Bachelor Thesis Human Resources

The aim of a Bachelor's thesis is to work independently on a scientific subject in the field of Human Resource Management or Family Businesses.

There are two application and assignment cycles per year (see below under Timeline). Bachelor thesis topics that you can apply for are published here on April 23 and October 23 (see below under Topics). 

Your own topic suggestions are welcome.

One of two options is possible for the type of Bachelor's thesis:

  • A comprehensive and complete systematic literature review on a specific HR-related topic or in the field of family businesses.
  • A detailed presentation and explanation of a research question in the field of human resources or family businesses in order to write a conceptual thesis.

Contact

Information
Requirements
  • Completion of the introductory year
  • Successful achievement of the compulsory course “Human Resources and Organization” (or current participation in the course)
  • Successful completion of the proseminar Human Resources (or current participation in the course)
  • In case there are any available topics, students of the Proseminar Organization will be considered and subsequently all other students
  • The regular registration period applies
Credits & Scope 10 ECTS
30 to 40 pages maximum for main part (excluding indexes, appendices, graphics etc.)
Registration from 25.04. (12:00) - 02.05. (12:00) (Date 1)

from 25.10. (12:00) - 02.11. (12:00) (Date 2)

Language German or English
Processing Time Ten weeks

If you want to write your Bachelor's thesis at the IOP, there are two dates every year on which you can apply for an offered subject or with your own subject.

1. Publication of the available subjects

  • Date 1: 23.04.
  • Date 2: 23.10.

2. Registration for the Bachelor's Thesis

Students register for the selected topic.
Registration deadline:

  • Date 1: 25.04. (12:00) - 02.05. (12:00)
  • Date 2: 25.10. (12:00) - 02.11. (12:00)

By email to pauline.kaeser@unibe.ch

Content: Name, matriculation number, contact details, transcript of records, at least 3 prioritized topics or a short proposal (see Topics)

Please note that applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered

3. Feedback

The institute will send feedback via email regarding the topic selection.

  • Date 1: 11.05.
  • Date 2: 11.11.

4. Election Kick-Off Meeting

The student registers for a Kick-Off appointment by email within the given deadline.
Registration deadline:

  • Period for date 1: 12.05. - 19.05.
  • Period for date 2: 12.11. - 19.11.

Email content:

  • Full name, student ID number, contact details, preferred dates (see timeframe for Kick-Off meetings in topic announcement)
  • Note: Late registration for the Kick-Off Meeting will result in the forfeiture of the supervision offer. By registering for the Kick-Off meeting, you confirm your acceptance of the supervision place.

5. Feedback from the institute

Feedback will be sent to the students via email with information about the scheduled appointment.

6. Kick-off Meeting

Between student and supervisor
Possible period:

  • Date 1: 22.05. - 20.10.
  • Date 2: 22.11. - 20.04.

Location: Supervisor’s office
Content: Clarification of the topic

7. Submission of proposal

The student submits a proposal for the chosen topic.
Deadline: 3 weeks after the Kick-Off

Submission format: by email to the supervisor
Content: Proposal according to “IOP” information sheet on written work Department of Human Resource Management (see information sheets)

8. Proposal discussion

Between student and supervisor

Date: 1 week after submission of proposal 
Location: supervisor’s office
Content: feedback, discussion, revision requests, if applicable

9. Optional: Submission of revised proposal

Deadline: 2 weeks after discussion of proposal 

Submission format: by email to the supervisor
Content: Revised proposal based on discussion

10. Approval and start of processing period

The supervisor approves the start of the processing period.

Date: 1 week after submission of revised proposal 
Content: Approval and any comments on revised proposal

11. Interim meeting (optional)

Between student and supervisor
Date: by agreement within the 10-week processing period
Place: online meeting or supervisor’s office

12. Submission of Bachelor's Thesis

Deadline: 10 weeks after approval and start of processing period
Format: PDF and Word

  • By email to the supervisor
  • Note: The thesis is considered failed if the submission deadline is missed.

13. Notification of the grades to the Dean’s Office 

The supervisor submits the grade to the Dean's office. The student is informed of the grade by email in advance.
Deadline: no later than three months after submission of the thesis

14. Optional feedback meeting

Date: by agreement with the supervisor
Location: online meeting or on-site

You also have the opportunity to propose your own topic. In this case, please submit a short proposal (2 pages) with a description of your topic, your motivation and at least 5 relevant sources with your application.

One of two options can be considered as the core content of the Bachelor's thesis:

  1. Preparation of a scientifically sophisticated, comprehensive and complete systematic literature review on a topic in the field of human resources or family businesses.
  2. the conceptual discussion and detailed presentation of a scientifically sophisticated research question from the fields of human resources or family businesses. 

Registration period for the Bachelor's Thesis

  • Period 1: from 25.04. (12:00) - 02.05. (12:00)
  • Period 2: from 25.10. (12:00) - 02.11. (12:00)