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• Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples

Published on May 3, 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on July 18, 2023.

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, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the acknowledgements section.

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 defense 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 high 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 process, from figuring out your dissertation topic to your final proofread, 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 organization assisted you, mention the collective name only.
• Remember the ethical considerations around anonymized 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 anonymize 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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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.

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 must acknowledge them, if only for a very brief thank you. If you do not include your supervisor, it may be seen as a snub.

The acknowledgements are generally included at the very beginning of your thesis , 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.

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

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• 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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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.

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Acknowledgements Template

The fastest (and smartest) way to craft an acknowledgements section for your dissertation, thesis or research project.

Available in Google Doc, Word & PDF format 4.9 star rating, 5000 + downloads

Step-by-step instructions

Tried & tested academic format

Fill-in-the-blanks simplicity

Pro tips, tricks and resources

What It Covers

This template provides a tried and tested 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 acknowledgements template can be copied to your Google Drive 0r downloaded as a fully editable MS Word Document (DOCX format), adaptable to LaTeX.

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FAQs: Acknowledgements Template

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.

Do you have any examples of real acknowledgements sections?

Yes, we have a few examples here .

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 .

Additional Resources

If you’re working on a dissertation or thesis, you’ll also want to check these out…

1-On-1 Private Coaching

Research Bootcamps

The Grad Coach YouTube Channel

The Grad Coach Podcast

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.

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.

Who should I thank in my thesis acknowledgment?

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.

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.

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

How can i make my thesis acknowledgement uniquely personal.

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.

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

How formal should a thesis acknowledgement be?

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.

To what extent should I express personal sentiments in my thesis acknowledgement?

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.

How should I structure my thesis acknowledgement?

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.

How long should a thesis acknowledgement be?

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.

Where is the thesis acknowledgement located?

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.

Where can I find examples of thesis acknowledgements?

Master academia, get new content delivered directly to your inbox, how to thrive in academia as an extrovert, how to end a professional email in a university setting, related articles, sample emails to your thesis supervisor, dealing with conflicting feedback from different supervisors, how to write a fantastic thesis introduction (+15 examples), 5 inspiring phd thesis acknowledgement examples.

Reference management. Clean and simple.

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.

How to write acknowledgements in a thesis or dissertation – FREE TEMPLATE

Navigating the intricate process of writing a thesis or dissertation can be challenging.

One crucial, yet often overlooked part is the thesis acknowledgement. It is also the only bit of my thesis that anyone really reads.

The acknowledgement section allows you to express gratitude to those who contributed to your academic journey. Tradition dictates that you thank supervisors and professors first then family and friends.

The acknowledgement section provides a platform to thank all who played a part in your work.

Whether you’re unsure about how to begin or looking for the best ways to acknowledge your mentors, this blog will provide valuable insights and practical advice to help you create an impactful thesis acknowledgement.

Who to thank in your acknowledgements for your dissertation – a simple template

In your acknowledgements, you should first thank the members of academia who contributed to your research, including:

• funding bodies,
• Supervisors,
• Grad coaches,
• professors,
• proofreaders,
• and research participants.

Mention them using their full names and titles. It is also nice to add the reason you are thanking them and their specific contributions to your thesis and how they have helped your research over the course of your PhD.

If an authoritative figure in your field provided feedback, their acknowledgement adds weight to your research.

Personal acknowledgements can include friends, family members, or even pets who provided inspiration or support during the writing process. Always refer to your university’s guidelines on acknowledgements.

Creating an acknowledgement can be slightly subjective, as the order and individuals to be thanked can vary greatly depending on the circumstances of the work and the author’s preferences.

However, generally, this example follows a common template:

The order can be customized based on the importance of the roles these individuals played in the author’s journey.

Some may prefer to thank family or significant others first, while others might start with professional relationships such as advisors or collaborators.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that the way of expressing gratitude can differ significantly between cultures and individuals.

What is your thesis acknowledgement?

A thesis acknowledgement is a section in your thesis where you express gratitude to those who helped and supported you during your research and writing process. In this section, you may also include acknowledgements for invaluable advice and personal support.

It typically comprises two parts: professional and personal acknowledgements.

• Professional acknowledgements include your supervisor, colleagues, other academics, funding bodies, or institutions that significantly contributed to your work.
• Personal Acknowledgements encompass your family and friends who provided personal support or helped with editing and proofreading.

The acknowledgements section is usually more informal than the rest of your thesis , and it’s acceptable to write in the first person. It’s typically placed at the beginning of your thesis, either before the abstract or the table of contents.

Although the length may vary, it usually doesn’t exceed one page. It’s crucial to plan ahead, listing everyone you wish to thank and consider their specific contribution to your work.

How Long Should My Acknowledgements Be In My Thesis or Dissertation?

The length of an acknowledgement section varies depending on the individual and the nature of the project.

Some people prefer to keep their acknowledgements brief and only thank those individuals who made significant contributions to their work.

Others may choose to include a more extensive list of people, such as mentors, colleagues, and friends, who provided support and encouragement throughout the process.

In general, it is recommended to keep your acknowledgements concise and focused on those who had a direct impact on the project.

Including a heartfelt thank you to these individuals is a meaningful way to show appreciation for their efforts.

However, it is important not to get carried away and turn the acknowledgement page into a long list of names. Remember that the focus should be on quality rather than quantity, as the acknowledgement section should not overshadow the main content of the project. 

Where Should My Acknowledgements Go In My PhD Thesis?

The placement of your acknowledgements can vary, but it’s typically located in the first part of your thesis.

Mine is right after the abstract and before the introduction of my PhD thesis. 

You can place it right before your dissertation abstract or before the table of contents. However, the exact positioning may depend on the guidelines and requirements provided by your university.

Always ensure to check your university’s formatting requirements to be sure you’ve chosen the correct location for your acknowledgements section. 

Thesis acknowledgement examples

Here is my PhD thesis acknowledgement:

If you are struggling with some ideas, here are some sentence starters that you can use for inspiration in your own acknowledgement section:

1. “This thesis acknowledgement is a tribute to all the people who made my academic journey worthwhile.” 2. “I would like to thank my supervisor, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in the completion of this thesis.” 3. “In this acknowledgement section, I extend my deepest gratitude to all who have walked with me on this challenging but fulfilling journey.” 4. “Firstly, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the academic staff who provided their invaluable expertise and guidance.” 5. “My thesis would not have been possible without the endless help and personal support from my colleagues” 6. “Special thanks go to my family, whose constant encouragement fueled my perseverance during the completion of this dissertation.” 7. “In the professional acknowledgements, I would like to acknowledge the significant contributions made by my research participants, whose invaluable advice was crucial.” 8. “I would also like to thank the funding bodies, whose financial support made this research possible.” 9. “Through this acknowledgment, I express my heartfelt gratitude to my friends who have been my pillars of strength.” 10. “The completion of this thesis or dissertation is the culmination of efforts from various individuals whom I would like to express my sincere appreciation.” 11. “This thesis acknowledgement section is an opportunity to give thanks to those who made this journey less daunting.” 12. “I would like to express my gratitude to my editor, whose meticulous proofreading and invaluable advice greatly improved my thesis.” 13. “Without their dedication, this thesis would not have been possible.” 14. “I express my sincere gratitude to all those whose names appear in this acknowledgement for their invaluable input.” 15. “In this acknowledgement for my thesis, I extend my appreciation to all those who have been part of this journey.”

Top tips to write acknowledgements

• Plan Ahead : Make a list of the people you want to acknowledge and their specific contributions to your work.
• Follow University Guidelines : Check your university’s formatting and content guidelines to ensure your acknowledgements adhere to them.
• Use First Person : Unlike the rest of your thesis, the acknowledgements can be written in the first person.
• Keep it Brief : The acknowledgement section should generally not exceed one page. Be concise and precise in expressing your gratitude.
• Maintain Professional-Personal Order : Start with professional acknowledgements (e.g., supervisors, colleagues, funders) before moving on to personal ones (e.g., friends, family).
• Be Specific : Highlight the specific contributions each person or organization made to your thesis.
• Use Full Names and Titles : When acknowledging academic contributors, use their full names and appropriate titles.
• Use Informal Language : Acknowledgements can be written in a more informal style, but avoid colloquial language.
• Proofread: Ensure your thesis and dissertation acknowledgements are free of spelling and grammar errors.
• Be Genuine and Sincere : The acknowledgements section should sincerely reflect your gratitude to the people who helped you in your academic journey.

