• Dr Hotinli’s thesis , page 7. Direct download here .

My top tips for writing your own thesis acknowledgements

• Don’t spend too long on them. The acknowledgements section is really not worth spending too much time on. Even worse, since they appear at the start of your thesis, it is tempting to write your acknowledgements first. This can be fine, or, it can be an opportunity for lots of unnecessary procrastination. Which I why I instead suggest that you…
• Write your acknowledgements at the end of your first draft of the thesis. There is no need to write your thesis in the order it is presented. If you write your acknowledgements at the end you’ll be less likely to spend precious time on a section which really doesn’t warrant too much brain power.
• Don’t stress about it. The acknowledgements are merely for yourself and for anyone close to you that you want to thank. There are far more important sections for you to be particular about!
• Remember: You can make changes after you submit the copy for your viva. As with everything in your thesis, you can make changes after you submit the thesis for your viva. The real “final” copy is when you submit your thesis to the university for archiving. Which is even more reason to not spend too much time writing it the first time around.

Draft your own thesis or dissertation acknowledgements in 60 minutes

Hopefully you now feel inspired to start writing your own thesis acknowledgments!

For the exercise below I’d suggest setting a stop-watch on your phone and move on to the next section when the alarm goes, even if you’ve not fully finished. The aim is to have a rough draft at the end which you can polish off at a later point in time.

• Read a few of the example thesis acknowledgements above to get a feel for the structure ( 15 mins )
• List everyone (or everything!) you wish to thank – including any personal and professional acknowledgements in addition to funding bodies if relevant ( 10 mins )
• Decide on a rough order in which to thank them ( 5 mins )
• Craft some sentences using the phrases mentioned above ( 30 mins )

Congratulations you’re now well on your way to having one section of your PhD thesis completed!

I hope this post has been useful for constructing your own thesis or dissertation acknowledgements. It is the first in a series of posts aiming to help your thesis writing by delving into each section in depth. Be sure to let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for other content which you would find useful.

Subscribe below to stay updated about future posts in the series:

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Acknowledgement for Graduation Project (5 Samples)

October 14, 2023

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By Mohsin Khurshid

In the journey of completing your graduation project, acknowledging those who have supported you is a significant aspect. It’s a way to express gratitude for the guidance and assistance that made your project possible. Here, we’ll explore five examples of acknowledgment for your graduation final year project.

Table of Contents

• 1.1 Graduation Project Acknowledgement Example
• 1.2 Final Year Project Acknowledgement Sample
• 1.3 Acknowledgement Letter for Graduation Project (Long)
• 1.4 Acknowledgment Sample for Graduation Project File
• 1.5 Sample Acknowledgement for Graduation Program (Short)
• 3 Conclusion

5 Samples of Acknowledgment for Graduation Final Year Project

Below are five examples of acknowledgment that will guide you on how to write your graduation project acknowledgment section.

Graduation Project Acknowledgement Example

Firstly, I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Mohsin. His kindness, patience, and guidance simplified our journey, making it both meaningful and inspiring. He instilled the confidence to keep moving forward.

I’m equally grateful to Dr. Fatima, whose exceptional teaching in IT courses significantly shaped my academic path. Thanks also to IITB College for contributing to my educational growth.

Final Year Project Acknowledgement Sample

My sincere appreciation goes to Professor Sachin Ahuja, my supervisor, whose wealth of experience greatly enhanced this project. His high standards have been instrumental in improving my skills.

I’d also like to acknowledge Dr. Sheena Angra, who provided invaluable mentorship during my transition from student to academic.

Special thanks to Simon Pearson for his guidance on the software text comparison methodology. Though it wasn’t suitable for this research, his advice was indispensable.

Lastly, I’m thankful for the University of Lincoln’s doctoral scholarship, which made this work possible.

Acknowledgement Letter for Graduation Project (Long)

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dimitrios Moshou, Chairman of Franklin College, for generously providing the college’s facilities and his unwavering patronage, crucial to the success of our project.

Our profound thanks go to Dr. Mohsin, Ph.D., the Principal of Franklin College, for his love, motivation, and enduring encouragement.

Dr. Anupam Baliyan, Ph.D., Professor, and Head of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Franklin College, deserves our sincere gratitude for facilitating our project.

Special recognition is due to our project coordinators, Mr. Khalid and Mr. S.Rakesh, Assistant Professors in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at Franklin College. They offered unwavering support throughout our project work.

Our immense appreciation goes to our project guide, Mr. Harald Baayen, M.E., (Ph.D.), Assistant Professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at Franklin College. We are indebted to him for his invaluable support, guidance, and encouragement during the project.

We are deeply grateful to all the staff members of the ECE department at Franklin College for their comprehensive support.

Our loving parents have been an unwavering source of inspiration and motivation. We express our gratitude to them, as well as our friends, who played significant roles in our lives.

Acknowledgment Sample for Graduation Project File

The successful completion of this project was not just due to my efforts but also owed much to the encouragement and guidance of several individuals. I’d like to express my gratitude to those who played a pivotal role in this achievement.

I’m profoundly grateful to the Principal, Dr. Patrizia Busato, and our Head of the department, Prof. Fiona Tweedie, for their warm support and the necessary permissions, which included access to all required equipment and materials.

