Master’s Thesis Organization

The aim of a Master's thesis is to work independently on a scientific question or topic in the field of organization using an experimental research method or to work on a question posed by a cooperation partner.

There are two application and allocation rounds per year (see below under Timeline). Master's thesis topics are published here on 23 April and 23 October (see below under Topics), which you can apply for. 

Contact

Information
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Proof of achievement for the course Advanced Organization I or Advanced Organization II
  • Completed seminar or current participation in the course:
    • Seminar Organisational Practice
    • Seminar Field Experiments in Organizations
    • Seminar Field Experiments on Sustainability in Organizations
  • 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.
  • Should there still be places available, these will also be allocated to students who have not completed a seminar but have completed at least one of the courses. The regular registration period applies. 
Credits & Scope 20 ECTS
30 - 50 pages
Registration
from 25.04. (12:00) - 02.05. (12:00) (Date 1)

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

Language see Topics
Processing Time Maximum 20 weeks

If you would like to write your Master's thesis at the Institute of Organization and Human Resource Management (IOP), there are two dates every year when you can apply for an available topic or submit your own topic.

1. Publication of the possible topics

Information will be provided via email.

  • 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:andrea.essl@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 2eriod: 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. 

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 supervisor's office
Content: clarification of the topic

7. Submission of proposal

The student submits a proposal for the selected topic.

Deadline: 3 Weeks after kick-off meeting (see point 6)

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: The official thesis period begins on the day of the first proposal discussion.

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: One bound copy and one PDF

  • Via email to the supervisor and submission of the bound copy to the supervisor’s office
  • 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

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)