Wrapping up – writing your dissertation acknowledgements section

As we reach the conclusion of this informative journey into the art of writing acknowledgements for a thesis or dissertation, it’s clear that this often-overlooked section carries significant emotional and professional weight.

A dissertation acknowledgements page is more than just a list of names; it’s a chance to express genuine gratitude and give due credit to all who have contributed to your academic journey. 

From the tireless members of your thesis committee to the friends and family who offered emotional support, it’s a platform to acknowledge all the people who helped.

From mentors who provided expert guidance, colleagues who offered invaluable insights, to the institutions that funded your research – everyone deserves a heartfelt note of thanks.

Sample acknowledgements in a thesis often include both professional acknowledgements first, followed by personal ones, ensuring that all contributors are recognized appropriately. Always remember to use full names and titles for professional acknowledgements, and express your gratitude sincerely.

The acknowledgement page isn’t a place for long tales, jokes or anecdotes; instead, keep your acknowledgements concise, specific, and heartfelt.

As shown in the thesis acknowledgement examples, you should reflect on the people and organizations that significantly contributed to your research or writing, whether in a substantial technical manner or through support and guidance throughout the process. 

Studentship that allowed you to pursue your research, faculty who guided your studies, even friends who provided distractions when they were most needed – all these contributors deserve your thanks. Remember, it’s okay to use their first names for those who’ve been part of your personal journey, but for professional acknowledgments, full names and titles are recommended. 

As a PhD student, your acknowledgements should reflect your journey – the struggles, the triumphs, and most importantly, the people who have helped you along the way. Whether you include a list of names in alphabetical order, or you decide to group people or organizations, remember to be genuine, concise, and respectful. 

Whether it’s a thesis dedication to a mentor, expressing gratitude to your parents, thanking your friends for their love and encouragement, or even including certain political aspects that influenced your research, the acknowledgments section is yours to personalize. 

Writing a thesis or dissertation is a monumental task, and the people who support you through it are worth acknowledging. Keep this guide in mind when you write your thesis acknowledgements, and don’t forget to thank those who’ve been there for you – for in the journey of research and writing, no one truly walks alone. 

The last sentence may be a heartfelt statement, “I would like to express my gratitude to all those who walked with me throughout my research journey – your support was my strength, and this achievement is as much yours as it is mine.”

Acknowledgement Section for Your Thesis – FAQ

1. what is the purpose of the acknowledgement section in a thesis.

The acknowledgement section in a thesis serves the purpose of expressing gratitude to individuals and organizations who have assisted and supported you during the research and writing process.

How should I structure the acknowledgement section of my thesis?

The acknowledgement section usually comes after the main body of your research project and before the references . It typically includes a list of people who helped you along with a brief note of appreciation.

3. Can I use a free template for writing acknowledgements in my thesis?

While you can find free templates online to help structure your thesis acknowledgement , it is important to personalize your acknowledgements to truly express your gratitude.

4. Who should I thank in the acknowledgement section of my thesis?

In the acknowledgements section for your thesis , it is customary to thank your supervisor , committee members, family, friends, and any individuals or organizations who provided support and guidance during your research.

5. Are there any examples of thesis acknowledgements that I can refer to?

You can find thesis acknowledgement examples online to get an idea of how others have expressed their gratitude. However, make sure to write your acknowledgements in your own words.

6. How can I express my gratitude effectively in the acknowledgement section?

To express gratitude effectively in the acknowledgements section of your thesis , be specific about the contributions of each individual or group and highlight how their support was invaluable to your research.

7. Is it necessary to include personal acknowledgements in the thesis acknowledgement section?

While personal acknowledgements are not obligatory, it is common to include a note of appreciation to those who have supported you emotionally or personally throughout your academic journey.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Dissertation acknowledgements: thanking a professional for medical treatment?

I'm currently working on the acknowledgements section of my doctoral thesis. I suffered from severe depression during my time as a PhD student and received tremendous support from a particular nurse at the university's health center. She's literally the only person outside the academic sphere who helped me overcome my health issue (I'm an international student living far away from my family), so I'm thinking of thanking her in the acknowledgements, but I'm aware that that would be unconventional. Would it still be fine to include her, or would that ever be considered unprofessional or inappropriate?

• acknowledgement

• 13 Chances are nobody will have a problem with it. I have never come across a situation in which the decision of somebody to include anybody in the acknowledgments has got them into trouble. What's in the acknowledgements doesn't normally interest anybody unless somebody who did some work and believes they should be there is not. –  Christian Hennig Commented Feb 7 at 17:24
• 12 I've thanked my doctors, teachers and friends in my thesis. It's the only part of your thesis that you can truely write whatever you wish. –  young_man Commented Feb 8 at 1:58
• 3 I reminded a daughter that she had said, "I will when you do" regarding the Ph.D. (I earned mine late in life.) –  Bob Brown Commented Feb 8 at 19:48

5 Answers 5

From a European perspective: this is totally fine to me. This is your text. In addition, the acknowledgements section is likely to be the only part of your thesis where you can freely use the pronoun "I" instead of the academic "we": a few words thanking people that actually really helped you to achieve your thesis is a good idea, so go for it.

• 12 Yes, dissertation acknowledgements are typically much more personal than paper acknowledgements, and are often used for people who provided any form of support. –  Especially Lime Commented Feb 7 at 17:45

I suggest that you do this, but without mentioning details or bringing up the issue of depression. Thank her for her support as you could also do for, say, academics or family members.

If you leave depression behind you there is no reason to leave a marker in your dissertation. But, yes, acknowledge her help.

• 16 One reason to leave a marker of depression in your dissertation despite having left it behind: so that others currently suffering from depression during dissertation writing may come across it and be reminded they are not the first to walk that path. –  John Madden Commented Feb 8 at 15:58
• 1 I don't think the world is at a point where this might not be used against the author. People spend a lot of time to be good at something at the expense of learning other areas in life (like mental health). It thus seems unlikely that someone, who is really good at their field and works where the author might try to get a job, could have had time to learn about depression and think beyond that it is just being lazy, for example. –  heretoinfinity Commented Feb 8 at 19:06
• @heretoinfinity: I think that’s sadly true in many contexts — e.g. job applications — where mentions of such personal circumstances are not usual, and an unsympathetic reader might read them as an intended excuse for professional shortcomings. But in thesis acknowledgements it’s much more normal to get rather personal, so this wouldn’t stand out as at all marked, and there’s much less scope for that uncharitable reading. –  PLL Commented Feb 9 at 17:21

The following is from an American perspective. I have no idea how it works elsewhere.

The acknowledgements section is yours. You can do with it whatever you like. There are a few formalities which you should generally adhere to, e.g. you should probably thank your advisor; and if you thank one committee member, you should probably thank the rest. Basically, don't jilt anyone.

But it really is yours . You can acknowledge anyone you like, and say anything about them that you want. The acknowledgements are a place for you to make personal statements about the last 4-8 years of your life, in gratitude for whatever support has been provided during a genuine ordeal.

For reference, my father's dissertation gives thanks to a large number of people, and then turns an irritated eye towards the university itself:

The same cannot be said of the institutional setting. Its lack of coherence and frequent pettiness serve few.

Personally, I very nearly acknowledged my lawyer in my acknowledgements (my wife and partner of 15 years left me a year before I was supposed to finish my PhD, taking our daughter in the process—that attorney was a vital component in my ultimate ability to finish, albeit a year later than I'd planned). One draft contained the lines

Special thanks to W___ B___, esq. The last two years have been filled with pettiness, disruption, and sabotage. Without Mr B___, I likely would not have been able to overcome it.