A special thank you goes to Lecturer Anneke Neijt for her unwavering guidance, supervision, and provision of vital project information.

Finally, my heartiest thanks extend to my parents, friends, and well-wishers who provided invaluable encouragement and unwavering support throughout this project.

Sample Acknowledgement for Graduation Program (Short)

I’m deeply grateful to the College of Grantham for granting me the opportunity to pursue my academic dreams.

Thanks to the Anthropology Department and the Charles Center for supporting me in writing an honors thesis.

To my committee members, Dimitrios Moshou, Dr. Mohsin, and Dr. Simon Pearson, I extend my heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering guidance and valuable insights throughout my project.

In your acknowledgment section, express your gratitude to individuals, institutions, and organizations that have supported or contributed to your graduation project. Include your project guide, faculty members, and anyone else who provided assistance or guidance.

Yes, it’s entirely appropriate to express your gratitude to your family and friends in the acknowledgment section. They are often a vital source of support and encouragement throughout your academic journey.

To write an acknowledgment for a final year project, express gratitude to individuals, mentors , and institutions that supported your project. Be sincere, concise, and acknowledge their contributions.

As your graduation project reaches its completion, it’s essential to remember those who played a crucial role. Crafting a thoughtful acknowledgment can convey your appreciation and make your project more meaningful. Use these samples as a guide to create your acknowledgment section, showing gratitude for the people who contributed to your academic journey.

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Acknowledgement Sample

Sample acknowledgement for a final year Project

In this article, we will provide a sample acknowledgment for a final year project, however similar form can also apply to the acknowledgements for thesis, or research paper.

The most important thing when writing acknowledgement for a final year project is to acknowledge contributions made by your supervisor and institution that supported your work. However, you may also consider acknowledging the support you have received from:

• Staff/colleagues that provided you inputs
• University / College
• Institution that provided you financial support in the project preparation
• Friends and Family

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to several individuals and organizations for supporting me throughout my Graduate study. First, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Collins, for his enthusiasm, patience, insightful comments, helpful information, practical advice and unceasing ideas that have helped me tremendously at all times in my research and writing of this thesis.  His immense knowledge, profound experience and professional expertise in Data Quality Control has enabled me to complete this research successfully. Without his support and guidance, this project would not have been possible. I could not have imagined having a better supervisor in my study.

I also wish to express my sincere thanks to the University of Groningen for accepting me into the graduate program. In addition, I am deeply indebted to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands for granting me the doctoral scholarship. This financial support has enabled me to complete my PhD studies successfully. Also, I and grateful the Faculty of Economics and Business , University of Groningen for sponsoring me for participation in the scientific conferences.

I am also grateful to the following university staff: Ahmed Mustafa, Rick Van Dijk, and Breda Van Breda for their consistent support and assistance.

Finally, last but by no means least; also to everyone in the Research institute for Data Science it was great sharing premises with all of you during last five years.

Thanks for all your encouragement!

5 Examples of Acknowledgement for Graduation Project

The acknowledgement section is an important part of a Graduation Project. It is where the writer acknowledges and thanks those who have helped him or her during the writing process.

This section can be as short as a few sentences or as long as a page. The acknowledgement is not always the same for all dissertations and it can vary from person to person.

You can use the following templates or take inspiration from the following samples to create your own unique version of acknowledgement for your Final Year Project. You can also use our Acknowledgement generator Tool to generate acknowledgement for your project.

Graduation Project Acknowledgement Example 1

First, I would like to thank Dr. Bilal a lot for his helpful, kind, patience and taking care of us, and for making everything simple. He was always inspiring and encouraging us to move.

Also, we would like to thank Dr. Mariam Bounhas, because she taught us the most of an IT courses. My thanks to ECT college, I’m feeling proud of being one of its student its help me to improve my educational level as well as improve my skills.

Final Year Project Acknowledgement Example 2

I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Brian Boyd, for bringing the weight of his considerable experience and knowledge to this project. His high standards have made me better at what I do.

Thanks also to Dr Jennie Billot, who acted as an unofficial mentor in the final year of this project, and provided invaluable guidance as I transitioned from student to academic.

I would also like to thank Phil Stoneman for advising me on the use of a software text comparison methodology. The methodology was ultimately not suitable for this research, but Phil’s advice was very helpful and greatly appreciated.

Finally, I wish to acknowledge the University of Auckland for providing me with a doctoral scholarship, without which this work could have never begun.

Graduation Project Acknowledgement Sample 3

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the College of William and Mary for letting me fulfill my dream of being a student here.

I would also like to thank the Anthropology Department and the Charles Center for giving me the opportunity to write an honors thesis.

To my committee, Dennis Blanton, Dr. Martin Gallivan, and Dr. Scott Nelson, I am extremely grateful for your assistance and suggestions throughout my project.

To the staff at the Center for Archaeological Research, thank you especially to Gwen Manley, Kimberly Ettinger, and Lois Dietz for always listening and giving me words of encouragement and to Eric Agin and David Lewes for helping me scan figures and format my paper.

To all my friends and family for helping me survive all the stress from this year and not letting me give up.

