1. Registration for the Master's Thesis
Thesis ideas for Master's thesis topics can be submitted at any time via email to theses.ifm@unibe.ch. There are no fixed start dates. Students are required to read the guidelines and meet the outlined requirements.
2. Thesis Idea (Research Topic)
Students are expected to independently develop two research questions of interest and submit them to the IFM in accordance with point 1. The requirements for submission can be found in the IFM guidelines. If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact the designated contact person at any time.
Occasionally, specific topic ideas developed by institute staff or external partners are also available on the website (special case). If you are interested, please follow the instructions provided in the corresponding uploaded document.
3. Feedback
After submitting the thesis ideas, students will be invited to a kick-off meeting with their supervisor within a reasonable period of time, provided that the requirements have been met.
4. Kick-off Meeting
Participants: Student and supervisor
Date: According to the schedules of the parties involved
Location: At the IFM (or online)
Content: Feedback, discussion, topic selection and, if necessary, requests for revision
5. Revision of Thesis Idea
As discussed in the kick-off meeting.
6. Approval and Start
Once the thesis topic is approved by the supervisor, the main phase of the Master's thesis officially begins. The thesis must be submitted no later than 26 weeks from the date of approval.
Deadline: The countdown begins on the exact day the thesis idea is approved by the supervisor. Students will be informed of the precise submission deadline.
7. Proposal-Meeting
Students submit an advanced version of their Master's thesis to their supervisor. The proposal should demonstrate a high level of detail, particularly in explaining and describing the methodology and data used. It should include also preliminary results. Further details can be found in the guidelines.
Participants: Student and supervisor
Date: To be arranged within the 26-week processing period, typically between week 10 and no later than week 15
Location: At the IFM (or online)
Content: Opportunity to ask questions, receive feedback, discuss the topic, and consider suggestions for improvement
Important: Students are expected to have already invested substantial effort in their thesis before submitting a proposal. If a proposal clearly does not meet the required standards, the supervisor reserves the right to determine whether the Master's thesis may proceed or must be terminated early.
8. Submission of Your Master’s Thesis
Deadline: 26 weeks after the official start of the processing period
Submission: Please submit your work electronically (via email or file exchange) in PDF format. In addition, provide your supervisor with a printed and signed declaration of independence.
All code and data files must also be submitted separately in electronic form (e.g. Stata, CSV).
9. Grade Submission
The supervisor prepares the grade report and submits it to the Dean’s Office. In addition, students will be informed of their grade and receive a feedback sheet via email from the supervisor.
Deadline: No later than 6 weeks after thesis submission
10. Feedback Meeting (optional)
Requirement: Upon request by the student
Participants: Student and supervisor
Date: By arrangement
Location: At the IFM (or online)