I ultimately didn't include any such text (it seemed petty, as the real goal was to take a jab at the ex), but I considered it. You get to say whatever, and thank whomever, you like. It is your document.

Practically no one is ever going to read your acknowledgements. If you are lucky , your advisor will read them. There is a good chance that anyone who you specifically ask to read your dissertation will read the acknowledgements. But that's about it.

If you feel that some service provider has helped you to finish, you absolutely should thank them. And you can make that thanks as effusive or circumspect as you like. You shouldn't really worry about who is going to read, or make decisions based on, the acknowledgements section of your dissertation. Because almost no one is ever going to read it.

I would maybe suggest that you keep things basically professional (there is no need to go into any detail about whatever mental health problems you were having, just as there would not be any reason to get into whatever gastro-intestinal distress you encountered after eating that bad pad thai at a cheap restaurant with your advisor—don't ask), but it's still really up to you.

NB: While writing this answer, I found a typo in the first sentence of the acknowledgements section of my thesis. A very obvious one. No one has ever pointed it out. Clearly, no one (not even I) have ever read that section.

• 4 But: remember that the thesis is a permanent record, and nowadays it is likely to be published online and findable with all good search engines. Therefore, whilst you can write whatever you like, it is worth taking a moment to reflect on whether you will still be happy with what you wrote in your acknowledgements in 20 years' time. –  avid Commented Feb 8 at 13:30
• @avid Indeed. I had originally written more in the last paragraph about "are you going to be happy with this in 10 years?", but it is so hard to know what you are going to think in 10 years... I stand by the basic idea of "keep it basically professional". –  Xander Henderson Commented Feb 8 at 13:45
• When I meet a new colleague with a PhD, I usually spent 5 min to google their thesis to know what they did. I read the summary, I look at some random graphs, and I always read the acknowledgments. It reminds me of writing the acknowledgments myself. –  usr1234567 Commented Feb 8 at 21:18
• 1 @usr1234567 You are likely one of only two or three people who has ever read the acknowledgements of the theses you have read the acknowledgements of. I tend to read abstracts, the table of contents, and skim over the introductory material. –  Xander Henderson Commented Feb 8 at 21:20
• "If you feel that some service provider has helped you to finish, you absolutely should thank them." Service provider? The internet service provider and the electricity company did help me, but... –  Stef Commented Feb 9 at 10:06

so I'm thinking of thanking her in the acknowledgements, but I'm aware that that would be unconventional.

I am a big fan of all kinds of acknowledgments and always encouraged students to go wild there (as I did).

With this said I would think twice before mentioning any health problems. This may not only hit you back (if someone reads your PhD thesis) or your doctor may not be thrilled by this as it is covered by confidentiality rules, practices or laws.

• 6 I'm not aware of any areas where it would it would be against rules/norms for the patient to disclose who their doctor is. I agree it might be prudent to say something like "I would like to thank (my doctor / Dr. S.) for their thoughtful care." rather than "I would like to thank Dr. Emily Smith at North Health Partners for her treatment of my (depression / broken leg)." –  Azor Ahai -him- Commented Feb 8 at 17:12
• @AzorAhai-him- I don't know - it sounds a bit weird to me (as a French). It's not that it is illegal or something, just that the medical areas are really private, including the relationship with the doctor. But this is just a feeling, nothing hard core. –  WoJ Commented Feb 9 at 7:09

This is not unusual at all. You can provide thanks to Ann Adams, Bob Blake, Chet Carson, Dave Dunlop, etc., for all the help and support they provided you during the difficult time of writing your dissertation.

Do not mention your own health problems.

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Writing Acknowledgments for Your Research Paper

• Research Process
• Peer Review

In this article, we describe what types of contributions warrant mention in the acknowledgments section of a paper .

Updated on July 8, 2014

In another article , we discuss four criteria that must be met for an individual to qualify for manuscript authorship. In this article, we describe what types of contributions warrant mention in the acknowledgments section of a paper instead. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) describes several roles that merit acknowledgment, rather than authorship :

“acquisition of funding; general supervision of a research group or general administrative support; and writing assistance, technical editing, language editing, and proofreading.”

You should also acknowledge direct technical assistance, including help with animals, cells, equipment, patients, procedures, or techniques or provision of data, equipment, reagents, or samples, as well as more indirect assistance via intellectual discussions. Note that all of these contributions are typically more mechanical, indirect, and/or one-dimensional than those of authors. Additionally, some argue that individuals who provided help and could be chosen as a peer reviewer, leading to a potential conflict of interest, should be cited.

In any case, the ICMJE states that contributors may be cited individually or collectively and that their precise contributions should be specified.

e.g., “We thank Dr. X and Dr. Y for performing the surgeries” or “We thank the physicians who performed the surgeries"

Institutional affiliations may or may not be mentioned, depending on the journal's guidelines. Finally, the ICMJE encourages written permission from acknowledged individuals “because acknowledgment may imply endorsement.”

Funding sources should also be mentioned in the acknowledgments section, unless your target journal requires a separate section for this information. Whether the funding was partial or full, relevant grant numbers, and the author(s) who received the funding, if applicable, should be detailed as well. Note that acknowledging grants and fellowships is in fact required by many funding agencies and research institutions.

In contrast, contributions that are not specifically related to your research, including personal encouragement (e.g., by your friends or parents) and very general help (e.g., from a laboratory manager who purchases all supplies for your research group), should not be cited. Additionally, anonymous editors and peer reviewers are usually not thanked in the acknowledgments section; many journals (such as American Physical Society journals ) explicitly discourage this practice because it is difficult to comprehensively acknowledge all anonymous support and because this practice could potentially bias reviewers.

The writing style of acknowledgments sections may vary according to the journal, but generally, these sections are written in the first person and are as succinct as possible. A statement about conflicts of interest, citation of previous publication in poster or abstract form, and other information may also be included in this section, again depending on the journal. As you proceed through revisions for one journal or if you change your target journal, remember to reformat as necessary and to update your acknowledgments if additional help was obtained during the revision, such as with editing or new experiments.

Although an acknowledgments section may be appended to the end of your manuscript or relegated to a footnote, it is not a trivial component. By acknowledging all help received with your research, you are demonstrating your integrity as a researcher, which in turn encourages continued collaboration. You may also be bolstering your colleagues' careers, as being credited in an acknowledgments section is emerging as one of many gauges of a researcher's professional impact beyond citations (see ImpactStory , based on altmetrics ). Furthermore, information about who provided certain data, equipment, protocols, reagents, or samples may be of help to other researchers in your field.

This editing tip has hopefully elucidated what to include in the acknowledgments section of your manuscript and why this section is significant. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us . Best wishes in your research and writing!

Michaela Panter, PhD

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Writing the Thesis Acknowledgement Section Like a Pro

A thesis consists of several sections which all contribute to the uniqueness of such a paper. The thesis acknowledgement part is one of these which strikes some students off balance. However, if you are one of the students who feel intimidated at the sight of dissertation acknowledgements, this article brings you good news!

What Is a Thesis Acknowledgement?

Thesis acknowledgement is the part where the author thanks all those who helped him in the success of the thesis. These dissertation acknowledgements go beyond the personal thanks to the professional ones.

Do you remember the kind of speeches that people give at graduation or thanksgiving ceremonies? Where you hear someone saying ‘I would like to thank my parents for their maximum support and my tutors for their professional guidance.’ That is an example of an acknowledgement, only that this has a particular structure.

The acknowledgement section of thesis precedes the abstract chapter and after the title page. It is one of the shortest areas of a thesis with not more than one page of length. The thesis acknowledgements should be:

• In a more informal style
• Written in the first-person perspective

Below is a more candid discussion of the acknowledgement thesis chapter with the best tips on how to write acknowledgements for thesis. Hold in there.

How To Write Acknowledgement For Thesis

Writing an acknowledgement for a thesis is one of the most straightforward tasks that does not need any special skills. All you need are the necessary writing skills and our professional touch to come up with a top-quality acknowledgement section.