To my teammates and coaches for supporting me both on and off the water. Most of all, I am fully indebted to Dennis Blanton, my advisor and director, for his understanding, wisdom, patience, enthusiasm, and encouragement and for pushing me farther than I thought I could go.

Graduation Project Acknowledgement Sample 4

We owe our gratitude to Shri. M.K.RAJAGOPALAN, Chairman, Bharathiyar College of Engineering and Technology, Karaikal, for extending the college facilities to the successful pursuit of our project so far and his kind patronage.

We wish to record our profound gratitude to Dr.S.RAVICHANDRAN Ph.D, the Principal of Bharathiyar College of Engineering and Technology, for his love, motivation and encouragement.

We sincerely thank Dr.J.SAMUEL MANOHARAN Ph.D, Professor and the Head of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Bharathiyar College of Engineering and Technology, for all the facilities provided to us in the pursuit of this project.

We owe a great deal to our project coordinators Mr.M.H.MOHAMED FAIZAL, Assistant Professor and Mr.S.PRADEEP, Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Bharathiyar College of Engineering and Technology for supporting us throughout the project work.

We are indebted to our project guide Mr.R.GANESAN,M.E., (Ph.D.), Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Bharathiyar College of Engineering and Technology. We feel it’s a pleasure to be indebted to our guide for his valuable support, advice, and encouragement and we thank him for his superb and constant guidance towards this project.

We are deeply grateful to all the staff members of ECE department, Bharathiyar College of Engineering and Technology for supporting us in all aspects.

We acknowledge our deep sense of gratitude to our loving parents for being a constant source of inspiration and motivation. We also thank our friends who have played significant roles throughout our life.

Example of Acknowledgement for Graduation Project 5

Apart from my efforts, the success of the project depends largely on the encouragement and guidelines of many others. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the people who have been instrumental in the successful completion of this project.

I would like to express a deep sense of gratitude to the Principal (Dr.) Purnima Biswas and our Head of the department Prof. Samita Banerjee for their cordial support as they gave the permission to use all required equipment and the necessary material to complete the project.

I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to Lecturer Soma Das for her guidance and supervision as well as for providing necessary information regarding the project and also for the support in completing the project.

Finally, I also extend my heartiest thanks to my parents, friends, and well-wishers for being with me and extending encouragement throughout the project.

Acknowledgement Examples for School/College Projects

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*************************************************************************

Common expressions used to acknowledge assistance

The following vocabulary/phrases are often used when expressing acknowledgements and they may be of help when writing your own acknowledgements.

Read through the following examples of acknowledgements taken (with permission) from past students' final year projects.

Acknowledgement Letter

Get All Types Of Acknowledgement Samples.

Acknowledgement For Project

Post by Ruben Patel Leave a Comment

Completing a project is a rewarding experience, but it’s never done without the help and support of others. That’s why it’s important to include an acknowledgement section in your project report. This is a chance to express your gratitude to everyone who helped you along the way, whether it was a teacher, mentor, colleague, friend, or family member, there’s always someone who goes above and beyond to help us achieve our goals. Acknowledgements are typically included in project reports, research papers, and other formal documents.

Writing an effective acknowledgement is not difficult, but it does require some thought and care. When writing an acknowledgement, it is important to be specific and to thank people by name. It is also important to be sincere and to express your gratitude in a meaningful way.

If you’re not sure who to thank, or what to say, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. In this blog post, I’ll share 100+ Samples of acknowledgements for projects , so you can find the perfect inspiration for your own. Whether you are writing an acknowledgement for a college project, a research project, a group project, or a professional project , these examples will help you get started.

Table of Contents

Why is it important to acknowledge people who have helped you with your project?

Acknowledging people who helped you with your project is a gracious and essential way to show your appreciation for their contributions and to build strong relationships. It shows that you value their time, effort, and expertise and that you recognize that your success is not solely your own.

When you acknowledge someone for their help, you are also sending a message to others that you are a team player and that you are supportive of others’ success. This can create a more positive and productive work environment for everyone involved. It also gives credit where credit is due, and it is an opportunity to build relationships and showcase your professionalism.

Here are some tips for acknowledging people who helped you with your project:

• Be specific. Mention the specific things that each person did to help you, and how their contributions made a difference.
• Be sincere. Let people know that you are truly grateful for their help.
• Be timely. Acknowledge people as soon as possible after you have completed your project.
• Be creative. There are many ways to acknowledge people, such as writing a thank-you note, giving them a small gift, or simply saying thank you in person. Choose a way that is meaningful to the person and the situation.

By acknowledging the people who helped you with your project, you are showing your appreciation for their contributions and building stronger relationships. You are also sending a message that you are a team player and that you value the success of others.

How to write an effective acknowledgement for a project

An acknowledgement is a way to recognize and appreciate the contributions of others to your project. It is a chance to say thank you to those who have helped you in any way, big or small.

A well-written acknowledgement can show your gratitude, build relationships, and reflect well on you and your work. When crafting your acknowledgment, be specific, mentioning names and detailing their impact.

To write an effective acknowledgement, start by identifying the specific things that each person or group of people did to help you. Then, write a brief statement expressing your gratitude for their contributions. Keep your acknowledgement to the point, and avoid including unnecessary details. Be sure to include the person’s name or title, and avoid using generic language.

Some tips for writing a good acknowledgement –

• Use Names and Roles: Say thanks by mentioning people’s names and what they did. It’s like giving each person a special shout-out for their unique contribution.
• Be Honest and Real: Don’t use fancy words. Just say what you really feel. People can tell if you’re being genuine.
• Keep it Proper: Use proper grammar and spelling, and avoid using slang or informal language.
• Thank Everyone: Don’t forget anyone! Say thanks to the main helpers and even those who worked behind the scenes. Everyone deserves a shout-out!

Samples of Acknowledgement For a Project

Sample 1 – acknowledgement for project (general).

I want to express my gratitude to my teacher, _____ [Teacher’s Name], for their encouragement, insightful suggestions, and mentorship. I’d also like to extend my thanks to my principal, _______ [Principal Name], for granting me this wonderful opportunity to be part of this project.

Also, I would like to express my appreciation to all those who have supported and contributed to the completion of this project. Your assistance, guidance, and encouragement have been invaluable. Thank you for being a part of this project.

Lastly, I want to thank my family & friends for their understanding and support during this project.

Sample 2 – Acknowledgement Sample For School Project

I would like to acknowledge my advisor, Dr. Ranjan, for his guidance and support throughout the project. His insights and feedback were invaluable in helping me to develop my research questions and methodology. I would also like to thank my collaborators, Shyam Roy and Sumit Sen, for their contributions to the data collection and analysis. Their expertise and hard work were essential in completing the project on time. Finally, I would like to thank my research assistant, Sima Gupta, for her help with the literature review and bibliography. Her attention to detail and organizational skills were essential in helping me to keep track of my research.

Sample 3 – Acknowledgement for a Research Project for the School

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my project supervisor, ______ [Your Supervisor’s Name], for their invaluable guidance and support throughout the research process. Their expertise and dedication were instrumental in shaping this project. I would also like to thank my classmates for their constructive feedback and encouragement. Additionally, I extend my appreciation to the library staff for their assistance in accessing research materials.

Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to my _____ [family name] for their love and support during this project. This project truly reflects the collective effort of many, and I’m deeply appreciative of their contributions.

Acknowledgement for College Project Samples

Acknowledgement for college project (individual project).

I want to convey my heartfelt gratitude to my professor, ______ [Professor’s Name], for their support and encouragement during the research and writing of this history project. Their expertise in the subject matter greatly contributed to the depth and quality of the project.

Also, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our Principal, _______ [Principal Name], for his unwavering support and encouragement throughout this project. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked on this project under her guidance, and I am confident that my learning and personal growth have been enriched as a result.

I would also like to thank my friends, for their feedback and support. Their input was invaluable in helping me to develop and refine my ideas. Lastly, my family’s support and encouragement were essential throughout the completion of this project.

Acknowledgement for College Project (Group Project)

We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed to the successful completion of this project. Our sincere thanks go to our project team members for their dedication and collaboration throughout the project. Each member played a significant role in shaping the outcome. Special thanks to our professor, ______ [Professor’s Name], for their guidance and valuable feedback, which enriched our work.

I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to The University of _______ [University Name] for affording us the opportunity to collaborate on the _______ [Project Name]. Lastly, we want to thank our families and friends for their patience and encouragement during this project. Their belief in me helped me to stay motivated and to persevere through difficult times.

Acknowledgement for University Project

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my mentor, Dr. _______ [mentor’s name], for their guidance and support throughout this project. Dr. ______ [mentor’s name] was always available to answer my questions and provide me with feedback. They were also instrumental in helping me to develop my research skills and to write my thesis. I am grateful for their patience and encouragement.

I would also like to thank my classmates, [classmates’ names], for their collaboration and support. We worked together to overcome challenges and to achieve our goals. We shared resources and ideas, and we helped each other to stay on track. I am grateful for their friendship and support.

Finally, I would like to thank my family and friends for their love and support. They encouraged me to pursue my goals and to never give up. I could not have completed this project without them.

Acknowledgement for a Research Project

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my supervisor, [Supervisor’s Name], whose encouragement, guidance and support from the initial to the final level enabled me to develop an understanding of the subject. This research wouldn’t have been possible without the funding and resources provided by [Funding Organization/Institution]. I am also grateful to my research team members, [team members’ names], for their hard work and dedication. We worked together to collect data, analyze results, and write the research paper.

Various Acknowledgment Samples for Different Projects, Subjects, and Topics (100+ Samples)

Acknowledgment Samples On Different Subjects

Acknowledgment Samples On Different Topics

Dos and Don’ts of Writing Acknowledgements

Faqs on acknowledgement for project.

1) What is an acknowledgment for a project?

An acknowledgement for a project is a section of the project report where you express your gratitude to the people and organizations who helped you complete the project. It’s a way to recognize and appreciate their involvement.

2) What should I include in my acknowledgment?

Include the names of individuals or organizations who played a significant role in your project. You should also briefly mention their specific contributions. For example, you could thank your mentor for providing guidance and support, or thank your team members for their hard work and dedication. Express genuine gratitude and keep the tone respectful and appreciative.

3) How can I write an acknowledgement for school?

