15 ECTS credits
420 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4010376ENR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
The Master Thesis Political Sciences is the work by which you complete the master’s programme. With the Master Thesis the student demonstrates analytical and synthetic skills or an independent problem-solving capacity on an academic level. The work reflects the general critical-reflective mindset or the research mentality of the student.
The Master Thesis treats a topic that is related to one of the subareas that are addressed within the master’s programme Political Sciences.
The administrative and substantive procedures for the Master Thesis go digitally though the ‘Master Thesis Information System’ (MaThIS). The student takes the initiative in this.
The Master Thesis is written in the language of instruction of the programme. In Dutch programmes the Master Thesis can be written in English or French with the consent of the supervisor.
A manual with additional information (on deadlines, manner of submitting, evaluation,…) can be found on the course space (Canvas) of the accompanying course ‘Onderzoeksdesign voor de masterproef' and is regarded as an integral part of the course description.
The faculty regulations concerning the Master Thesis are also included in the supplementary faculty regulations, chapter V, of the Teaching and Examination Regulations: https://student.vub.be/en/ES#regulations-and-forms
This course is a final paper completing a Master’s programme and cannot be taken as part of a credit contract.
This course contributes to the following learning outcomes of the Master in Political Sciences:
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Master Thesis determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Master Thesis category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The following applies to both examination sessions:
The student who submits a Master Thesis agrees with the rules regarding plagiarism: https://student.vub.be/en/ES#regulations-and-forms (scroll down)
It is not mandatory to defend the Master Thesis in Political Sciences orally.
The student who would like to request an oral defense must notify the department secretariat on this at the latest three days after the publication of the result in Mathis.
On the basis of a reasoned report, a public defence may be imposed on the student.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Political Science: Democracy and Leadership (only offered in Dutch)