Master´s Thesis

Course content

Objectives for the Master’s Thesis:

Formulating, defining, and operationalising a social science research question in relation to global development in a broad sense. The Master’s Thesis is prepared on the basis of the courses and other teaching activities (including courses merited from other study programmes) covered by the MSc in Global Development programme.
The Master’s Thesis should combine primary or secondary, quantitative and qualitative empirical data, and the data should facilitate/enable/call for a mixed methods/interdisciplinary approach. The use of the different methodological approaches doesn’t have to be of equal weighing.

Education

Master’s Thesis Models

Master’s Thesis – classic format

A thesis of maximum 60 pages with the following main components:

  • An introduction giving an account of the theory and methods employed, outlining the academic background for the study and its relevance for the context of Global Development. 
  • Main section in which the empirical material is analyzed with respect to the selected theories and relevant contexts. 
  • A conclusion.

 

Internship based Master’s Thesis

A Master’s Thesis of maximum 60 pages. The Master’s Thesis must include the following main components, the order and scope of each to be decided in collaboration with the supervisor(s):

  • An introduction giving an account of the theory and methods employed; outlining the academic background for the study and its relevance for the context of Global Development.
  • A consultancy report primarily addressed to an external party, in which a problem from the project-oriented work (internship) is analysed. This report is to be supplemented by a brief introduction, in which the format defining the consultancy report is justified.
  • A paper, in which a theme or challenge relevant to the project-oriented work (internship) is discussed, targeted for an academic audience. 
  • A paper on methods and ethics, giving an account of a methodological and/or an ethical problem that is especially significant for the fieldwork and the project

 

Academic article

A Master’s Thesis of maximum 60 pages with the following main components:

  • An introduction giving an account of the theory and method(s) employed, outlining the academic background for the study and its relevance for the context of Global Development.
  • One article. The article must be targeted for a specific scientific journal. Students must enclose guidelines for the chosen journal.
  • A policy brief aimed at a relevant target audience (ministry, company, NGO, research institution, think tank). 
  • A paper on methods and ethics, giving an account of the method(s) chosen and one or several ethical problem that is especially significant for the project.

 

The Head of Studies must approve the student's choice of topic for the Master’s Thesis.

 

Master’s Thesis students must comply with the rules on confidentiality and collaboration with third parties as well as confidentiality as  Curriculas common part. Furthermore, students must comply with regulation regarding the collection and handling of data. If students use data collected as part of the course “Master’s Thesis Data Collection”, this must be clearly and unambiguously mentioned in the method section of their Master’s Thesis.
If a student is doing fieldwork abroad, the student must inform the supervisors about the field work, the location of the field work, the duration of the field work and any possible ethical considerations or relevant risk assessments related to the field work. The student is expected to follow the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel advice before undertaking a fieldwork abroad.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

  • Understand how to set up clear research questions and objectives and perform systematic and logical research on global development.
  • Display comprehensive knowledge of the Master’s Thesis topic and relevant theory and methods.

 

Skills:

  • Identify and process primary or secondary, quantitative and qualitative empirical material of relevance to the analysis.
  • Critically select, discuss and apply relevant interdisciplinary/mixed methods methodological approaches as well as relevant theoretical concepts in an analysis of global development.
  • Ability to connect empirical analysis to theoretical insights.
  • Set up clear research questions and objectives, and carry out systematic, independent and research-based answers to these questions within one or more core areas of the programme.
  • Communicate specialised knowledge at a high academic level in English.

 

Competences:

  • Ability to analyse and critically reflect upon challenges and possible solutions related to global development.
  • Ability to identify the contribution and generalizability of one´s own work in relation to a larger research field.
  • Critically evaluate one’s own work by reflecting upon the strengths and weaknesses of the applied methods and theories.

Supervision.
Students are given 6x45 min of supervision which can be distributed between their supervisor and a potential co-supervisor. Students are not entitled to additional supervision after the first exam attempt. For each additional student, the supervision sessions are extended with 15 minutes.

Formal requirements for written assignments and exams are described in Curricula’s Common Part.

Oral
Individual
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
ECTS
30 ECTS
Type of assessment
Home assignment
Oral examination, 45 min under invigilation
Type of assessment details
The Master’s Thesis is an individual or group based, written home assignment on an optional subject and an oral examination of 45 minutes (excl. voting). At the oral examination the student will be given 5-10 min to make a presentation of the home assignment. A group based, oral examination will be prolonged by 15 minutes per extra student.

The oral examination is a defence of the written home assignment and its components.
In connection with the oral defence, the student must demonstrate a command of the methodologies applied in connection with the preparation of the Master’s Thesis, and must be able to account for the results of the Master’s Thesis in a clear, well-argued and comprehensible manner.

The maximum length of Master’s Thesis is 60 pages for one student. For groups of students writing together, the maximum length of the Master’s Thesis is extended by 10 extra pages for each additional student.

The maximum group size is 4 students. In case of a group Master’s Thesis the rules and regulations for group work apply (see the Curriculas common part).

The Master’s Thesis must include a summary written in English or Danish. The summary is included in the overall assessment of the Master’s Thesis.
Examination prerequisites

It is a requirement that 60 ECTS credits have been passed before the thesis writing period begins. Students are strongly encouraged to place the Master’s thesis in their final semester, and as a minimum complete all compulsory courses before writing their thesis.

Aid
All aids allowed

Use of Generative AI in Written Examinations at Global Development

At the MSc in Global Development, the use of generative AI software and Large Language Models (AI/LLMs), such as ChatGPT, is permitted in all written examinations categorized as ‘All Aids Allowed’. The use of generative AI/LLMs must, however, comply with the conditions outlined below:

 

  1. Generative AI/LLMs must never be used to generate new and original content, as written examinations are expected to reflect the student’s own knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
  2. However, students are allowed to use generative AI/LLMs as an exam aid to enhance the presentation of their own original work, for example, for text editing, argument validation, or improving statistical code.

 

Regardless of how AI/LLMs are used, students must clearly disclose their use in an appendix, which will not count towards the overall length of the examination submission. This appendix must specify how the AI/LLMs were used and for what purpose(s).

 

Please note the specific requirements for quotations marks and source referencing when using GAI as an exam aid. Failure to provide proper attribution will be considered plagiarism.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Re-exam

Students who fail to submit their Master’s thesis within the stipulated deadline must register for a second examination attempt (and, if needed, a third attempt) in accordance with the rules laid down by the Curricula’s Common Part.

Criteria for exam assessment

Students are assessed to the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.

 

To obtain the top grade “12”, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes. Furthermore, the student must apply a mixed methods/​interdisciplinary approach to obtain the top grade “12”.

 

To obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.

 

 

Spelling and writing skills are considered in the overall assessment of the Master’s Thesis, but the academic content is given the highest weight, see the Examination Order.

  • Category
  • Hours
  • Guidance
  • 4,5
  • Exam
  • 820,5
  • English
  • 825,0

Kursusinformation

Language
English
Course number
AGDK14007U
ECTS
30 ECTS
Programme level
Full Degree Master
Duration

1 semester

Placement
Spring And Autumn
Studyboard
Study Board for Global Development
Contracting department
  • Department of Anthropology
Contracting faculty
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
  • John Rand   (9-71766f75357968756b476c6a767535727c356b72)
Saved on the 30-05-2025

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