Start by thanking teachers, classmates, or anyone who supported your academic journey. Be specific about their contributions, whether it’s guidance, assistance, or inspiration. Mention any school resources or facilities that played a role, and keep the tone sincere and respectful. You can also express your gratitude for the opportunity to learn and grow.

4) How can we write an acknowledgment for a group project?

Start by thanking the team collectively for their contributions. Ensure that you individually thank each group member for their specific contributions, specifying their roles in the project. For example, you could thank someone for their research, writing, editing, or design skills.

5) Is acknowledgement compulsory for project?

No, acknowledgement is not compulsory for a project, but it is a good practice to acknowledge the people who helped you with your project. This shows that you are grateful for their contributions and that you value their work. It can also help to build relationships and trust with the people you have worked with.

6) What if I don’t know who to thank?

If you are not sure who to thank, It’s better to acknowledge a few extras than miss out on someone who played a part. Acknowledge anyone who made a significant contribution, including t eam members, mentors, advisors, funders , or those who provided resources and support. You can also thank your department, institution, or other organizations that provided you with support.

7) How lengthy should an acknowledgement be?

It depends on your project’s size and how many people or groups you want to thank. But a good idea is to keep it short—around one page or 100 to 200 words.

8) What is the difference between acknowledgment and acknowledgement?

There is no difference between acknowledgement and acknowledgment. Both spellings are correct, but “ acknowledgment ” is more commonly used in American English, while “ acknowledgement ” is preferred in British English. Choose the one that fits the spelling conventions of your intended audience or follow the style guide provided for your project.

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• How to write an acknowledgement for a thesis
• Helpful ideas for writing a good thesis acknowledgement

What is your thesis acknowledgement?

Where to put it, decide who you will thank, choose your best tone to use, why is thesis acknowledgement so important, differences between your thesis acknowledgement and preface, use your best sample for acknowledgement for thesis, your professional thanks, your personal thanks, how to write this section, important teachers, other helpers, address your financial aid, personal supporters, concluding ideas, thesis acknowledgement examples, undergraduate thesis acknowledgement example, bachelor thesis acknowledgement example, master thesis acknowledgement example (template).

To successfully come up with your thesis acknowledgement, read this helpful guidance article or contact our pro writers to get  dissertation help . How to write an acknowledgement for a thesis? This section should be presented only to express your sincere gratitude to individuals who helped you in your work or paper writing.

In your paper, give credit in its preface, not in some other independent section. Be grateful for the advisor’s support or assistance you receive during your research from your university or people in your finished paper.

A simple thesis acknowledgement is your brief section at its beginning where you thank everyone who supported you during studies. How to acknowledge a thesis? This section shouldn’t be too long. Be polite to mention people or organizations that contributed to your thesis, don’t forget anyone important in your grateful words.

Post your comments with gratitude on a separate page right after your abstract and before contents. Take time to find answers to several important questions to end up with your best sample for acknowledgement for thesis writing:

• Who do you need to thank?
• What tone should you use?
• Why use a thesis acknowledgement?

You don’t need to thank every friend who assisted you individually, ensure that you mention everyone important for your research or who gave you significant support. Don’t forget to thank academics who gave you useful advice or assisted your study in different ways. Thank volunteers and professional bodies.

You should thank both formal and friendly, don’t use overblown language to note people who supported you and briefly explain their contributions to understand how to write an acknowledgement for a thesis.

There are different reasons to use it. Some students decide to write their acknowledgement section in thesis or dissertation projects because they were complex, while others include it because they worked hard for a long time. If many people have helped you during several years, you would like to reflect on them to show your gratitude. Who are these people? In a thesis acknowledgement, people often mention:

• Fellow students;
• Colleagues;
• Possible respondents;

The main purpose of having an acknowledgement page is offering a thankful note to those who provided support to you during the study. Well, consider it as a page saying thank you to your doctor after a lifesaving procedure. Note that though the thesis acknowledgement does not have an academic bearing, your dissertation cannot be complete without it. Therefore, you must not only know how to write a thesis , but also put the best foot forward to making it shine. Make sure to write the acknowledgement starting with the people who were most helpful during the study.

Using your preface and acknowledgement in your thesis simultaneously is redundant. How to make this choice? If you want to thank people and provide readers with extra information, write your preface. If you don’t have enough space, write your thesis acknowledgement.

In Ph.D. or senior thesis writing, you should give credit to the department, people, funding bodies in a separate acknowledgement section if they helped you during your project. Find excellent samples to thank people who supported you financially, gave you valuable feedbacks, helped in any other way. Your notes of thanks are your thesis acknowledgement.

Read requirements or guidelines to phrase this section correctly and avoid compromising your future grades, ask funding bodies for their rules to know how to credit their contribution. Consider these general elements.

• Your brief statement as to the type of help you received from people or organizations;
• Full names of all people who you want to thank.

Some academic disciplines require ethical clearance or permission.

As for the types - generally, there are two categories of acknowledgements: professional and personal.

It is wise to place the professional acknowledgements first, as there is a certain political aspect to keep in mind when writing. Read your list of all contributors to mention any academia members who helped you in writing this important paper. You have room only for major contributors. Though there is no set rule, the standard order is to move from most formal to least:

• Upper-level professors and supervisors;
• Different advisors;
• Librarians;
• Lab assistants;
• Classmates;
• Research participants (e.g. people who completed a survey to help you gather data).

Who else? Include in this important section anyone who helped you in conducting your experiments or surveys, researching, or writing. Use titles and full names of academic contributors. When thanking your friends, use their names. If many people within the same big group supported your writing, you should state only a specific group name.

Be sure to use full names, with titles. If several members of a group or organization assisted you, mention the collective name only. If you wish to protect someone’s privacy, use only their first name.

If an authoritative person in your field of study discussed your research with you or gave feedback in any form, mentioning their contribution, however limited it may have been, will help strengthen the authority of your own research.

Before you write anything, make your list of people who are linked to your project in any way. Some of them read or edit your paper, while others listen to your academic woes or encourage you regularly. Mention friends or family active in graduate studies.

If some people inspire or improve your work, their names should be included in your thesis acknowledgement section. State how they help you. This step will be meaningful to these people and they’ll be grateful to you for giving them credit for their work.

There is no need to mention every member of your family or friend group. However, if someone was particularly inspiring or supportive, you may wish to mention them specifically. For example, you might acknowledge a grandparent whose own academic pursuits encouraged your own.

Many students find it hard to include their personal writing in the end of important technical projects. Use your suitable form or tone. Make this page brief, professional, and specific to all people who supported your project along the way. Use an alphabetical order or other styles.

• Start with your important teachers;
• List other contributors;
• Address any financial aid you receive;
• Out personal or emotional supporters last.

Your most important teachers go first. Mention any major professors or advisors overseeing your project, committee members, other supervising academics who participate in your dissertation. Try to think in groups. Other helpers who deserve your gratitude include lab assistants, classmates, all people who helped you with this paper.

If you received any financial support from specific research groups or foundations that gave you any fellowship, grant, or scholarship, thank them by title. What about your personal supporters? Your partners, friends, or other acquaintances who contributed to your emotional well-being or confidence go last in this list. Avoid personal jokes or anecdotes.

Writing your grateful words is important to earn higher grades, and our thesis service can assist you with writing thesis acknowledgement. You can order this type of paper on our website. Let qualified and trained writing professionals help you thank people or organizations who supported your successful project completion.

First and foremost, I have to thank my research supervisors, [Ms Name Surname], [Mr Name Surname] and [Ms Name Surname]. Without their assistance and dedicated involvement in every step throughout the process, this paper would have never been accomplished. I would like to thank you very much for your support and understanding over these past four years. I would also like to show gratitude to my committee, including [Ms Name Surname], [Ms Name Surname], [Ms Name Surname], [Mr. Name Surname] and [Ms Name Surname]. [Ms Name Surname]was my first-year [subject] professor at [Name ]University. Her teaching style and enthusiasm for the topic made a strong impression on me and I have always carried positive memories of her classes with me. I discussed early versions of the [Name of the subject] with [Mr. Name Surname]. She raised many precious points in our discussion and I hope that I have managed to address several of them here. Even though I have not had the opportunity to work with [Mr. Name Surname], [Mr. Name Surname], or [Ms Name Surname], previously, the impact of their work on my own study is obvious throughout this dissertation. In March 2012, I went to [Name] University for several weeks to study with [Ms Name Surname]. My time at [Name] University has been highly productive and working with [Ms Surname] was an extraordinary experience. Much of the analysis presented in Section III is owed to my time at [Name of the University]. [Mr Name Surname] at the [Name] University kindly assisted me with the statistical analysis in this dissertation and was very patient with my knowledge gaps in the area. I must also thank two colleagues at the Department of [Name], [Name Surname] and [Name Surname], for giving me the retreat to have this thesis rushed to the printer. Getting through my dissertation required more than academic support, and I have many, many people to thank for listening to and, at times, having to tolerate me over the past three years. I cannot begin to express my gratitude and appreciation for their friendship. [Name Surname], Name Surname], [Name Surname] and [Name Surname] have been unwavering in their personal and professional support during the time I spent at the University. For many memorable evenings out and in, I must thank everyone above as well as [Name Surname], [Name Surname] and [Name Surname]. I would also like to thank [Name Surname] who opened both her home and heart to me when I first arrived in the city. Most importantly, none of this could have happened without my family. My grandmother, who offered her encouragement through phone calls and letters every week – despite my own limited devotion to correspondence. With her own brand of humor, [Name Surname] has been kind and supportive to me over the last several years. To my parents and my sister – it would be an understatement to say that, as a family, we have experienced some ups and downs in the past three years. Every time I was ready to quit, you did not let me and I am forever grateful. This dissertation stands as a testament to your unconditional love and encouragement.

Prima facie, I am grateful to God for the good health and wellbeing that were necessary to complete this book. I wish to express my sincere thanks to [………], Principal of the Faculty, for providing me with all the necessary facilities for the research. I place on record, my sincere thank you to […….] Dean of the Faculty, for the continuous encouragement. I am also grateful to […….], lecturer, in the Department of […….]. I am extremely thankful and indebted to him for sharing expertise, and sincere and valuable guidance and encouragement extended to me. I take this opportunity to express gratitude to all of the Department faculty members for their help and support. I also thank my parents for the unceasing encouragement, support and attention. I am also grateful to my partner who supported me through this venture. I also place on record, my sense of gratitude to one and all, who directly or indirectly, have lent their hand in this venture.

