Course content

The master thesis shall include a scientific analysis of a topic within political science. The thesis should have the format of a scientific research paper and must not exceed 10000 words (reference list and attachments are excluded). The thesis must be an individual work. The student must participate in two compulsory master's thesis seminars. Supervision constitutes a substantial part of the work with the thesis. This ensures that the student is offered the necessary knowledge and involves an essential control of the collecting and treatment of data, within ethical research guidelines. Supervision is therefore a compulsory component of the course.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student shall:

• have a theoretically comprehensive knowledge of the specific research topic
• learn how one carries out an independent research work
• through the master's seminars and supervision receive an insight into the different steps of the research process: engage in constructive and critical evaluation of others' research, plan research, collect data, analysis and presentation

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

• carry out independent research with the aim of publication in a scientific journal
• through work on a master thesis, acquire skills that are useful not only in relation to research but also in relation to investigative work, teaching, journalism, etc.

Learning methods and activities

Mandatory master thesis seminar and individual supervision. The subject of the thesis must be approved by the department. Students who are admitted to the specialization will be given a supervisor after admission. Every student must sign a master thesis agreement which, among other things, regulates supervision. The master thesis agreement must be signed by January 10 in the spring semester. The thesis has a deadline, and must be submitted within 21 weeks (including Easter) after the submission of the master thesis agreement. The deadline of the thesis is therefore June 6.

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

The student must have completed the compulsory seminars and a midway assessment in connection with the Research-oriented master's specialization.