The secret to a great acknowledgement is knowing how it is done. Since it is a section that calls for utmost sincerity, your aim should be to thank only those who helped make the project a success. To achieve this, you need to:

• Identify the individual persons who assisted you with your research
• Specify the contribution of each individual
• Do not feel shy about mentioning anyone or everyone who helped you
• Use the available acknowledgements examples to better your format and structure
• Consult with your supervisor on any part that is not clear

You can know how to write acknowledgements in a blink of an eye. Here is an acknowledgement sample for thesis by one of our best thesis helpers:

“I am grateful to my primary supervisor, Prof. Richard Dickens, who guided me throughout this project. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my family and friends who chipped in to support me physically, psychologically, and financially.”

The categories of people to thank will include your:

• Supervisor,
• Family and friends

Below is a sample of how to write acknowledgements for a thesis in a case where you are thanking your supervisor:

“I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Peter Haul, who has the mind of a guru. He patiently instructed and encouraged me to think big and not to give up when all seemed not to be working out. Without his golden assistance, the goal of this project would never have been realized.”

When you are thanking the support staff, here is an example of acknowledgement in the thesis:

“The scientific and technical support of the lab technicians at Hopkins Science lab cannot go without mention. Their insightful remarks and constant help with my experiments made this project attain its goal.”

Best Acknowledgement for Thesis – Common Phrases

By reading a variety of dissertation acknowledgements examples, you will be able to identify top-notch phrases to spice up this section. Below are some of these phrases from our best thesis helpers:

“I would like to sincerely pay my special regards to …” “I wish to acknowledge my …” “My deepest gratitude goes to my …” “A big thank you to everyone whose assistance was a major milestone to the completion of this research project.” “I am eternally indebted to …” “I appreciate the concerted efforts of all contributed towards the success of this study.” “I would like to mention the invaluable support that you all accorded me during my study.”

Without a doubt, your thesis is headed for greatness with these expert phrases.

Pro-Tips For Quality Dissertation Acknowledgements

There is always that one secret ingredient that makes a meal stand out from the rest. We have compiled a list of six professional tips to make your thesis acknowledgement section shine:

• Make it brief and concise as possible.
• Stick to your institution’s writing format
• Focus on the key people who had a significant impact on your study
• Avoid using titles but instead, specify the individual with his specific contribution.
• Write it in the first person, singular or plural.
• Avoid getting too personal (it is not a dedication section!)
• Mention the people in a hierarchical order
• Use formal language
• Follow the alphabetical order when listing names of people.
• Ensure that it comes after the title page

With that, I believe that you are now in a position to write an acknowledge section that can be used by a top university as a case study.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thesis Acknowledgement

• How many people should I thank?

The number of people to thank is not cast on stone. However, you have to consider the relevance and critical role played by the people before including them in this section.

• Can I use a thesis writing service?

If you feel that additional assistance would go a long way in improving your paper, then there is nothing holding you.

• How long should each acknowledgement be?

Depending on the contribution of each individual, some acknowledgements may be longer than others. That is not to say that you should give a whole paragraph of ten sentences to one individual while three sentences to another. No! Strike a balance between all the people to have a uniform paragraph structure.

A sparkling thesis acknowledgement section will not only light up your paper but also warm the heart of the professor marking your essay. So strive to make it shine.

We offer top-tier help with thesis papers of all levels. Hit us up today for a timely, top-grade piece.

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What to include in your Acknowledgments section

By charlesworth author services.

• Charlesworth Author Services
• 02 June, 2018
• Academic Writing Skills

Most academic papers have many people who have helped in some way in the preparation of the written version or the research itself. This could be someone from a sponsoring institution, a funding body, other researchers, or even family, friends or colleagues who have helped in the preparation. These people need to be mentioned in the Acknowledgments section of the paper.

Acknowledgments section in different academic documents

The Acknowledgments section is present in both a paper and an academic thesis . For papers, the Acknowledgments section is usually presented at the back, whereas in a thesis, this section is located towards the front of the manuscript and is commonly placed somewhere between the abstract and Introduction . However, the exact location varies between each university , as each establishment possesses its own style guide for theses and student submissions. So, it is always worthwhile consulting your university’s academic style guide before writing a manuscript for undergraduate/postgraduate submission.

Acknowledgments section in theses

For academic theses, there is no right or wrong way to acknowledge people, and who you want to acknowledge is down to personal preference. However, the common types of people authors acknowledge in their academic theses include:

• Supervisor’s contributions
• Research group (especially if the thesis in question is a master’s and the work is helped along by a PhD student)
• Support staff (laboratory technicians, etc.)
• Any students who undertook side projects with them (e.g. final year undergraduates, summer students, master’s students)
• Administrative staff (there can be a lot of bureaucracy for thesis submissions)
• Referees that got them onto the course (postgraduate only)
• Funding bodies
• Any collaboration with industry and the people they worked with at said establishment(s)

Acknowledgments section in journal papers

Now, whilst university manuscripts can include any combination of the above (including all and none in some cases), academic publications in journals more commonly acknowledge the same kind of people/organizations, but again it is up to the author(s) what they feel should be acknowledged; not every piece of help needs to be acknowledged, just the most useful/prevalent help. Also, acknowledgments should be written in the first person .

Examples of whom and what should be acknowledged in a journal publication are listed below:

• Direct technical help (e.g. supply of animal subjects, cells, equipment setup, methods , statistics/data manipulation, samples, chemicals/reagents, analytical/spectroscopy techniques)
• Indirect assistance (topical and intellectual discussions about the research which can lead to generation of new ideas)
• Affiliated institutions
• Grant numbers
• Who received the funding (if not the author, e.g. a supervisor)
• Any associated fellowships

Whom to acknowledge - and whom not to acknowledge

• Other authors/contributors : It is not common practice for the lead paper writer (i.e. the person writing and publishing the manuscript) to acknowledge the other authors/direct contributors to the paper. Only those who are not recognized as authors may be thanked and acknowledged.
• Reviewers : Authors are also not allowed to thank reviewers personally, or those who inspire them but cannot directly receive their appreciation – although reviewers can be thanked if they are kept anonymous .
• Friends and family : Unlike university manuscripts, journal manuscripts should not include help and guidance from family and friends.

Other acknowledgments

• Titles and institutions : Titles such as Mr, Mrs, Miss, etc. are not commonly included, but honorary titles such as Dr, Professor, etc. are. The institutions of the acknowledged people are usually mentioned.

For example, the following would not be acceptable:

We dedicate this work to the deceased Prof. Bloggs.

However, the following would be acceptable:

We acknowledge Prof. Bloggs for discovering the secret of anonymity.

Additional pointers for writing the Acknowledgments section

• The  tone  of the section should be in an active voice.
• Do not use pronouns indicating possession (i.e. his, her, their, etc.).
• Terms associated with specific companies should be written out in full, e.g. Limited, Corporation, etc.
• If the results have been published elsewhere, then this should also be acknowledged.
• Any abbreviations should be expanded unless the abbreviation appears in the main body of the text.

Below are examples of the Acknowledgments sections taken from a couple of papers from Nature Communications :

Duan L., Hope J., Ong Q., Lou H-Y., Kim N., McCarthy C., Acero V., Lin M., Cui B., Understanding CRY2 interactions for optical control of intracellular signalling, Nature Communications, 2017,  8:547

Xu Q., Jensen K., Boltyanskiy R., Safarti R., Style R., Dufresne E., Direct measurement of strain-dependent solid surface stress, Nature Communications, 2017,  8:555

Many people think that the Acknowledgments section of a manuscript is a trivial and unimportant component. However, it constitutes a vital means to ensure that all affiliated support for the paper can be duly and transparently mentioned. By acknowledging people for their efforts and contributions, you demonstrate your integrity as an academic researcher. In addition, crediting other people for their help can also increase their presence in the academic world and possibly help to boost their career as well as your own.

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15+ Samples of Acknowledgement for Thesis and Dissertation

Here, in this blog post, you can find some of the samples of acknoweldgement for thesis written by students all over the world on different topics. These acknowledgement examples are to inspire you and to show how the thesis is written.