I would first like to thank my thesis advisor [title] [Name Surname] of the [School / Faculty name] at [University name]. The door to Prof. [Last name] office was always open whenever I ran into a trouble spot or had a question about my research or writing. He/She consistently allowed this paper to be my own work, but steered me in the right direction whenever he thought I needed it. I would also like to thank the experts who were involved in the validation survey for this research project: [List professional Titles, Name and Surnames of the experts who participated/contributed]. Without their passionate participation and input, the validation survey could not have been successfully conducted. I would also like to acknowledge [title] [Name Surname] of the [School / Faculty name] at [University name] as the second reader of this thesis, and I am gratefully indebted to his/her for his/her very valuable comments on this thesis. Finally, I must express my very profound gratitude to my parents and to my [partner, spouse, girl/boyfriend] for providing me with unfailing support and continuous encouragement throughout my years of study and through the process of researching and writing this thesis. This accomplishment would not have been possible without them. Thank you. Author [Name Surname]

Now that you know all the details, it's time to prepare for a final defense . We wish you to nail your defense and earn your degree effort-free!

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• Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

Published on 4 May 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on 4 November 2022.

The acknowledgements section is your opportunity to thank those who have helped and supported you personally and professionally during your thesis or dissertation process.

Thesis or dissertation acknowledgements appear between your title page and abstract  and should be no longer than one page.

In your acknowledgements, it’s okay to use a more informal style than is usually permitted in academic writing , as well as first-person pronouns . Acknowledgements are not considered part of the academic work itself, but rather your chance to write something more personal.

To get started, download our step-by-step template in the format of your choice below. We’ve also included sample sentence starters to help you construct your acknowledgments section from scratch.

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Table of contents

Who to thank in your acknowledgements, how to write acknowledgements, acknowledgements section example, acknowledgements dos and don’ts, frequently asked questions.

Generally, there are two main categories of acknowledgements: professional and personal .

A good first step is to check your university’s guidelines, as they may have rules or preferences about the order, phrasing, or layout of acknowledgements. Some institutions prefer that you keep your acknowledgements strictly professional.

Regardless, it’s usually a good idea to place professional acknowledgements first, followed by any personal ones. You can then proceed by ranking who you’d like to thank from most formal to least.

• Chairs, supervisors, or defence committees
• Funding bodies
• Other academics (e.g., colleagues or cohort members)
• Editors or proofreaders
• Librarians, research/laboratory assistants, or study participants
• Family, friends, or pets

Typically, it’s only necessary to mention people who directly supported you during your thesis or dissertation. However, if you feel that someone like a secondary school physics teacher was a great inspiration on the path to your current research, feel free to include them as well.

Professional acknowledgements

It is crucial to avoid overlooking anyone who helped you professionally as you completed your thesis or dissertation. As a rule of thumb, anyone who directly contributed to your research should be mentioned.

A few things to keep in mind include:

• Even if you feel your chair didn’t help you very much, you should still thank them first to avoid looking like you’re snubbing them.
• Be sure to follow academic conventions, using full names with titles where appropriate.
• If several members of a group or organisation assisted you, mention the collective name only.
• Remember the ethical considerations around anonymised data. If you wish to protect someone’s privacy, use only their first name or a generic identifier (such as ‘the interviewees’).

Personal acknowledgements

There is no need to mention every member of your family or friend group. However, if someone was particularly inspiring or supportive, you may wish to mention them specifically. Many people choose to thank parents, partners, children, friends, and even pets, but you can mention anyone who offered moral support or encouragement, or helped you in a tangible or intangible way.

Some students may wish to dedicate their dissertation to a deceased influential person in their personal life. In this case, it’s okay to mention them first, before any professional acknowledgements.

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After you’ve compiled a list of who you’d like to thank, you can then sort your list into rank order. Separate everyone you listed into ‘major thanks’, ‘big thanks’, and ‘minor thanks’ categories.

• ‘Major thanks’ are given to people who your project would be impossible without. These are often predominantly professional acknowledgements, such as your advisor , chair, and committee, as well as any funders.
• ‘Big thanks’ are an in-between, for those who helped you along the way or helped you grow intellectually, such as classmates, peers, or librarians.
• ‘Minor thanks’ can be a catch-all for everyone else, especially those who offered moral support or encouragement. This can include personal acknowledgements, such as parents, partners, children, friends, or even pets.

How to phrase your acknowledgements

To avoid acknowledgements that sound repetitive or dull, consider changing up your phrasing. Here are some examples of common sentence starters you can use for each category.

Note that you do not need to write any sort of conclusion or summary at the end. You can simply end the acknowledgements with your last thank-you.

Here’s an example of how you can combine the different sentences to write your acknowledgements.

A simple construction consists of a sentence starter (in purple highlight ), followed by the person or entity mentioned (in green highlight ), followed by what you’re thanking them for (in yellow highlight .)

