How to complete your master's programme

(Individual) Write a brief description of what the final phase entails. If the final phase is the same for all degree programs, explain this here.
For search engines, list all degree programs to which the following information applies.

Ian Ehm

Your steps to the master's thesis

Master's theses are academic theses which serve to demonstrate your ability to work on academic topics independently and in an adequate manner in terms of content and methodology. You decide on the topic of your master's thesis in agreement with your supervisor. 

Make sure to obtain approval for your topic and your supervisor early on when you start working on your thesis. Your supervisor may, if necessary, suggest a colleague who holds a doctoral degree as co-supervisor. Please note that you also have to obtain approval for co-supervisors.

The aim is to develop a master's thesis project that you can realistically complete within six months. However, you are not obliged to complete your master's thesis within this period.

Step 1: Find a supervisor for your master's thesis (individual)

Describe how students are assigned a supervisor.

Provide a list of potential supervisors.

Describe the procedure if a supervisor cannot be found.

Step 2: Announce the topic of your master's thesis (individual)

Describe the steps required to register a master's thesis.

Important for editors:

Be sure to include the responsible office, any deadlines, and contact information in the procedure. Be sure to note that approval must be granted by the SPL, even if the submission is made to the SSC. (GDPR requirement)

Step 3: Write your master's thesis (individual)

Please provide helpful tips or links below to assist students in writing a substantive and timely master's thesis.

When registering your master's thesis, please note... (individual)

  • e.g., formal requirements for the project description

    Please explain what the project description should look like:

    • Length
    • Scope
    • Number of references
    • …

  • e.g., formatting guidelines for writing the paper

  • e.g., submission deadlines

    • xxx
    • xxxx
    • xxx 

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Step 4: Check your record of examinations

Open your record of examinations in u:space → Studies → Record of examinations.

  • Does it list all courses you have completed?
  • Are all courses assigned to the correct module?
  • Are all relevant traffic lights in the record of examinations ‘green’?

Please contact us if you have any questions or if a grade has been assigned to the wrong module.

Check your record of examinations in u:space now

Step 5: Check your personal data before submitting your master's thesis

  1. Check your name and academic degrees in u:space.

    Check your personal data in u:space 

     

  2. Your name is spelled incorrectly or you would like to add a middle name? Send us corresponding documentation (e.g. marriage certificate, passport, identity card) via the Servicedesk. The admission office will change your name according to the documentation you have provided. 

    Need to change your personal data? Contact us via the Servicedesk

Step 6: Submit your master's thesis (individual)

Please explain where and in what specific format the master's thesis must be uploaded, and that a confirmation email will be sent once the upload is successful.

Please also describe where and how the bound master's thesis must be submitted.

Information about the plagiarism check

Once you have submitted your work via u:space, it will undergo a plagiarism check. As soon as the plagiarism check is complete, you will be notified automatically via your u:account e-mail address.

Detailed information

Taking your master's thesis offline

You do not want your master's thesis to be accessible online via the university's thesis server? Indicate this in the final step of the submission process.

Note: Taking your master's thesis offline is not the same as placing the hard bound copies of your thesis under embargo according to § 86 Universities Act 2002. A thesis embargo requires specific reasons.  

Step 7: Register for the master's examination (individual)

Describe how students register for your exam and what they need to keep in mind.

Step 8: The master's examination (individual)

Provide information about the exam procedure and next steps.

  • List the items you need to bring to the exam
    • u:card/ID
    • Reading list
    • …

Step 9: Complete the UHStat2 form

The UHStat2 online form is mandatory by law. You will be asked about any study-related stays abroad.

Please note: The month of completion is the month in which you completed your last examination.

To the UHStat2 online form

Step 10: Your graduation documents

As soon as your application has been processed successfully, you will receive an e-mail containing all graduation documents. 

  • Official notice of degree award
  • Degree certificate
  • Diploma supplement specifying your grade point average 

They are usually issued within four weeks after the final examination.