Recommended prerequisite for participation in the module

Students who wish to register for the Master’s thesis examination must have passed all previous examinations equivalent to 90 ECTS, including examinations of electives stipulated in these regulations.

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

The Master’s thesis is based on a subject that the student is free to select as long as it relates to the central disciplinary areas of the programme.

The Master’s thesis topic must be approved by the study board. Students must submit a structured thesis contract outlining and justifying a preliminary problem formulation as well as theoretical framing and methodological points of departure. The contract also presents a commitment to the submission deadline as set by the study board.

 

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• of extensive theoretical, methodological and empirical approaches to one or more topics covered in the Programme
• of relevant research literature in the area of Tourism.

Skills

• in formulating a clearly defined problem within the chosen topic area that has academic and practical relevance
• in providing an extensive and critical review and discussion of relevant research literature, and critically reflecting on relevant theories and concepts
• in using appropriate digital tools to locate, access, evaluate, utilise and cite diverse information sources
• in developing and applying an appropriate methodological approach to collect relevant empirical material
• in producing a critical and clear analysis of empirical material, using relevant theories andconcepts
• in producing a clearly presented and coherent written project report that complies with academic standards for analysis, argumentation and documentation
• in reflecting on the strengths and weaknesses of the project as well as potential applications and/or implications of its findings for tourism stakeholders such as businesses, governments, NGOs or civil society.

Competences

• in independently designing and managing larger and more complex research projects
• in collaborating with others to achieve goals, giving and receiving constructive feedback and drawing on partners’ knowledge and skills
• in summarising and synthesising research clearly in oral and written form
• in upholding high standards in relation to research ethics, data collection, storage and processing
• in reflecting on work processes, collaborative dynamics and learning
• in relating topic specific knowledge and research findings to broader academic and societal debates
• in continuing own competency development.

Type of instruction

Type of instruction is described in § 17 in the curriculum.

Extent and expected workload

30 ECTS

Exam

Exams

Name of exam	Master's Thesis
Type of exam	Master's thesis/final project An external oral examination in: Master’s Thesis (Kandidatspeciale). The examination will take the form of a conversation between the student(s), the examiner and the external examiner on the basis of a Master’s thesis prepared by one or a number of students. The Master’s thesis must be no shorter than 35 pages, and must not exceed 70 pages per student in a group, or 80 pages if the thesis is prepared by one student. An abstract in English of a minimum of one page and a maximum of two pages must be prepared. Normal duration of examination: 45 minutes (for one student) + 30 minutes per additional student.
ECTS	30
Permitted aids	All written and all electronic aids
Assessment	7-point grading scale
Type of grading	External examination
Criteria of assessment	The criteria of assessment are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures