Starting your dissertation can feel overwhelming, and one of the first questions that often comes up is: how long should literature review be? While there’s no strict rule, most universities suggest it should make up around 20–30% of your total dissertation word count. For example, if your dissertation is 10,000 words, the literature review typically falls between 2,000 and 3,000 words.
However, it’s not just about hitting a number — it’s about demonstrating your understanding of existing research. A strong literature review analyzes key studies, identifies gaps, and shows how your work adds something new. Think of it as the foundation of your dissertation, setting the stage for your research questions and findings.
However, it’s not just about hitting a number — it’s about demonstrating your understanding of existing research. A strong literature review analyzes key studies, identifies gaps, and shows how your work adds something new. Think of it as the foundation of your dissertation, setting the stage for your research questions and findings.