If you’re pursuing a degree, a Master’s, or a PhD, there’s no escaping a research proposal, as it is a critical aspect of your thesis. However, there’s one question that many students ask: how long should my proposal take? Knowing the standard page and word count for degree, master’s, and PhD proposals will come in handy when meeting expectations and presenting a well-structured document. Fortunately, this guide will help you crack the code.
Bachelor’s degree proposals
You should note that proposals are often concise when undergraduate degrees proposals are involved, since the goal is to show how well you understand your research question, methodology, and the study’s significance within a limited scope. With that in mind, the standard length for your bachelor’s degree proposal should be between 1,500 and 3,000 words, which is roughly 5 to 10 pages. However, this depends on formatting requirements, such as font size, line spacing, and margins. Make sure you focus on the problem statement, research objectives, and a brief literature review.
Master’s degree proposals
Now, a master’s proposal is quite different from a bachelor’s, as it needs a more detailed approach. This is because it must show a good understanding of your research context and a clear execution plan. That said, you must note that the typical length for a master’s proposal should be between 3,000 and 7,500 words, which is approximately 10 to 25 pages. Here, the structure must be more elaborate, with an extended literature review, a detailed methodology, and sometimes, preliminary results or theoretical frameworks.
PhD proposals
PhD proposals are more demanding than bachelor’s and master’s in terms of length and depth. This is because you have to deeply engage with existing literature, create a more robust methodological framework, and clearly show how your research will make an original contribution to your field. Your PhD proposals should have 7,500 to 15,000 words, which is about 25 to 50 pages. While at it, make sure to provide a detailed explanation.
General knowledge you should keep in mind
Regardless of what academic level you’re in, obeying your institution’s specific guidelines can make all the difference regarding your proposal acceptance. Each school has what it’s looking out for, so keep this in mind. For instance, some would want you to add ethical considerations, a budget outline or other sections, while others may have strict word limits.
Let’s help you out with your proposal today!
Whether you’re writing your bachelor’s, master’s or PhD proposals, we got your back. We know just how to structure each one, ensuring we follow your school’s requirements. Call us on +233 24 156 7426 or email us at [email protected] to get started.
Student’s Academic Writing Enquiry
Got enquiries regarding your academic writing assignments?
Please, kindly fill out the form below and we’ll attend to your needs ASAP or use the WhatsApp Chat Button!
Charis Preby Ghartey
Charis Prebi Ghartey is an international content creator with experience as an administrator of a successful preparatory school in Nigeria. She has over 4 + years of experience in top-level writing, proofreading, editing, and content creation. Having been an administrator in educational circles, she tailors student resource articles to meet the demands and needs of students, enabling us to provide a free resource centre for students globally in academic research, research gathering, topic selection, thesis development and interview management. She wields a BSc in Sociology from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
