Transparent Pricing — No Hidden Fees

Pricing

All our rates are listed below. We charge per word on a sliding scale - longer documents attract lower per-word rates. Express turnaround is available for urgent submissions. Every engagement begins with a £30 deposit and a sample edit so you can assess our work before committing.

Our rates are calibrated against the CIEP (Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading) suggested minimum rates for 2024–25. They reflect the PhD-level expertise of our editors and the specialist demands of academic writing - not the per-word commodity rates of automated or offshore services. All prices are exclusive of VAT where applicable.

Dissertation & Thesis Proofreading

Grammar, spelling, punctuation, consistency, sentence flow and presentation. Surface-level correction only - your argument and structure are not altered.

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From £0.018  / word
Word Count Standard Rate Approx. Total Express Rate (48–72 hr) Approx. Total
Up to 5,000 words £0.030 / word £150 £0.055 / word £275
5,001 – 20,000 words £0.025 / word £125 – £500 £0.045 / word £225 – £900
20,001 – 80,000 words £0.018 / word £360 – £1,440 £0.034 / word Contact us

Thesis & Dissertation Editing

Clarity, coherence, logical flow, academic tone and structure at paragraph level. Includes all proofreading corrections as standard.

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From £0.040  / word
Word Count Standard Rate Approx. Total Express Rate (72 hr+) Approx. Total
Up to 5,000 words £0.065 / word £325 £0.115 / word £575
5,001 – 20,000 words £0.055 / word £275 – £1,100 £0.095 / word £475 – £1,900
20,001 – 80,000 words £0.040 / word £800 – £3,200 £0.072 / word Contact us

PhD Thesis Editing & Proofreading

Combined editing and proofreading for full doctoral manuscripts (typically 60,000–100,000 words). Quoted per engagement following review of the draft.

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From £1,200  per engagement
Scope Standard (14–21 working days) Express (contact us)
Proofreading only (60–100k words) From £1,080 – £1,800 On request
Editing + proofreading (60–100k words) From £2,400 – £4,000 On request
Custom scope (partial chapters etc.) Quoted individually - send your draft for an assessment

PhD thesis engagements are quoted individually following a review of the full manuscript. Rates reflect the complexity, length and condition of the draft. Contact us as early as possible - we recommend a minimum of 4–6 weeks before your submission deadline for full editing work.

Structural editing and editorial feedback are charged as flat fees per engagement, as the work involved depends on the condition and complexity of the draft rather than word count alone. All fees are confirmed following an initial review.

Structural Editing

Assessment and improvement of chapter organisation, argument sequence, transitions and logical flow. Delivered as tracked editorial changes plus a written structural report.

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Dissertation (up to 20,000 words) £350 – £550
Dissertation - Express £600 – £900
PhD Thesis (20,000+ words) £550 – £950
PhD Thesis - Express On request

Editorial Feedback

A detailed written report assessing overall argument, structure, clarity and academic quality. Includes prioritised revision recommendations. No direct editing of the text.

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Up to 10,000 words £200 – £280
10,001 – 20,000 words £280 – £350
PhD Thesis (20,000+ words) £400 – £600
Express (any length) £350 – £500+

Not sure which band your document falls into? Here are estimated costs for the most common dissertation and thesis word counts.

Undergraduate dissertation

8,000 – 12,000 words

  • Proofreading: £200 – £300
  • Editing: £440 – £660
  • Editorial Feedback: £200 – £280
Master's dissertation

15,000 – 25,000 words

  • Proofreading: £375 – £450
  • Editing: £825 – £1,000
  • Structural Editing: £350 – £550
PhD thesis

60,000 – 100,000 words

  • Proofreading: £1,080 – £1,800
  • Editing + Proofread: £2,400 – £4,000
  • Editorial Feedback: £400 – £600
  • Proofreading - up to 10,000 words7 working days
  • Proofreading - 10,001–30,000 words10 working days
  • Proofreading - 30,001–80,000 words14–21 working days
  • Editing - up to 10,000 words14 working days
  • Editing - 10,001–30,000 words21 working days
  • Structural Editing10–14 working days
  • Editorial Feedback5–7 working days
  • Express turnaround (all services)Contact us to confirm

Turnaround times are confirmed when we assess your draft. Express availability cannot be guaranteed - contact us early to avoid disappointment.

  • Initial draft assessmentIncluded
  • Sample edit (300–500 words)Included
  • Tracked changes in your documentIncluded
  • Editor's notes and commentsIncluded
  • One round of clarification queriesIncluded
  • Secure document handlingIncluded
  • Document retention (3 years)Included

How Payment Works

We operate a straightforward two-stage payment process designed to protect both parties.

  • Initial deposit£30
  • When deposit is paidBefore we review your draft
  • Remaining balanceIn full before work begins
  • Payment methodsBank transfer, card

The £30 deposit covers the initial assessment and sample edit. If you decide not to proceed after receiving the sample, the deposit is non-refundable.

Sample Edit Guarantee

Before committing to the full fee, every client receives a sample edit of 300–500 words from their own document. This allows you to see exactly how we work - the standard of correction, the editorial style, and the level of intervention - before making any further financial commitment.

We believe this is the fairest way to do business. If our approach is not right for your document, you are free to walk away after the sample, having lost only the £30 deposit.

How do you calculate the final price?

For per-word services, we use your actual word count (excluding bibliography and appendices unless you specifically want these included). We confirm the final fee in writing before any work begins. There are no hidden additions.

Are bibliography and appendices included in the word count?

Not by default. We price on the main body text. If you want your bibliography, reference list or appendices proofread, let us know and we will include them in the quote separately.

Can I get a fixed quote before committing?

Yes. Send us your draft and we will provide a fixed quote based on the actual word count and condition of the document. The quote is confirmed in writing before you pay the balance and work begins.

Do your prices include VAT?

All prices shown are exclusive of VAT where applicable. We will confirm the applicable VAT position when we provide your quote.

What if I need both editing and proofreading?

Editing always includes proofreading as standard - you do not need to purchase them separately. If you want proofreading first and then editing, we can discuss a combined rate. Contact us to explain what you need and we will advise the most cost-effective approach.

Ready to Get a Quote?

Send us your draft and we will provide a fixed quote, confirm availability and advise on the most appropriate service for your document.