When is the hand-in date?

M: OK, welcome back to the new term, and you’re looking forward to writing your dissertation. What I’d like to do in this session is to give you the opportunity to ask questions on writing the dissertation. So anything you’d like to ask?
W:(8-1)Dr. Simon, is there a fixed hand-in date yet?
M:(8 -2)Right. I can confirm that that’s 21st of May, not the 20th as we first stated. OK?
W:(9-1)What about the word limit?
M:(9-2)Well, we try to be pretty flexible on this, but in broad terms it’s 18,000 -20,000.
W: Ah...
M: And you can choose your topics anything from Years 2 and 3...Yes?
W: Well, sir, just some advice really. It’s about computers. Would you advise us to buy one?
M: What can I say? I know it’s a massive expense, but I really feel that it will be of great benefit if you can always look in the Student Union adverts for second-hand ones. Yes?
W:(10 -1)I’ve been looking at some of last year’s dissertations. Is that a good idea, sir? I heard...
M:(10-2)Well, I don’t think you should read them in detail too early or you might end up taking more of their ideas than you realize. But yes, it really is the best guide you can have to the expectations of what’s expected when you write a dissertation. OK...well, great, I hope that sorts a few things out. You can always come and see me or drop me a note if you’ve got any more queries.