Studium Master’s thesis
Formalities
The regulations governing the Master’s thesis can be found in the Examination Regulations (dated September 14, 2024), in Section I, particularly §§ 17, 18, 20, and 21.
Procedure
Admission to the Master’s examination / Master’s thesis must be applied for using the appropriate form. The application must be accompanied by the documents required under the Examination Regulations. After reviewing the admission requirements based on the submitted documents, the Examination Board grants admission to the Master’s examination by issuing a letter of admission.
The processing period following admission to the examination (i.e., the date of the letter of admission) is five months.
By the deadline, students must submit an electronic version of the thesis by email to the Examinations Office, as well as two printed copies of the thesis and a declaration of independent work using the appropriate form.
Practical Information (Links)
Application for Admission
The application for admission must be submitted using the appropriate form. The form must be completed and signed.
The required documents to be submitted with the application are: 1) a current transcript and 2) a record of the student’s academic progress. Students can generate both documents themselves via their heiCO account.
There is no deadline for submitting the application for admission. However, it is recommended to submit the application only once it is foreseeable that the thesis can be completed within five months. Thorough preparation in advance is therefore strongly advised.
The application form must include the topic agreed upon with the supervisor, and the supervisor’s signature must be obtained.
Since the Master’s thesis is assessed by two examiners, the second examiner may optionally be proposed on the application form. If this option is used, the second examiner’s signature must also be obtained. Please note that either the supervisor or the second examiner must be a university professor.
To be admitted, all coursework examinations amounting to 90 ECTS credits must have been completed and documented on the transcript. One outstanding academic achievement may, however, be submitted during the thesis period.
Preparation
Before approaching someone about supervising the Master’s thesis, it is advisable to have narrowed down the subject/topic, developed a preliminary research question if possible, considered an appropriate theoretical approach, and researched the basic state of the field. If independent data collection is planned, it is also advisable to assess access to the field and the feasibility of the project at an early stage.
It may be helpful—and some supervisors may require this—to prepare a research proposal (Exposé). It is also advisable to discuss a request for supervision in person during office hours rather than by email.
For preparation as well as for writing the Master’s thesis, it may be helpful to attend a course called “Schreibwerkstatt” (Academic Writing Workshop), if such a course is offered in the relevant semester. The course is not mandatory and can also be taken at an earlier stage, for example, in the semester before writing the thesis.
Examiners and Persons Eligible to Examine
In principle, professors and Privatdozenten at the Max Weber Institute are eligible to act as examiners. In addition, individuals holding a doctoral degree who have been granted examination rights by the Faculty are eligible.
Individuals from outside the University may, under certain circumstances, be appointed by the Examination Board as the second examiner.
Submission of the Thesis
In order to submit the thesis as an examination requirement, students must be enrolled in the Master’s degree program in Sociology at 100%.
If the submission deadline falls on a weekend, submitting the electronic version by the deadline is sufficient to meet the deadline. The printed copies may then be submitted subsequently.
The declaration of independent work must be completed and signed. It should not be incorporated into the thesis itself, but submitted separately in a single copy together with the printed copies.
There are no specific requirements regarding the format of the printed copies. Simple glue binding or spiral binding is recommended; the use of report covers or folders is discouraged.
The title page of the Master’s thesis should include, in addition to the student’s personal details (name and student ID number), the title of the thesis, an optional subtitle, the name of the supervisor, and the degree program in which the thesis is being submitted as an examination requirement. The use of the University logo on the title page is not permitted.
It is particularly important to note that if you intend to begin a doctoral program or enter employment on a specific date, the issuance of degree documents or certificates confirming successful completion of the degree can only be guaranteed if the Master’s thesis is submitted at least six weeks before that date, regardless of the formal submission deadline.
In exceptional circumstances, the submission deadline may be extended by up to two months (or up to four months for students enrolled part-time) upon informal application—for example, if illness temporarily limits the student’s ability to study or take examinations. Appropriate documentation must be attached to the application.
Assessment of the Thesis
The Master’s thesis is assessed by two examiners. If the grades differ, the average of the two grades is calculated. If the assessments differ by more than one full grade, the Examination Board decides on the final grade.
If the thesis is graded “fail”, a second attempt may be made. The process begins again with an application for admission. The same supervisor as for the first attempt may be proposed, or a different supervisor may be chosen. Please note that the same topic may not be submitted a second time.
When planning the thesis and submission date, students should take into account that the two examiners have six weeks to assess the thesis. Provisional certificates or confirmations that the thesis has been passed cannot be issued until both assessments have been received. Once both assessments are available and all coursework has been recorded in heiCO, the degree documents can be prepared.
After completing the degree, students have the right, for one year, to inspect their examination records and assessment reports. An appointment for this purpose can be arranged with the Examinations Office.
