15 ECTS credits
450 u studietijd
Aanbieding 1 met studiegidsnummer 4023578FNR voor alle studenten in het 1e en 2e semester met een gespecialiseerd master niveau.
The master's thesis, variant pre-doctoral track, is a piece of work that completes the master's program. By carrying out the ‘pre-doctoral track’ as a master's thesis the student demonstrates analytical and synthesis abilities, as well as an independent problem-solving ability at an academic level. The “Master Thesis: Pre-doctoral Track” is a trajectory for motivated students with a high research-potential and interested in doing a PhD in the future. Excellent and motivated students (see selection procedure) can opt for this course, instead of the ‘classic’ master thesis course.
The Master Thesis -– Pre-doctoral Track consists out of 3 parts:
A) Participation in several workshops to enhance key research competencies required for developing the research proposal and the scientific article;
B) A scientific proposal (e.g., FWO, Baekeland, Innoviris): The chance to write a full-fledged project proposal during the master studies, increasing the likelihood of becoming a researcher; and
C) A scientific paper.
Supervision of this course will be provided by the course coordinator (A, B, C) and a topic supervisor (i.e., promotor; B & C). Students need to pass for all 3 parts (A, B, C). Group and individual guidance will be provided by the course coordinator (titular) and topic supervisor.
The administrative and substantive procedures for the Master Thesis Pre-doctoral Track go digitally though the ‘Master Thesis Information System’ (MaThIS) following the official confirmation by the supervisors and the coordinators by e-mail. The accepted students will be enrolled by the course coordinators in MaThis.
A manual with additional information (on deadlines, manner of submitting, evaluation,…) can be found on the course space in Canvas and is regarded as an integral part of the course description.
This course is a final paper completing a Master’s programme and cannot be taken as part of a credit contract.
Selection procedure:
Timing:
In prior months prior to the start of the academic year in which the Master Thesis: Pre-Doctoral Track is included, a selection process is organised by the coordinators. Thereto, introduction sessions will be organsed in which the requirements for enrolment to this course and the related different deadlines are communicated. The topic supervisors should who formally agree to supervise the student. This agreement should be send by email to the course coordinators, by the 10th of October, the latest.
For students that hold a bachelor or master’s degree from the VUB, or finalized a bridging program at the VUB
Students need to have ‘great distinction’ or higher for their bachelor, master, or a grade point average of minimum of 77% for a bridging program, or students fall in the top 10th percentile of their class. Having high grades does not automatically give students access to this course. These students will receive a personal invitation by e-mail.
Or
A topic supervisor motivates why the student (without ‘great distinction’ or higher, or fall in the 10th percentile of their class) have potential to start a PhD in the future; both topic supervisor and course coordinator have to approve by e-mail.
For students that hold a bachelor or master’s degree from another university (e.g. international students)
Students need to have ‘great distinction or higher’ for their bachelor or master’s diploma, or fall in the top 10th percentile of their class. Students need to be able to present the VUB with formal proof of their scores. Equivalence with VUB-standards will be checked. Having high grades does not automatically give students access to this course. When interested in this trajectory students have to e-mail the course coordinators to check if they are eligible to participate in this trajectory.
Note: Students do not have an automatic right to participate in this course. They need a topic supervisor (withiin the ES faculty) that is willing and motivated to support them during this trajectory. A topic supervisor is a professor that will act as the master thesis promotor in this trajectory. This Promotor is an expert in the field that students want to conduct research in. The student cannot have been sanctioned based on OER article 118.
This course can only be included on the condition that the student can graduate in the academic year of inclusion of this course and meets the selction criteria. Students can only register for this course after permission from the course coordinators.
The Master’s Thesis Pre-doctoral Track is the final part in completing a Master’s course which forms proof of the student’s capacity for analytical and synthetic work, independent problem solving at an academic level, or artistic creation.
Both the scientific proposal and paper reflect the student’s general capacity for critical reflection or research.
De beoordeling bestaat uit volgende opdrachtcategorieën:
Masterproef bepaalt 100% van het eindcijfer
Binnen de categorie Masterproef dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
For the pre-doctoral track as master thesis, a review and submission process is organized by the course holder via Canvas.
The course coordinator will communicate at the start of the academic year the formal deadlines for submission of interim and final documents.
It is not allowed to use the generative AI to generate output related to the scientific paper & funding proposal.
Deze aanbieding maakt deel uit van de volgende studieplannen:
Master of Political Science: European and International Governance: Standaard traject (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)