Acknowledgement Examples for School/College Projects

Most popular Acknowledgement For School/College Projects [7 Examples] Acknowledgement for English Project [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Project Class 11 and 12 Acknowledgement for Project of Class 8, 9 and 10 By subjects Acknowledgement for Accounting Project [3 Examples] Acknowledgement for Business Studies Project [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Chemistry Project [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Computer Project [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Economics Project [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for English Project [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Geography Project [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for History Project [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Maths Project for Students [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Physics Project [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Social Science Project [5 Examples] Others Acknowledgement for Group Project [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Graduation Project [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Disaster Management Project [3 Examples] Acknowledgement for Yoga Project [3 Samples]

You can get some idea of how you can write your own acknowledgement with these samples. All of these are samples are one of the best acknowledgement for thesis for masters and PHDs .

For Acknowledgement for your school/college project you can check out out other posts.

All of these samples of acknowledgement is taken from publicly available documents. Some of these samples are from award winning thesis writings. Here are some beautiful thesis acknowledgement from different writers.

Saying thank you with style

How to write an acknowledgement: the complete guide for students, thesis acknowledgement – sample 1.

This sample of acknowledgement is presented by University of Illinois Graduate College. You can check the full thesis sample here.

Acknowledgement For Thesis – Sample 2

This short acknowledgement is written by Christopher Sipola from University of Edinburgh for his thesis. You can check the full thesis sample here.

University: University of Edinburgh Author: Christopher Sipola Full Thesis Sample: https://project-archive.inf.ed.ac.uk/msc/20172438/msc_proj.pdf

Example of Acknowledgement For Thesis – Sample 3

This short acknowledgement is written by Matthew Brillinger from University of Ottawa for his thesis. You can check the full thesis sample here.

University:   University of Ottawa Author: Matthew Brillinger Full Thesis Sample: https://ruor.uottawa.ca/bitstream/10393/35312/1/Brillinger_Matthew_2016_Thesis.pdf

Acknowledgement Sample For Thesis – Sample 4

University:   Columbia University Author: Julien Saint Reiman Full Thesis Sample: https://history.columbia.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2016/06/Reiman-Julien-Thesis.pdf

Acknowledgement Example For Thesis – Sample 5

University:   University of Ottawa Author: Heather Martin Full Thesis Sample: https://ruor.uottawa.ca/bitstream/10393/32518/3/Martin_Heather_2015_thesis.pdf

Thesis Acknowledgement Example – Sample 6

University: University of Ottawa Author: Guillaume Thekkadath Full Thesis Sample: https://ruor.uottawa.ca/bitstream/10393/36669/3/Thekkadath_Guillaume_2017_thesis.pdf

Thesis Acknowledgement – Sample 7

Example of thesis acknowledgement – sample 8.

University: Sample Thesis Author: Full Thesis Sample: https://www.cs.siu.edu/files/thesis.pdf

Acknowledgement for Thesis – Sample 9

Sample acknowledgement for thesis – sample 10.

University: The University of Toledo Author: Sample Thesis Full Thesis Sample: https://etd.ohiolink.edu/apexprod/rws_etd/send_file/send?accession=toledo1333741245&disposition=attachment

Sample Acknowledgement for Thesis – Sample 11

University: IOWA STATE University Author: Varsha Ravichandra Mouli Full Thesis Sample: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cs_etd/

Acknowledgement for Thesis – Sample 12

Acknowledgement samples for thesis – sample 13, acknowledgement for thesis – sample 14.

University: Nottingham University Author: Jean D. M. Underwood. Full Thesis Sample: http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/11711/1/325961.pdf

Acknowledgement Samples – Sample 15

Acknowledgement samples for thesis – sample 16, thesis acknowledgement samples – sample 17.

University: Brunel Business School Brunel University Author: Kinana Ahmad Jammoul Full Thesis Sample: http://107.170.122.150:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/95/Shristi%20Karmacharya%20Thesis%209881.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

You can take inspiration from these acknowledgement samples to write your own acknowledgement for your project. All these acknowledgement samples are taken from publicly available documents and you can use these as a sample to take inspiration for your project acknowledgement.

More on thesis statements

Jump into these quick guides to write a strong thesis statement in no time. We have included tons of good (and bad) examples to show you how to do it right. A simple formula is included in each article to help you create your strong thesis statement with suggested wordings.

Other Popular Acknowledgement Examples

Academic Acknowledgement for Research Paper [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Internship Report [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Thesis and Dissertation [15 Examples] Acknowledgement for Portfolio [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for Case Study [4 Examples] Acknowledgement for Academic Research Paper [5 Examples] Acknowledgement for College/School Assignment [5 Examples] Acknowledgemet to God in Reports [5 Examples]

Others Acknowledgement to Funeral Attendees [5 Examples] Funeral Acknowledgement Templates (for Newspapers and Websites) Common Website Disclaimers to Protect Your Online Business Notary Acknowledgement [5 Examples]

6 thoughts on “15+ Samples of Acknowledgement for Thesis and Dissertation”

A profpund geatitude for your sample research acknowledfement! It is of great help in the success of my thesis study. God bless!

• How To Write An Acknowledgement For A Thesis
• Writing guide

How to Write a Thesis Acknowledgement: Helpful Ideas

Table of contents

Let professional writers deal with your paper, quickly and efficiently.

To successfully come up with your thesis acknowledgement, read this helpful guidance article or contact our pro writers to get  online thesis 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.

What Is A Thesis Acknowledgement?

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.

Where to Put a Thesis Acknowledgement?

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?

Wondering how to write an abstract for a thesis ? Check our guide to see the details or order professional help.

Decide Who You Will Thank

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.

Choose Your Best Tone to Use

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.

Why is Thesis Acknowledgement So Important?

There are different reasons to use a thesis paper acknowledgement. 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 good thesis acknowledgement section, 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.

Differences Between Your Thesis Acknowledgement and Preface

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.

Use Your Best Sample for Acknowledgement for Thesis

In Ph.D. or college 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.

Your Professional Thanks

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.

Your personal thanks

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.

How to Write This Section

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.

Important Teachers, Other Helpers

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.

Address Your Financial Aid, Personal Supporters

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.

Concluding Ideas

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.

Thesis Acknowledgement Examples

Undergraduate thesis acknowledgement example.

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.

Bachelor Thesis Acknowledgement Example

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.

Master Thesis Acknowledgement Example (Template)

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]

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Avita medical inc (nasdaq:rcel) a bull case theory.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

• Open access
• Published: 30 August 2024

Academic burnout syndrome among medical students in Serbia: prevalence of high risk and determinants

• Irena Ilic 1 &
• Milena Ilic 2  

BMC Medical Education volume  24 , Article number:  948 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

Although burnout syndrome has been described in numerous research studies, the data on burnout syndrome among medical students in developing countries is scanty. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of high-risk for burnout syndrome and its associated factors among university undergraduate medical students in Serbia.

An observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey and a survey on associated factors. The research was carried out from February to March 2014. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the adjusted odds ratio (Odds Ratio, OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) in order to identify independent correlates of high risk of burnout syndrome.

A high risk for burnout syndrome was noted in 15.0% of respondents; that is, 114/760 medical students suffered from high emotional exhaustion, high cynicism, and low academic efficiency. According to the results of multivariate logistic regression, the main significant independent correlates of high risk for burnout syndrome in medical students were: age of students (for aged 22–24: adjusted OR = 5.64, 95%CI = 2.58–12.34, p  < 0.001 for aged ≥ 25: adjusted OR = 5.65, 95%CI = 2.08–15.39, p  = 0.001) with p for trend < 0.001, higher frequency of alcohol consumption (for habit 1–2 times a week: adjusted OR = 2.01, 95%CI = 1.01–4.03, p  = 0.048) with p for trend = 0.025, and use of sedatives (adjusted OR = 3.44, 95%CI = 1.31–9.04; p  = 0.012).

The present study identified several factors associated with burnout syndrome in Serbian medical students. Some factors associated with the high risk of burnout syndrome in medical students are modifiable. It is important to carry out similar research on burnout syndrome in the future, especially using longitudinal studies, in order to evaluate the associations found in this cross-sectional study.

