15 ECTS credits
420 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4022190ENR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
1st and 2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Political Science
Educational team
Wendy Van Den Broeck
Promotor . (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

8 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
412 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

The Master Thesis European and International Governance 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 European and International Governance.

Additional info

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. 

A manual with additional information (on deadlines, manner of submitting, evaluation,…) can be found on the course space (Canvas) of the accompanying course ‘Research Design and Methodology' 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.

Learning Outcomes

General Competences

This course contributes to the following learning outcomes of the Master in Political Sciences: European and International Governance

  • The student can use political science terminology to capture societal change and problems and translate these into a political science research questions; (s)he can do this independently,
  • The student can choose the appropriate methods to answer political science research questions independently, can construct a research design and identify the necessary steps in a research plan independently,
  • The student can reflect critically on the international political science literature and take a position with regards to it, and can, independently, write up his/her research in a report and (s)he can communicate the results orally to peers in an intelligible yet scientific manner,
  • The student can, independently and based on his/her own research, develop a multi-faceted argument and formulate and defend a well-considered point of view,
  • The student can reflect critically on his/her political science research and considers critical remarks of peers in a constructive manner,
  • The student does not allow political dogmas or philosophical worldviews to influence his/her research,
  • The student can use his/her profound understanding of political science to critically assess stereotypes, clichés, and rash generalisations.

Grading

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:

  • Master Thesis with a relative weight of 100 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The following applies to both examination sessions:

  • The student is obligated to upload his/her Master Thesis electronically on the antiplagiarism server indicated by the faculty and to provide the printed proof hereof when submitting the paper versions.

The student who submits a Master Thesis agrees with the rules regarding plagiarism: https://student.vub.be/en/ES#regulations-and-forms (scroll down)

  • The evaluation of the Master Thesis is done in accordance with the evaluation form that can be found on the digital learning platform Canvas.
  • It is mandatory to defend the Master Thesis European and International Governance orally.

Every student defends him- or herself regarding the content and design of the Master Thesis.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Political Science: European and International Governance: Standaard traject