Master Thesis Human Resource Management

The aim of a Master’s thesis is to work independently on a scientific issue in the field of human resource management or family businesses.

There are two application and awarding periods per year (see below under Timeline). Master’s thesis topics are announced here on 23 April and 23 October (see below under topics) that you can apply for. 

Your own topic suggestions are welcome.

Contact

Information
Requirements

  • Completed Bachelor’s degree

  • Completed seminar or current participation in the course:

    • Human Ressource Management
    • Management of Family Businesses
    • Diversity Management and Inclusion
  • Proof of achievement for the course "Management of Family Businesses" (example) or "Human Resource Management
  • All required conditions must be successfully completed and a minimum of 45 ECTS credits must be earned prior to registering for the Master’s thesis.
Credits 20 ECTS
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
Completion time 20 weeks

Timeline

Should you wish to write your Master’s thesis at the IOP, there are two dates each year on which you can apply for an announced topic or with your own personal topic.

1. Publication of the possible topics

  • Date 1: 23.04.
  • Date 2: 23.10.

2. Registration for the Master's Thesis

Students register for their chosen 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: thomas.koellen@unibe.ch

Email content:

  • First and last name, student ID number, contact details, proof of academic achievement, at least 3 prioritized topics or a short proposal for an individual topic suggestion or for a practice-based master’s thesis
  • Please note that registrations outside of this period will not be considered.
  • Exception: For practice-based master’s theses, short proposals may be submitted on an ongoing basis. Please ensure that the guidelines in the information sheet are strictly followed.

3. Feedback

The section provides feedback regarding the topic selection via email.

  • Date 1: 11.05.
  • Date 2: 11.11.

4. Election Kick-Off Meeting

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

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

Email content to supervisor:

  • First and last name, student ID number, contact details, preferred dates (see topic announcement for available Kick-Off periods)
  • Important: Late registration for the Kick-Off Meeting will result in the forfeiture of the supervision offer. By registering for the Kick-Off meeting, you formally accept the supervision slot. Withdrawal after acceptance will result in failure of the thesis and a grade of 1.

5. Kick-Off confirmation

The student will receive an email confirming the appointment details.

6. Kick-Off Meeting

Between the student and the supervisor
Possible period:

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

Location: Online meeting or on site
Content: clarification of the topic

7. Submission of proposal

The student submits a proposal for the selected topic.
Deadline: 3 weeks after the Kick-Off
Submission format: via email to the supervisor
Content: Proposal in accordance with the Master's Thesis Guidelines (see information sheets)

8. Proposal discussion

Between the student and the supervisor
Date: After proposal submission
Location: Online meeting or on site
Content: Feedback, discussion, possible revision requests

9. Optional: Submission of revised proposal

Deadline: 2 weeks after the proposal discussion
Submission format: via email to the supervisor
Content: Revised proposal based on the discussion

10. Approval and start of thesis period

The supervisor confirms the start of the thesis period via email.
Date: 1 week after submission of revised proposal

11. Interim meeting (optional)

Between the student and the supervisor
Date: By arrangement, within the 20-week processing period
Location: Online meeting or on site

12. Submission of Master's Thesis

Deadline: 20 weeks after the proposal discussion
Format: PDF and Word

  • Via email to the supervisor 
  • Important: The thesis is considered failed if the submission deadline is not met.

13. Notification of grades submission to the Dean's Office

The supervisor submits the final grade to the Dean’s Office. The student will be informed of the grade via email in advance.
Deadline: No later than three months after submission of the Master’s thesis

14. Feedback meeting (optional)

Date: By arrangement with the supervisor
Location: Online meeting or on site

Topics

You may also 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. Practical theses are also welcome in the Department of Human Resources. The contact person for practical theses is Prof. Dr. Andreas Hack. In general, practical theses are only available for Master's theses. Proposals for practical theses can always be submitted, even outside the regular registration procedure.

There are two options for the core content of the Master's thesis:

  1. The empirical (quantitative or qualitative) examination of a scientifically sophisticated research question from the fields of human resources or family businesses.
  2. Preparation of a scientifically complex, comprehensive and complete systematic literature review on a topic from the fields of human resources or family businesses.

Registration

Registration period for the Master's Thesis 

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