Peer Review reports

Introduction

Burnout syndrome in students is a psychological term for long-term emotional exhaustion, a gradual decline in interest in studies, and a decrease in academic efficiency, which occurs due to prolonged stress during studies [ 1 ]. Burnout syndrome is specific in particular for occupations characterized by working with people in emotionally demanding situations and represents a triad of symptoms that include emotional exhaustion, cynicism and reduced professional efficiency [ 2 ]. Emotional exhaustion refers to an individual’s assessment that his emotional strength has been exhausted beyond limits. Depersonalization (cynicism) refers to developing a callous and cynical attitude towards the people who receive the service/patients and a negative attitude towards studying. The feeling of reduced personal achievement refers to a negative self-assessment of competencies and achievements in studies [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].

Previous research shows that medical students are in study groups with very stressful studies. As such, they may be at an increased risk for burnout syndrome [ 6 ]. The highly competitive medical faculty entrance exam, along with difficult transitions from preclinical to clinical training, the reality of dealing with critically ill patients with a poor prognosis are traditional stressor patterns in the life of most medical students [ 7 ]. For medical students, developing excellent skills and fulfilling the requirements to be good experts is a challenge. One of the sequelae of efforts accompanying medical education is academic burnout or burnout syndrome [ 8 ]. Studies have shown that the occurrence of at least one symptom of burnout syndrome in medical students can cause negative effects that not only interfere with teaching/learning, but also cause sleepiness, emotional instability, serious professional and personal consequences, including lack of professionalism (e.g., altruism or self-control, and serious thoughts of dropping out of studies) [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Quantitative studies of the burnout syndrome have been possible due to the development of reliable and valid instruments [15…]. Although other instruments for the assessment of burnout syndrome in medical students have appeared in the meantime, the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Student Survey (MBI-SS) remains the “gold standard” for burnout assessment [ 3 ].

Some recent systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses showed that about one out of two medical students worldwide have burnout syndrome [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. The authors noted a slightly higher prevalence of burnout syndrome among medical students in countries in Oceania and the Middle East than in other areas. On the other hand, some authors indicated that the pooled prevalence of burnout syndrome among medical students in low- and middle-income countries was 12.1% [ 18 ]. Overall, the prevalence of burnout syndrome in medical students has shown a wide range from 2 to 76% [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. The authors reported marked heterogeneity in the results between countries of different economic statuses, with different applied research instruments, cutoff criteria for burnout syndrome, etc. [ 18 , 19 , 22 , 23 ]. Several studies of the prevalence of burnout syndrome in medical students have been conducted in Serbia [ 24 , 25 , 26 ], but only one applied the validated MBI-SS questionnaire in the research [ 27 ].

A variety of demographic factors correlate with burnout syndrome in medical students, including age, sex, whether the student came from an urban or rural setting, marital status, and the number of children, although the findings were not consistent [ 8 , 16 , 19 , 28 ]. In addition, burnout levels were associated with medical students’ maternal education [ 29 ]. Numerous studies identified that senior students experience high levels of burnout, with third and fourth-year students reporting significantly higher scores than younger students [ 30 ]. Some authors reported a statistically significant positive correlation between burnout syndrome and a lower grade point average [ 31 ]. The use of recreational drugs (like marijuana and tramadol) was noted in medical students who had higher burnout scores and reported the presence of a chronic illness and alcohol consumption [ 22 , 32 ]. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of high risk for burnout and identify factors associated with high risk for burnout in medical students.

The study was carried out at the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Kragujevac, Serbia. The Faculty of Medical Sciences in Kragujevac is the youngest state medical faculty in Serbia, founded in 1977. The study program at integrated academic medical studies is organized through blocks (semesters), and medical studies consist of 12 blocks. Teaching by courses is realized through lectures, exercises, other forms of teaching and professional practice lasting six years. The teaching process is carried out using interactive programs oriented towards students, conditions are provided for greater engagement of students during lectures, with constant checking of their knowledge. A relatively small number of students are enrolled in medical studies (only 96 students in recent years), in order to reach the set quality standards of the program. In order to obtain the professional title of the doctor of medicine, a student must pass 35 compulsory and 6 optional courses (out of 15 offered), complete professional practice and defend a diploma (final) thesis. The research was carried out from February to March 2014, and the survey was conducted in the amphitheater and lecture halls at the Faculty of Medical Sciences in Kragujevac. Before the start of the survey, medical students were given a presentation on “burnout syndrome”, with detailed information about this research. All medical students enrolled in the academic year were invited to participate in the study through a direct personal verbal approach by the researcher. Then the students were given a questionnaire, which contained written information about all details of the research, a form for voluntary informed consent, and a questionnaire. Data collection was carried out during the regular curriculum, while students attended routine activities (theoretical activities), i.e. outside the evaluation period of the curriculum. The researcher (the first author of this paper) was present all the time during the survey, to whom the students could ask questions or turn to for help in order to resolve any doubts related to the survey. Only limited demographic data was collected in this survey, to ensure the anonymity of respondents and to encourage participation and honest responses to the survey.

Study design

An epidemiological study was conducted using a cross-sectional design to assess the prevalence of high-risk for burnout and its associated factors in medical students (STROBE checklist – Additional file 1).

Study population

The research included all medical students at the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Kragujevac (including both regular and repeat-year students) from all six years of study.

Study sample

All students enrolled in all six academic years of undergraduate medical studies at the Faculty of Medical Sciences in Kragujevac were invited to participate in the survey through a direct personal verbal address by the researcher. Data collection was carried out during the regular curriculum while students attended routine activities (theoretical activities), i.e., outside of the evaluation period of the curriculum. The criteria for the inclusion of subjects in the study were that they are of age 18 or over, that they attend regular classes, that they have been given voluntary written consent to participate in the study. The criteria for excluding subjects from the study were age 18 age under 18, absence from regular classes, or the existence of any other objective reason that prevents or hinders participation in the study.

In the study, a convenient sample of 760 participants (out of a total of 836 students) voluntarily filled out the questionnaire (response rate = 90.9%).

Ethical considerations

This study is a part of research approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac (Ref. No.: 01-1176). All participants provided informed written voluntary consent prior to taking part. All participants provided consent for publication.

Questionnaires were distributed during the class to all medical students attending the class, along with a cover letter providing information about the study and a written consent form to participate in the research. All respondents were informed that the researchers will be exclusively responsible for the data obtained in this study, who are therefore also responsible for the privacy of the respondents. For participation in this observational epidemiological study, the subjects were not financially or in any other way compensated. Medical students faced no consequences for refusing to participate in the study. Also, study participants did not have any conveniences due to participating in the study compared to students who did not participate in the study. Also, all participants were informed that they could withdraw from the study at any stage without any consequences. The study was not sponsored, and the researchers received no compensation for participating in the study’s realization.

Data collection

Data collection was carried out in the classrooms of the Faculty of Medical Sciences. Before the start of the study, i.e., the survey, a notice was sent out to the heads of departments requesting their cooperation in the research, in terms of using a few minutes of the lecture class in the auditorium to explain the research to the students and administer the questionnaires. Also, the protocol and objectives of the study were described in the letter, and the anonymity of the participants was emphasized.

Medical students who met the criteria for inclusion in the study were asked to fill out the epidemiological questionnaire and the MBI-SS questionnaire. Respondents had 15 min (± 5 min, depending on the respondents’ cooperation) to complete the questionnaire. The respondents filled in the questionnaires independently during the class.

In this research, we collected only limited demographic data to ensure the anonymity of the respondents and to encourage participation and honest answers to the questions in the questionnaire. All medical students (from the first to the sixth year of studies) were invited to participate in this study on the first day of lectures when students were present at the beginning of the semester according to their schedules and classrooms.

