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Master thesis

The master's thesis is the conclusion of your studies. After its successful examination, you will be awarded the academic degree Master of Arts. We recommend that you plan your studies from the beginning so that you can write your master's thesis in the fourth semester.

Requirements:

  • Proof of academic achievements amounting to at least 75 credit points

Organizational matters

Topic/Title of your thesis

The topic can only be returned once and only within the first four weeks of the examination period. If the candidate is prevented from further work for reasons for which he/she is not responsible, the deadline for submission may exceptionally be extended by the examination committee by the time of the prevention, but by a maximum of four weeks. If the prevention lasts longer, the candidate must return the topic. The topic is then considered not to have been issued. After registration of the Master's thesis, the title can only be changed with the consent of the examination committee.

Examiners

Good supervision and preparation is a decisive factor for writing a successful master thesis. We therefore recommend all students to deal with the question of which thematic focal points could be the content of your master thesis right at the beginning and to establish contact with possible examiners, such as the lecturers of the seminars you have attended, as early as possible.

When choosing your supervisor, you should also consider how much supervision you need. Some examiners attach great importance to providing intensive support and guidance for their examinees. Others only want to give a few impulses. In any case, you should obtain the consent of the examiners before specifying them in the application. It is advisable to contact the desired examiners with an elaborated exposé. You have the right to propose both examiners. The examination board will then decide on your proposals based on the following criteria.

  • Only persons who have at least a doctorate are eligible to take the examination
  • At least one of the examiners must hold a professorship or be habilitated
  • At least one of the examiners must also come from the MAIB's pool of experts. This ensures that one examiner from the Department of International Relations supervises your work
  • The second examiner can also be someone outside the participating universities. In this way, you have the possibility to complement your supervisory team with a specialist (regional, thematic or methodological)

Documents for registration

Only a fully completed application form including the proposed topic and the signatures of the examiners and the applicant will be accepted by the examination office. Please name a lecturer in the application form whom you propose as first or second referee. The lecturer must document his/her agreement by signature. A digital signature is sufficient for this purpose. Your registration must also include a topic proposal for your thesis that has been agreed upon with your first supervisor. It is your responsibility to make an appointment with your first supervisor in good time and to agree on a topic proposal with him/her. The first supervisor must countersign this proposal in the registration form.

The registration process is purely digital - an additional registration in paper form is not necessary. Please submit your filled out registration form as a PDF file to the examination office.

Registration dates

Each year, there are five regular dates to register your master's thesis. These are:

  • February 1
  • April 1
  • July 1
  • October 1
  • December 1

After successful registration Your processing time begins the day after the issue of the topic and lasts 24 weeks. The topic is usually issued fourteen days after registration of the master's thesis. The master's thesis should comprise a total of approx. 20,000 words.

Submission of your thesis

When handing in your thesis, you have to assure in writing that you have written the thesis independently and haven't used any sources and aids other than those indicated. Please submit a "Registration for graduation" at the same time as you submit your master's thesis.

The submission process is coducted purely digital. You don't have to send in a paper version of your thesis. Please send your thesis as a PDF file to the office (masterib@polsoz.fu-berlin.de) and the examination office (ma-int-bez@polsoz.fu-berlin.de) by the deadline.