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[chaosbydesign]

I've heard the word thesis being used for PhDs as well, and the word dissertation used to describe the things undergrads write in their honours year.

[britmom]

What is a 'viva'?

It's the same as a thesis defense in the US.

Except in the US one does a Thesis for an MA and a Dissertation for the Ph.D.

I, along with others in my department, tend to use dissertation to describe an UG piece of work and thesis for PG's.

[drspouse]

We say dissertation for UG and PGT, but thesis for PhD.

[scotia]

We say dissertation for UG and PGT, but thesis for PhD.

That has been true of everywhere I have worked (not least because sometime our undergraduate dissertations can be better than our PGT's).

[expatinuk]

We say dissertation for UG and PGT, but thesis for PhD.

That has been true of everywhere I have worked (not least because sometime our undergraduate dissertations can be better than our PGT's).

Yes, this is the way that it's usually done in the UK... but the point that I was making is that in the US the term Thesis is for undergraduate (writing a senior thesis) and Master's... the term dissertation is only used for Ph.D.

So... if folks from the US want to apply to UK jobs they need to be aware of the difference. On my cv I write: Ph.D. dissertation/thesis title: Underwater Basketweaving in South Carolina
MA thesis/dissertation title: Getting to Grips with Basketweaving

[scotia]

We say dissertation for UG and PGT, but thesis for PhD.

That has been true of everywhere I have worked (not least because sometime our undergraduate dissertations can be better than our PGT's).

Yes, this is the way that it's usually done in the UK... but the point that I was making is that in the US the term Thesis is for undergraduate (writing a senior thesis) and Master's... the term dissertation is only used for Ph.D.

So... if folks from the US want to apply to UK jobs they need to be aware of the difference. On my cv I write: Ph.D. dissertation/thesis title: Underwater Basketweaving in South Carolina
MA thesis/dissertation title: Getting to Grips with Basketweaving

You are right. I think most UK panels are familiar with the differences, but I do occasionally meet someone who is confused (mostly in HR).