Acknowledgements

Words cannot express my gratitude to my professor and chair of my committee for her invaluable patience and feedback. I also could not have undertaken this journey without my defense committee, who generously provided knowledge and expertise. Additionally, this endeavor would not have been possible without the generous support from the MacArthur Foundation, who financed my research .

I am also grateful to my classmates and cohort members, especially my office mates, for their editing help, late-night feedback sessions, and moral support. Thanks should also go to the librarians, research assistants, and study participants from the university, who impacted and inspired me.

Lastly, I would be remiss in not mentioning my family, especially my parents, spouse, and children. Their belief in me has kept my spirits and motivation high during this process. I would also like to thank my cat for all the entertainment and emotional support.

• Write in first-person, professional language
• Thank your professional contacts first
• Include full names, titles, and roles of professional acknowledgements
• Include personal or intangible supporters, like friends, family, or even pets
• Mention funding bodies and what they funded
• Appropriately anonymise or group research participants or non-individual acknowledgments

Don’t:

• Use informal language or slang
• Go over one page in length
• Mention people who had only a peripheral or minor impact on your work

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You may acknowledge God in your thesis or dissertation acknowledgements , but be sure to follow academic convention by also thanking the relevant members of academia, as well as family, colleagues, and friends who helped you.

Yes, it’s important to thank your supervisor(s) in the acknowledgements section of your thesis or dissertation .

Even if you feel your supervisor did not contribute greatly to the final product, you still should acknowledge them, if only for a very brief thank you. If you do not include your supervisor, it may be seen as a snub.

In the acknowledgements of your thesis or dissertation, you should first thank those who helped you academically or professionally, such as your supervisor, funders, and other academics.

Then you can include personal thanks to friends, family members, or anyone else who supported you during the process.

The acknowledgements are generally included at the very beginning of your thesis or dissertation, directly after the title page and before the abstract .

In a thesis or dissertation, the acknowledgements should usually be no longer than one page. There is no minimum length.

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On the campus at commencement, eisgruber praises class of 2024 for energy and initiative.

Princeton’s Commencement moved in 2021, from the front lawn of Nassau Hall to its new home in the more spacious surroundings of Princeton Stadium. But the tradition of exiting through FitzRandolph Gate remains: An hour after seniors recessed from the ceremony, the line at the gateway was still about 50 grads deep, with a corresponding crowd of family members outside, ready to snap photos. 

Eudan Mojados ’24, waiting his turn, reflected on the four years that brought him to this point. Enduring the remote-learning fall and socially-distanced spring of freshman year, he said, made him appreciate the experience of learning alongside his classmates. “Having that face-to-face casual conversation, or just your weekly study sessions with your friends, it’s a lot easier,” he said. 

As Princeton conferred 1,297 bachelor’s degrees and 609 graduate degrees on Tuesday, the experience of learning together — and applying what you’ve learned — was a common theme across festivities.

“I hope that as you move forward in your chosen professions that you approach different opinions and perspectives not as a threat — but as an opportunity to learn,” Choudhury said. “And I hope that you, like me, take advantage of the fact that you may achieve even more than you dreamed possible by finding opportunities to work with those with whom you may disagree — even where those disagreements are significant.”

On the more irreverent occasion of Class Day, actor Sam Waterston, best known for his longtime role on TV’s  Law & Order , told the Class of 2024, “It’s kind of crazy that the first thing the world wants to do is to tell you, in a graduation speech, how to think and what to do! I’m not going to try.” Instead, he turned his focus to play, noting that “play’s the thing that makes life interesting.”

At Commencement, valedictorian Genrietta Churbanova ’24 recalled her inquisitive youth, when she asked so many questions that her sixth grade history teacher decided to limit her to three questions per class; she evaded the rule by slipping written questions to her friends and letting them ask. “No such high-stakes note passing is necessary at Princeton,” she said, gratefully. 

Churbanova told her classmates that the best way to pay their education forward was to continue the pursuit of knowledge. “Wherever you are and whatever you do, do not stop learning,” she said, “for when we stop learning, we stagnate. Remember that those around you always have something to teach you.”

On the morning of Commencement,  The Daily Princetonian  reported  that the University was holding the degrees of two graduating seniors because of disciplinary investigations related to  the disruption of Eisgruber’s speech to alumni  at Reunions. “The ongoing disciplinary investigation concerning disruptions at Richardson Auditorium on Saturday involves more than two students; not all are seniors,” University spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill told PAW via email, adding that “when seniors are involved in alleged disciplinary violations soon before Commencement, their degrees are held pending the conclusion of a disciplinary investigation.”

At Commencement, a few dozen graduates stood and turned their backs to Eisgruber in silent protest during his address, while a handful from the graduate student section walked out. At least three groups of spectators draped flags or banners with pro-Palestinian slogans from the stadium’s upper tier. 

Eisgruber, continuing without interruption, spoke about how grateful he was for how this year’s graduates restored campus life after the pandemic gap. “Your energy and initiative were essential in the wake of a pandemic that, in addition to robbing us of so many other things, eroded the norms and habits of social activity,” he said. “You came to Princeton, and you breathed new life into our community.”

“My wish for you is that you lean into life after Princeton and into your community, wherever you are, with the same dazzling energy and imagination you’ve shown while you were here.”