project report vs dissertation

The terms project report and dissertation are often used in academic and professional contexts, and while they can overlap in structure and purpose, they have distinct differences depending on the level of study, institution, or field. Here's a clear comparison:

🔍 Project Report vs Dissertation
Feature Project Report Dissertation
Definition A structured summary of work done on a practical or technical project. A detailed academic research study, usually for a degree.
Purpose To present the findings of a specific project or task (often applied or technical). To contribute original knowledge to a field through research.
Length Usually shorter (20–50 pages). Longer (usually 10,000–20,000+ words, or more for PhDs).
Level of Study Common in undergraduate or professional programs (e.g., engineering, IT). Common in master’s and doctoral programs.
Research Type Often applied or practical research; can involve implementation or case studies. Often theoretical, conceptual, or empirical research.
Originality May not require original research; can be based on existing methods applied to a new case. Requires original research and critical analysis.
Structure Problem statement, methodology, results, conclusion, appendices. Introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion.
Supervision May have limited academic supervision. Strongly supervised by academic experts.
Evaluation Criteria Practical implementation, clarity, application of knowledge. Depth of research, originality, argument strength, academic rigor.
Examples Building a software tool, creating a business plan, engineering design project. Investigating the impact of climate change on agriculture, analyzing literature, etc.
🎓 When Do You Submit Each?

Undergraduate Program:

You’re more likely to submit a project report.

Master’s Degree:

You often submit a dissertation (sometimes called a thesis in the UK).

PhD Program:

You submit a doctoral dissertation or thesis, which is much more in-depth and original.

✅ Summary

Use a project report when you are showcasing the outcome of a practical or technical project.

Use a dissertation when you are conducting and presenting original academic research.