Characteristics of medical students are categorized and included age (years: ≤ 21 / 22–24 / ≥ 25), gender (male / female), place of residence (Urban / Rural), completed secondary school (Grammar school / Medical school), marital status (With partner / Without partner), having children (No / Yes), housing (In own home / With parents / As subtenants / In student dormitory), study financing (State-sponsored / Self-funded), study year (1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th / 5th / 6th), repeat-year students (No / Yes), length of study (years: ≤ 6 / > 6), cigarette smoking (Never / Ever), smoking status (Non-smokers / Former smokers / Current smokers), Yes / No for sports / recreational activity / positive personal medical history / use of sedatives / use of psychoactive substances, training (Preclinical / Clinical). Medical students were considered as smokers if they regularly smoked at least one cigarette per day for one year, and were classified as current smokers (if they had smoked at least one cigarette every day for the last 12 months), and as former smokers (if at least one year passed since smoking cessation).

The survey included questions about the habit of alcohol consumption (alcohol consumption related to the regular intake of any amounts of the beverages during medical studies, while those who consumed were then asked about the frequency (1–2 times a year / 1–2 times a month / 1–2 times a week / Every day), types of alcoholic beverages (Beer / Wine / Spirits / Mixed), Binge drinking). Binge drinking was defined as the consumption of 5 + standard drinks for men and 4 + standard drinks for women on one occasion at least once a month during the last year preceding of this survey. In Serbia, a “standard” drink is any drink that contains about 13 g of “pure” alcohol, whereby it was noted in the survey that a standard bottle of beer, as well as a glass of wine and a shot of spirits represented measures of consumption.

The study included 760 out of 836 medical students who met the participation criteria. Absence from regular classes was the main reason for exclusion from the study (45 students) (Fig. 1 ). After being informed about the research, out of the total number of medical students who met the criteria for inclusion (791 students), 12 refused to participate. The reason for not accepting or refusing to participate in the survey was most often a lack of interest in the study. After signing the voluntary informed consent to participate in the study (779 students), some subjects did not return the questionnaire or did not complete the questionnaire during recruitment for the study, or the questionnaires were not completely filled out (19 students in total). For this reason, the data of these respondents were excluded from the analysis. In our survey, the response rate was 90.9%. The research flow diagram is shown in Fig. 1 .

Research flow diagram

Statistical analysis

Descriptive and analytical statistics were used for the data analysis. The categorical variables were presented as proportions (percentages). The dependent variable was the level of risk for burnout in medical students. Confounding variables are socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, place of residence, marital status, completed high school, etc.), academic performance (year of study, length of study), way of financing studies, housing, habits (cigarette smoking, alcohol use), positive personal medical history (presence of any chronic diseases), sport, recreational activity.

Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate variables that could correlate with burnout syndrome. Univariate logistic regression was used to determine the crude odds ratio (Odds Ratio, OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) in order to assess the association between burnout syndrome and selected characteristics of the study participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the adjusted OR with 95%CI to identify independent correlates of the high risk of burnout syndrome.

Adjusting was done for all variables associated with the burnout syndrome in the univariate analysis models with values of p  < 0.50. In addition, the definitive model of the multivariate analysis included other variables that, according to the literature data, were associated with the occurrence of burnout syndrome. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and the Cox and Snell, and Nagelkerke values assessed the goodness of fit of the regression models. Among the observed variables, multicollinearity was investigated. The test for linear trend was based on a logistic regression model. For all independent factors, the level of significance was p  < 0.05. All statistical analyses were performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 20.0 (SPSS, Chicago, USA).

The analysis was divided into two parts, with the following tasks: (1) to determine the prevalence of burnout syndrome and (2) to determine the associated factors of burnout syndrome among medical students.

Of the 760 medical students who filled out the questionnaire, there were 269 (35.4%) men and 491 (64.6%) women (Table 1 ). The majority of students were between the ages of 22 and 24 (327; 43.0%), 256 (33.7%) students were 25 or older, while 177 (23.3%) were 21 or younger. The average age of the respondents was 23.7 ± 2.7 years (with a range of 19–36). The largest number of respondents (over 90%) indicated the city as their place of permanent residence. More than half of the students (65.5%) graduated from medical school.

A high risk for burnout syndrome was noted in 15.0% of respondents, that is, 114 medical students suffered from high emotional exhaustion, high cynicism, and low academic efficiency (Table 1 ).

In medical students, the risk of high levels of burnout syndrome was significantly lower in females than in males ( p  = 0.024) (Table 2 ). A higher risk for burnout syndrome was recorded in older age groups of medical students, with statistical significance for the trend ( p  = 0.002). Compared with first-year students, a higher risk of burnout syndrome is more often reported among students in higher studies, with statistical significance for the trend ( p  < 0.001. Repeat-year students ( p  = 0.016) and students with a longer duration of studies ( p  = 0.038) often showed a high risk for burnout syndrome. The habits of drinking 1–2 times a week and every day were significantly more common in medical students who had a high risk of burnout syndrome (with significance for trend p  = 0.001). The use of certain types of alcoholic beverages and binge drinking were not associated with high risk of burnout syndrome. The use of sedatives was linked to a high risk of burnout in medical students ( p  = 0.007). The use of psychoactive substances was associated with a high risk of burnout in medical students ( p  = 0.014).

The following variables entered the final model of the multivariate logistic regression analysis (i.e., variables that were significantly associated with a high risk for burnout syndrome in medical students at the p  < 0.50 level in the univariate logistic regression analysis model): gender, age, length of study, re-enrollment year, frequency of alcohol consumption, use of sedatives and use of psychoactive substances (Table 3 ). Due to collinearity with age, the variable - study year was excluded from the definitive model. According to the results of multivariate logistic regression, the main significant independent correlates of high risk for burnout syndrome in medical students were: age of students (for 22–24 aged: adjusted OR = 5.64, 95%CI = 2.58–12.34, p  < 0.001 for aged ≥ 25: adjusted OR = 5.65, 95%CI = 2.08–15.39, p  = 0.001) with p for trend < 0.001 higher frequency of alcohol consumption (for habit 1–2 times a week: adjusted OR = 2.01, 95%CI = 1.01–4.03, p  = 0.048) with p for trend = 0.025) and use of sedatives (adjusted OR = 3.44, 95%CI = 1.31–9.04; p  = 0.012).

This study is one of the first attempts to assess the prevalence of high-risk of burnout syndrome among medical students in Serbia, as well as to analyze the role of demographic characteristics and academic performance of students in burnout. A high risk for burnout syndrome in medical students was noted in 15.0% of respondents. The main significant independent correlates of high risk for burnout syndrome in medical students were age, higher frequency of alcohol consumption, and use of sedatives.

A comprehensive review and meta-analysis of literature published in countries around the world reported different prevalence rates of burnout syndrome in medical students, with an overall range of 7.0–75.2% [ 19 ]. A recent meta-analysis suggests that one in two medical students worldwide suffers from burnout: the prevalence of burnout (covering 17,431 medical students) was 44.2% (8060 students suffered from burnout) [ 15 ]. The prevalence of burnout was higher in countries in Oceania (55.9%) and the Middle East (53.7%) than in North America − 45.8%, Asia − 40.6%, Europe − 27.5%, South and Central America – 26.0%. The high risk for burnout syndrome in this study was recorded in 15.0% of medical students. Compared to medical students in Kragujevac, a lower prevalence of burnout was recorded in medical students of two universities in Brazil (10.3% and 14.9%) [ 20 , 36 ] and preclinical medical students in Spain (14.8%) [ 37 ], while higher prevalence was found in medical students in Great Britain (26.7%) [ 38 ], Ethiopia (34.0%) [ 39 ], Pakistan (30.6%) [ 9 ], as well as in the USA, India, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia (45–70%) [ 21 , 30 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]. Some possible reasons for differences in the incidence of burnout among medical students include differences in culture, socioeconomic status, and study population. Also, some studies included only third- and fourth-year medical students, while our study included students from all six years of studies. In addition, different burnout assessment questionnaires and sample sizes may contribute to differences in the prevalence of burnout syndrome. Comparison of the results of this study with data in the literature may be difficult for a number of reasons, including the use of different measuring instruments and different threshold values for the assessment of burnout syndrome, the use of different criteria for defining burnout syndrome, significant variability in medical school curricula between universities, etc. [ 43 ]. A definition of burnout syndrome that includes a high score on both the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization subscales and a low personal achievement score (according to the MBI questionnaire) may result in an underestimation of burnout [ 44 , 45 , 46 ]. Using a definition of burnout syndrome that includes high scores on the emotional exhaustion subscale or the depersonalization subscale but not a low score on the personal accomplishment subscale [ 21 , 47 ] may result in overestimating the frequency of burnout syndrome [ 48 ].

