How Long Should a Literature Review Be in a 10,000-Word Dissertation?
Quote from donaldjames on 20 October 2025, 14:09If you’re exploring dissertation topics in higher education, one big question that always comes up is: how long should a literature review be in a 10,000-word dissertation? It’s a tricky balance — you want to show you’ve read widely without turning your dissertation into a book!
As a general rule, your literature review should make up about 25–30% of the total word count, which is around 2,500 to 3,000 words. That’s enough space to discuss key theories, analyze existing research, and identify the gaps your study will fill.
Whether your topic focuses on digital learning, university leadership, or equity in education, a well-structured literature review connects your ideas to the bigger academic conversation — showing exactly where your research fits in and why it matters.
If you’re exploring dissertation topics in higher education, one big question that always comes up is: how long should a literature review be in a 10,000-word dissertation? It’s a tricky balance — you want to show you’ve read widely without turning your dissertation into a book!
As a general rule, your literature review should make up about 25–30% of the total word count, which is around 2,500 to 3,000 words. That’s enough space to discuss key theories, analyze existing research, and identify the gaps your study will fill.
Whether your topic focuses on digital learning, university leadership, or equity in education, a well-structured literature review connects your ideas to the bigger academic conversation — showing exactly where your research fits in and why it matters.
