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Master Thesis

Title
Master Thesis
Semester
F2025
Master programme in
Business Administration and Leadership / Business Administration and Leadership
Type of activity

Master Thesis

Teaching language
English
Study regulation

Read about the Master Programme and find the Study Regulations at ruc.dk

REGISTRATION AND STUDY ADMINISTRATIVE
Registration

You register for activities through stads selvbetjening during the announced registration period, which you can see on the Study administration homepage.

Number of participants
ECTS
30
Responsible for the activity
Ada Scupola (ada@ruc.dk)
Head of study
Mette Apollo Rasmussen (apollo@ruc.dk)
Teachers
Study administration
ISE Registration & Exams (ise-exams@ruc.dk)
Exam code(s)
U60032GB
ACADEMIC CONTENT
Overall objective

Overall objective In the Master thesis, the student must demonstrate knowledge and skills in applying scientific theories and methods in work on a defined, academic and relevant issue in business management. The Master thesis is a major, independent study project that is problem-oriented, exemplary and participant-managed. The Master thesis consists of a time-limited and targeted academic process in which a problem is formulated, analysed and processed.

Detailed description of content

The thesis starts with a thesis start-up seminar the semester prior to the thesis itself. A thesis contract is handed in to the administration prior to the start, and must be approved by the head of study, who then allocates a thesis supervisor.

The thesis is supported by a thesis seminar where the students will acquire advanced knowledge, skills and competences on several aspects of the master thesis writing process such as theoretical and epistemological choices and application, methodology, different types of advanced literature review, master thesis structure, writing process and writing style. The master thesis seminar both refreshes the students of what they have learned so far in their education as well as introduces new and advanced elements/methods /epistemological angles.

The Master Thesis Seminar at Business Administration and Leadership touches upon all the main aspects of the thesis writing process. The overall aim of the Master Thesis Seminar is: to provide inputs and inspiration for writing the master thesis; to create a forum where the students have the opportunity to discuss both their own thesis ideas and common themes related to the master thesis writing process.

The main themes of the seminar are:

  1. Problem formulation and its relation to the other elements of the thesis (e.g. theory, method, philosophy of science)
  2. Role and choice of theory and literature reviews
  3. Role and choice of philosophy of science
  4. Role and choice of methodology and research design
  5. Project structure, writing process and writing style
  6. Relations with external organizations/companies
Course material and Reading list

Basic literature will be provided during the thesis seminar.

Overall plan and expected work effort

For a 30 ECTS thesis, the total expected workload is 810 student working hours, corresponding to approximately 37 hours per week during the semester. The work may be expected to be divided into the following activities:

Group/project formation Project work and report writing - 720 hours Project supervision and preparation - 30 hours Participation in thesis seminar - 12 hours Preparation for thesis seminar - 28 hours Exam and preparation - 20 hours

Format
Evaluation and feedback

The activity is evaluated regularly according to the study board evaluation procedure. See link to the study board evaluation practice here: https://intra.ruc.dk/nc/for-ansatte/organisering/raad-naevn-og-udvalg/oversigt-over-studienaevn/studienaevn-for-erhvervsoekonomi-og-virksomhedsstudier/arbejdet-med-kvalitet-i-uddannelserne/

Programme
ASSESSMENT
Overall learning outcomes

  • Apply research-based knowledge and understanding within the field of leadership. Including reflecting on the placement of their own thesis within the subject area of the program.

  • Identify and present an academic problem formulation related to leadership.

  • Select, apply, and evaluate relevant scientific literature as well as relevant scientific methods and theories in connection with leadership and in relation to a self-selected problem formulation.

  • Select, present, and justify the choice of a research design based on relevant scientific theory and select, apply, and justify research methods relevant to the analysis.

  • Analyze, categorize, discuss, reflect on, and evaluate theories in leadership on a scientific basis, thereby demonstrating theoretical overview, depth, and conceptual clarity in the analysis of cases and/or issues related to leadership.

  • Independently initiate, manage, and complete a project based on a complex, interdisciplinary problem formulation and in a reflective and critical manner carry out lengthy academic research and writing process and communicate research-based knowledge to peers and practitioners.

  • Finally, students will be able to critically assess and reflect on their own learning.

Form of examination
Master thesis exam based on the written product and the oral exam

The master thesis can be written individually or in a group. Permitted group size: 2-4 students.

The oral exam is individual for students that have written the thesis alone or students that have requested an individual exam. All other oral master thesis exams are conducted as group exams.

The assessment is individual and based on the student's individual performance.
The assessment is an assessment of the master thesis and the oral performance.

The character limits of the master thesis are:
For 1 student: 122,400-163,200 characters, including spaces.
For 2 students: 163,200-204,000 characters, including spaces.
For 3 students: 163,200-204,000 characters, including spaces.
For 4 students: 163,200-204,000 characters, including spaces.

The character limits include the cover, table of contents, summary, bibliography, figures and other illustrations, but exclude any appendices.

The master thesis must include a summary.
The summary can either be written in English or Danish.
The summary is included in the overall assessment with a weighting of 5 percent.

Time allowed for exam including time used for assessment for:
1 student: 30 minutes.
2 students: 60 minutes.
3 students: 75 minutes.
4 students: 90 minutes.

Writing and spelling skills in the thesis are part of the assessment and will count for 10 percent.

Permitted support and preparation materials at the oral exam: All.

Assessment: 7-point grading scale
Moderation: External examiner
Form of Re-examination
Samme som ordinær eksamen / same form as ordinary exam
Type of examination in special cases
Examination and assessment criteria

• Written and oral demonstration of empirical and theoretical knowledge of business administration within the subject area of the thesis, and argumentation for the choice of a delimited, academically relevant, scientific problem statement. • Identify and critically argue for the choice of academic literature and methodology as well as a scientific-theoretical standpoint to illuminate the chosen issue, including demonstrating an understanding of the academic genre and the audience at which the thesis is aimed. • Independently combine and master academic insights (theories, methods, approaches) • Independently translate theories, methods and approaches into an academic study and analysis in accordance with academic text standards and for an academic audience.

Exam code(s)
Exam code(s) : U60032GB
Last changed 19/12/2024

lecture list:

Show lessons for Subclass: 1 Find calendar (1) PDF for print (1)

Friday 31-01-2025 12:30 - 31-01-2025 15:00 in week 05
Master Thesis Seminar (BAL)

Friday 14-02-2025 12:30 - 14-02-2025 15:00 in week 07
Master Thesis Seminar (BAL)

Tuesday 25-02-2025 12:30 - 25-02-2025 15:00 in week 09
Master Thesis Seminar (BAL)

Friday 14-03-2025 12:30 - 14-03-2025 15:00 in week 11
Master Thesis Seminar (BAL)

Friday 11-04-2025 12:30 - 11-04-2025 15:00 in week 15
Master Thesis Seminar (BAL)

Friday 02-05-2025 12:30 - 02-05-2025 15:00 in week 18
Master Thesis Seminar (BAL)

Monday 02-06-2025 10:00 - 02-06-2025 10:00 in week 23
Master Thesis in Business Administration and Leadership - Master Thesis hand-in, exam