In the present study, the age of medical students was significantly associated with burnout syndrome. Some studies found that older medical students were more likely to have burnout [ 29 ], in contrast to other studies that found no association between age and burnout [ 49 ]. Similarly to our study, studies in the US [ 21 ] and Pakistan [ 9 ] showed that the high risk for burnout syndrome was significantly more often noted in senior medical students than in the youngest students. But, these findings must be interpreted with caution. The possible explanation for that is that the increase in age is associated with higher academic years. Besides, an increase in age is intertwined with experience (either in studies or social), so the question of a secondary association with burnout syndrome is always raised.

In this study, a factor that was independently associated with a high risk of developing burnout in medical students was frequent alcohol consumption. To date, only a few studies have reported the association between burnout and alcohol consumption in medical students [ 21 , 50 ]. Similar results were reported in a study in the USA, where the frequency of risky alcohol use decreased in older medical students, and the frequency of burnout syndrome increased [ 21 ]. Among UK medical students, higher alcohol intake was significantly associated with higher personal achievement scores [ 38 ]. Findings that burnout can result from alcohol consumption suggest that the association between alcohol consumption and stress is not unidirectional [ 50 ]. Namely, some studies have shown that certain people can use alcohol as a method of coping with stress [ 51 , 52 ]. On the other hand, a UK study found that young drinkers have a “hedonic” approach to excessive alcohol consumption, suggesting that medical students may be drinking for pleasure rather than coping with stress and burnout [ 53 ]. According to the National Health Research Study in Serbia in 2013 [ 54 ], about 1.3% of the population aged 15 to 34 consumed alcohol daily in the previous 12 months. Drinking alcoholic beverages in Serbia is a socially acceptable behavior (as part of traditions and customs), which results in a high prevalence of alcohol use, especially among young people.

In this study, a factor that was independently associated with a high risk of developing burnout syndrome in medical students was the use of sedatives. In a study in Brazil [ 55 ], about 12% of medical students in all years of study used anxiolytics. In a multicenter study in France [ 56 ], in a population of medical students, it was found that first-year students consumed 1.5 times more anxiolytics compared to second-year students: the authors of the study relate this result to the pressure that first-year students have to pass their first exams, resulting in higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders. Among medical students in Cameroon, a significant interaction between various predictors (chronic disease, alcohol consumption, and burnout syndrome) and the outcome - recreational drug use [ 22 ] was noted. The question is whether the use of drugs (antidepressants, anxiolytics, sedatives) can be an indicator of the existence of these primary pathologies, thereby making the occurrence of burnout symptoms more likely. It is uncertain whether the use of sedatives directly causes students to burnout more or whether students who are already underachieving and experiencing high levels of stress turn to recreational drug use as a source of comfort [ 22 ]. As education about drug abuse, as well as alcohol and illicit substances, is part of the core curriculum of medical schools [ 57 , 58 ], this association should be investigated in future studies.

It is difficult to compare the results of this study with similar studies in the world for a number of reasons: different research designs used, application of other questionnaires, use of non-validated questionnaires, variations in the concept and construct of burnout syndrome (with consequent assessment of burnout syndrome as a one-dimensional, two-dimensional or three-dimensional concept), different response rates, differences in the studied populations (in terms of age structure, gender, etc.), studies of all or only selected years of studies, study curriculum, length of studies. A better understanding of the correlates of burnout syndrome in medical students is key to determining solutions to prevent burnout. It is important to carry out similar studies of burnout syndrome in the future, especially using longitudinal studies, in order to confirm the association found in prevalence studies.

The results of this study provide practical implications for students, educators and organization of medical school programs. Namely, identification of factors associated with burnout syndrome, i.e. higher frequency of alcohol consumption and use of sedatives, gives guidance for interventions aimed at preventing alcohol and sedatives use and abuse among medical students, through providing sufficient information about these issues during the studies and conducting training for helping medical students identify and provide peer support to persons at risk of concerning use of these substances. Further on, learning about student burnout should be embedded in curriculums of medical schools in order to raise awareness about this issue and reduce fear about unsuccess in medical studies [ 59 ]. The classes, practical exercises and exams should be organized in a way that enables a balance between the studies and private life. Finally, services aimed at providing student support should exist and deliver both individual and group interventions intended to educate medical students about coping strategies, increasing resilience, stress management and encouragement of a healthy lifestyle [ 60 , 61 ].

Respondents were included in this research through recruitment at one medical faculty, whereby all respondents had the same chance to participate in the study. Consequently, the sample was not selected, which suggests the study sample is representative of the entire population of medical students at the University of Kragujevac. Also, the response rate was high (90.9%). Our research used the validated Serbian version of the MBI-SS questionnaire [ 27 ].

However, this study has several limitations. In addition to the known shortcomings of the cross-sectional study design (such as “ecological fallacy”), a limitation of this study is the use of a self-report questionnaire. Although the principle of anonymity was applied during the survey, the existence of information bias cannot be ruled out with certainty because, although the privacy of all information was guaranteed, there is always the possibility that some respondents did not want to reveal the symptoms of burnout. The limitation of this study can be - the limitation of non-response (non-response bias). Although the response rate is high, there may still be response bias, as individuals suffering from burnout may not have been in class at the time of data collection or, may have chosen not to participate in the study, or may have been more or less likely to respond to the survey. Also, a potential source of response bias can be the phenomenon of social desirability, that is, giving socially desirable answers, rather than true answers, in circumstances where sometimes the presence of classmates, teachers and the overall classroom environment can have a significant impact on responses. In this study, the impact of social desirability bias is reduced by using a survey that relies on self-reports, the survey being anonymous and not containing socially unacceptable questions, as well as by the high response rate. Also, since the study was conducted at one faculty, the results may only be representative for some medical students in Serbia. But, although this study was carried out at one medical faculty, the results of the study can be generalized to a considerable extent, since a sample without selection bias was provided in the study, the sample was unselected, all respondents had the same chance to participate in the study, and a high response rate was achieved (response rate was 90.9%). Further, this study did not provide data on other potential predictors of burnout syndrome (such as socioeconomic status, family history, etc.) that could influence the occurrence of burnout syndrome in medical students. Even with these limitations, this study offers an assessment of burnout syndrome among medical students. Since this is a cross-sectional study, the correlations found may not be actual causative factors, and these findings should be verified in future research.

Conclusions

The prevalence of burnout syndrome in Serbian medical students was estimated to be 15.0%. Burnout syndrome among medical students in Serbia showed a high correlation with the age of students, a higher frequency of alcohol consumption, and the use of sedatives. Those at-risk medical students should be identified to provide adequate support.

Availability of data and materials

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This study is conducted as the part of project No 175042 supported by Ministry of Education, Science and Technological development, Republic of Serbia, 2011-2022. We would like to thank the leadership of the Faculty of Medical Sciences Kragujevac for their support and the medical students for their participation in the study. The authors thank Milena Jovanovic and Zeljko Todorovic, who partially helped in data collection and data entry.

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Conceptualization, II and MI; methodology, II and MI; validation, II and MI; formal analysis, II and MI; investigation, II and MI; resources, II and MI; data curation, II and MI; writing-original draft preparation, II; writing-review and editing, II and MI; visualization, II and MI; supervision, MI; project administration. All authors have read and agreed to the final version of the manuscript.

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Ilic, I., Ilic, M. Academic burnout syndrome among medical students in Serbia: prevalence of high risk and determinants. BMC Med Educ 24 , 948 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05937-7

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