ECON4090 – Master's Thesis
Course content
January 2016 is the last time this course is given. See ECON4091 for information about the new master thesis and oral exam.
The master's thesis will give you an opportunity to write a long academic text, and to apply economic theories in an original topic. You can choose the topic of your thesis freely. However, we recommend that you discuss your plans with your supervisor or a potential supervisor at a very early stage. Please see below for more detailed information.
Based on your choice of topic, you will be appointed a supervisor in the 2nd semester of the 2-year master’s programme, or 8th semester of the 5-year master’s programme. This makes it possible for you to get supervision throughout the process of writing your thesis.
We recommend that you use the last semester of the programme to write and finish your thesis. The length of the thesis should correspond to one semester, five months, full-time work. Because your topic may require access to data or pre-knowledge of particular methods, we recommend that you write a comprehensive project plan immediately after you are assigned a supervisor.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
- find and analyze an economics problem
- learn how to use required methods
- in-depth knowledge of the specific problem chosen for the thesis
Skills
Depending on the application chosen, students should learn to
- write clearly about economic issues.
- seek information about a topic and make independent judgments when using relevant data, theories and available literature.
- plan and complete a large project.
- organize, summarize and analyze data
Competence
- be able to read and understand scientific project reports and articles
- complete a project form idea to finish
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Students must be admitted to one of the master's programmes at the Department of Economics.
Recommended previous knowledge
It is advisable that the students have taken all the courses in their the Master's program before starting to write the Master's thesis.
Teaching
Individual academic supervision is compulsory for all students who write their Master's thesis in Economics. Teaching will take place throughout the semester.
In your 2nd semester (2-year programme) or 8th semester (5-year programme), you choose the topic for your thesis and get a supervisor appointed.
- Practical information about obtaining a supervisor
In your 3rd/9th semester you have to hand in your project plan.
- Academic requirements for the project plan
In your 4th/10th semester you have to write your thesis and hand it in.
- More practical information about the master’s thesis
Examination
The recommended deadline for handing in your thesis is in May in the 4th / 10th semester of the Master's programme.
Please note that your project plan has to be approved before you can hand in your master’s thesis. The deadline for submitting the project plan is 15 October each year, for thesis submission in May the next year.
If you are unable to meet this deadline, it is also possible to hand in the project plan 15 May for submission in September/October, or 15 August for submission in January.
Overview of the deadlines for submissions
After your thesis has been approved, you need to:
- submit the thesis in DUO (both word and PDF, remember to print the receipt)
- print one copy of your thesis and hand it in to the department. The department covers six copies in black and white print if you use the Universities Print Centre. Please note that they need 3-4 working days to print your thesis.
- register for the oral exam
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.