Master’s theses are academic papers intended to demonstrate that the author is capable of independently dealing with scientific topics in a factually and methodologically correct manner. In master’s programs, the thesis accounts for 20 of a student’s total ECTS credits. This is roughly equivalent to 500 hours or 55 working days. Students should select a topic that can be completed within a period of 6 months. Previously written papers that are less comprehensive than a master’s thesis (e.g. seminar papers or bachelor’s theses) can be further developed and submitted as a master’s thesis under the condition that the required workload is met and the supervisor approves. Longer, more comprehensive papers (e.g. dissertations or PhD theses) cannot be condensed and submitted as master’s theses, as the amount of work required in this case would be minimal. Pursuant to the Universities Act 2002, no specific level of academic progress is required before a student can start working on his or her master’s thesis. It is recommended, however, to write the thesis in the final semesters of the master’s program. In any case, students must comply with any program-specific regulations that may apply.

In principle, students are free to select both their thesis topic and their supervisor themselves. The topic must be selected from one of the compulsory or elective subjects specified in the program’s curriculum. Students are permitted to change supervisors up until the date of submission of the thesis. Two or more students can work on a joint topic for their master’s thesis, as long as each student’s individual contribution can be clearly identified and graded separately. The supervisor has the final say on whether a topic is suitable for a joint project.

Prerequisites for supervising master’s theses ·        

• Master’s theses may only be supervised by full professors who hold a venia docendi at WU and by retired full professors. ·        

• Suitable faculty members without a venia docendi can supervise master’s theses at WU upon approval by the Vice-Rector for Academic Programs and Student Affairs. ·        

• Visiting professors may supervise and grade master’s theses during their time at WU. They can complete existing supervision agreements after their term at WU expires. ·    

• Each master’s thesis can only have one supervisor and one co-supervisor.

If you would like to request special authorization to supervise a master’s thesis, please contact Student Support well ahead of time (allow about 2 months for processing).

The guidelines for the Grading of Master's theses can be found here.

Please note: The whole process, including the start of supervision, the submission and evaluation of theses, can only be done electronically.

Step 1

Thesis supervision is set up in the BACH course administration tool under “Betreuung von Abschlussarbeiten” (supervising theses). Here, you can find instructions for setting up thesis supervision. As soon as a thesis supervision has been set up, the student will receive confirmation by email to their WUnet account.

Please note: The whole process, including the start of supervision, the submission and evaluation of theses, can only be done electronically.

Step 2

Students submit their theses online via myWU. All uploaded papers are automatically checked for plagiarism, and the plagiarism report is also available in myWU. You can then either approve the thesis for publication if it meets the necessary requirements and the plagiarism check raises no concerns, or return it to the student for revisions.The affidavit is confirmed by the student directly in myWU. If the paper was written jointly by two or more people, only one author uploads the paper and indicates the co-author(s).

Important: Once you approve the plagiarism check results, neither the thesis title nor the submitted document (including any attachments) can be changed!

For detailed instructions, please refer to the step-by-step guide.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact studentsupport@wu.ac.at.

Step 3

After approving the plagiarism check, you can complete the evaluation in the WU Supervision Database by filling out the evaluation matrix and entering the grade. You can find instructions for grading the thesis here.

For questions regarding the preparation of the evaluation or completing the evaluation form, please email aol@wu.ac.at.

According to § 86 (4) of the Universitätsgesetz, authors of Master’s theses can request a temporary restriction (“Sperre”) on the thesis being made available in the library if their economic or legal interests are at risk. This applies, for example, in cases of new developments that could lead to a patent. The standard duration of the embargo is one year, while the maximum duration permitted by law is five years.

The embargo request must be submitted by the author of the Master’s thesis during the submission process via myWU. Once you, as the supervisor, have confirmed that the plagiarism check is unobjectionable, the request is forwarded to the Program Director. After the Program Director has reviewed the request and either approved or denied the embargo, the student will be informed of the decision via email.

The applicable rates for evaluating a master’s thesis are specified in an operational agreement negotiated between WU, in its capacity as employer, and the Academic Staff Council.

Please note: The declaration regarding the independent completion of the Master’s thesis, etc., (affidavit) is integrated into myWU and stored there.