Master's dissertation

A master's dissertation is a paper or research project with which you complete your master's degree. In your master's dissertation, you demonstrate analytical and synthetic ability or independent problem-solving skills. Your master's dissertation reflects your general critical-reflective attitude or research mindset.

Study load of a master's dissertation

The study load of a master's dissertation is equal to at least 1/5 of the total credits of the study programme with a minimum of 15 credits and a maximum of 30 credits.

Final standard study track year

The master's dissertation course unit is programmed in the final standard study track year of the Master’s programme.

Upon a positive recommendation by the Education Council and approval by the Institutional Programmes Committee, substantiated exceptions are possible.

In specific study programmes and upon approval by the Institutional Programmes Committee, the master's dissertation can be staggered across various standard study track years.

Specific info

All information regarding the master's dissertation in your faculty can be found on the faculty webpage for students under the programme info section.

There is also an extensive range of language guidance and counseling services (in Dutch only).

Evaluation master's dissertation

See Article 59 of the Education and Examination Code:

  1. Determine subject, supervisor, commissioners and language
  2. Submit
  3. Evaluation
  4. Archiving and accessibility

Standard agreement master's dissertation

For master's dissertations in collaboration with third parties (companies, non-profit organizations, etc.) an agreement must be concluded. This agreement must be signed by you as a student, by the supervisor of UGent, by the Director of Studies of your faculty and by the organization itself.

This agreement is not to be confused with an internship contract.

Becoming involved in an ongoing research project

If you as a student become involved in an ongoing research project, you must sign a confidentiality agreement. This applies whether the research is funded by third parties or not. Since UGent itself has obligations to third parties and/or can protect the research results, confidentiality remains crucial.

This declaration must be signed before you are involved as a student in the current research project.

Contact

Faculty Student Administration

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