course-details-portlet

FI3204

Master's Thesis in Philosophy

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 45
Level Second degree level
Course start Autumn 2025 / Spring 2026
Duration 2 semesters
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Master's thesis with adjusting oral examination

About

About the course

Course content

Students decide on the topic and readings for the master thesis in agreement with a supervisor. The standard duration of the study is two semesters. The master thesis should document the student's ability to work independently with a philosophical problem. Clarity and coherence of argumentation and exposition are emphasised.

Learning outcome

According to the course curriculum, a candidate who passes this course is expected to have the following learning outcome (defined as knowledge and skills):

Knowledge

  • The candidate has comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of a particular topic/problem area, or a particular philosopher/topic in the history of philosophy.

Skills

The candidate has the ability to

  • delimit, plan and implement a major written work, with a clear research question and clear argumentation, under supervision
  • orient themselves in an extensive literature, and find complementary literature of relevance to the chosen research question
  • orally present either the framework of the thesis, or a specific chapter for discussion
  • defend the thesis orally

Learning methods and activities

Seminars and supervision. The master thesis is written in the 3rd and 4th semesters of study with normal progression. The project description (from FI3022 Theory and Method) must be submitted to, and approved by, the supervisor before the student start writing the thesis (the project description must be approved by both the supervisor and the instructor of FI3022 if the student has been exempt from FI3022). In the 3rd semester, the candidate must present a chapter or part of his or her thesis at the masters seminar. Approved syllabus and abstract of the thesis (max. 1 page) is to be submitted three weeks before the submission of the thesis.

Please see link for the numbers of hours of supervision eligible for your master's thesis https://innsida.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/Norsk/Masteravtale+HF

Compulsory assignments

  • Paricipation master's seminar
  • Submission of the draft of the master's thesis to the supervisor
  • Abstract in Norwegian (alternatively Danish or Swedish) and English
  • Approved reading list
  • Oral presentation
  • Approved project assignment

Further on evaluation

The master thesis should be 18000-30000 words. The assessment of the thesis is divided in three steps: First, the thesis is submitted for assessment. Second, the student must give a trial lecture on a given topic based on the selected readings (30 minutes). The topic of the trial lecture is given ten workdays before the lecture date. Third, there is an oral examination on the same day as the trial lecture. The final grade will be adjusted based on the student's performance in the oral examination.

The Master’s theses must include an abstract in both Norwegian and English.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Philosophy and Ethics (MFI)

Required previous knowledge

FI3022 Theory and Method and FI3021 Project description. Requires admission to the master programme.

Course materials

Students compose their reading list based on the offered teaching and/or in consultation with lecturer.

Subject areas

  • Philosophy

Contact information

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Master's thesis with adjusting oral examination
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Master's thesis with adjusting oral examination
Weighting 100/100 Date Release 2025-10-01
Submission 2025-11-17
Time Release 09:00
Submission 14:00
Exam system Inspera Assessment

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Master's thesis with adjusting oral examination
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment