Thesis Acknowledgements Guide: How to Write and Position Your Thanks

Where should I include acknowledgements in my thesis?

Have you finished your thesis and are stuck on the acknowledgements page? Learn where to include them, the correct order of people to cite, and the mistakes to avoid. Includes a downloadable infographic.

Congratulations! If you've reached this page, it means you've (almost) finished the monumental task of your thesis. You've survived sleepless nights, endless corrections, and liters of coffee. Now, just one last, crucial piece is missing: the thesis acknowledgements .

Seems like the easiest part, right? Yet, many students get stuck right here. “Where should I put them? Before or after the index finger?” “Should I thank the teacher or my parents first?” “How long should they be?”

Don't worry, it's normal. Acknowledgements are the only part of your thesis where you can abandon the academic tone and let your personal voice emerge. It's your time to express gratitude to those who supported you along this journey.

To make everything incredibly simple for you, I've created this infographic that summarizes everything you need to know at a glance.

Let's now analyze in detail the key points shown in the infographic to help you write perfect thank you notes.

1. Where should I include acknowledgements in my thesis?

This is the first question everyone asks. As you can see on the left side of the infographic, there's no hard and fast rule, but two main options:

Option 1: At the Beginning (The most common and recommended)

Most students choose this route. Placing your acknowledgments immediately after the title page (and any dedication) and before the table of contents ensures maximum visibility. Anyone who opens your thesis will immediately read your words of gratitude before delving into the technical chapters.

Option 2: At the End (More academic tone)

Some faculty or supervisors prefer a more rigorous approach, where the body of the thesis isn't "interrupted" by personal notes. In this case, the acknowledgements go at the end, between the conclusions and the bibliography . They are perceived as a "personal conclusion" to your journey.

💡 Please note: The difference between a dedication and an acknowledgement. Don't confuse them! A dedication is a very short sentence (one or two lines) placed on a separate page, immediately after the title page (e.g., "To my grandfather, who always believed in us" ). Acknowledgements are a more detailed text, usually one page long.

2. Whom should we thank and in what order? (The Pyramid of Gratitude)

The order of the acknowledgements isn't random. It follows a hierarchy from formal to personal, just like the pyramid in the infographic.

1. Academic Field (At the top of the pyramid - Formal): We always start from institutional figures.

   • The Speaker: It's essential. Thank him for his guidance, patience, and the knowledge he shared.

   • The Co-Advisor (if any): For his/her insights and support.

   • Other teachers, tutors, laboratory technicians, or organizations/companies that provided data or hosted your internship.

2. Personal Support (Middle - Sincere and Emotional): This is where we get to the heart. It's time to thank those who have supported you emotionally (and often financially).

   • The Family: Parents, brothers, sisters.

   • The Partner: Whoever supported you through the pre-graduation stress deserves a special mention!

3. Friends and Colleagues (At the Base - Affectionate): Finally, the extended support group.

   • Lifelong friends who distracted you when you needed it.

   • The classmates with whom you shared exam anxiety and coffee breaks.

3. How to Write Them: Style Tips (Dos and Don'ts)

Writing acknowledgements may seem easy, but there are pitfalls lurking. Use the infographic's green and red checklist as a guide.

✅ WHAT TO DO (YES):

• Be honest: Avoid overly pompous formulas if they don't apply to you. Simplicity pays.

• Balanced tone: Use formal and respectful language for teachers, and gradually warmer language for family and friends.

• Brevity: You're not writing a novel. One page (200-400 words) is the ideal length.

• Proofread! Finding a typo in your acknowledgments just as you're handing in your thesis to your supervisor is embarrassing. Triple-check your spelling.

❌ WHAT TO AVOID (NOT):

• Copied phrases: "I thank the supervisor for his immense availability..." is found in a thousand theses. Try to personalize the reason you're thanking him.

• Endless lists: You don't have to thank the local baker or the third cousin you met once. Just mention those who played a real role in your journey.

• Excessive familiarity: Even if you have an excellent relationship with the speaker, avoid nicknames or barroom tones. It remains an official document.

Conclusion

The thesis acknowledgements are your moment to close the circle. Take an hour, breathe deeply, and write from the heart, following the structure we've suggested.

Good luck with the discussion!

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