EUH4095 – Master's thesis in European History
Course content
The master’s thesis is an independent research project,?based on your own source studies or a historiographical analysis.?The topic for the master's thesis is chosen in consultation with a supervisor and must be approved by them.
You choose the topic and supervisor for your master's thesis in your second semester. You will find an overview of the guidance services offered at the department in the master catalogue. The supervisor is formally assigned by the department based on the topic and available resources in the given semester.
The course is taken in the final semester of the study program.
Learning outcome
- To develop, define, and formulate a smaller, independent research project based on your own reasoning and argumentation
- Select, collect, and analyse primary sources to shed light on a historical issue
- Understand the debates in the relevant secondary literature
- Present your analysis in a clear and accessible language
- To be familiar with the research ethical norms of the historical field and follow academic rules for source use and references
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
This course is only for students who are admitted to European History (master).?
Teaching
The master's thesis is written under individual supervision. The deadline to apply for a supervisor is February 1st for the spring semester and September 1st for the fall semester.
The student and the supervisor sign a supervision agreement. More information about the rights and duties of supervisors and students can be found on the HF's pages about the master's thesis.
The supervisor is normally one of the permanent staff at IAKH's history section. The supervisor and student meet regularly to discuss issues related to the work on the master's thesis.
Students are also encouraged to seek out co-supervision opportunities at other partner universities. If the thesis is supervised by both a faculty member of the home university and a faculty member of a partner university that is full member of the consortium (and if the student completes at least 30 ECTS at a full member partner university), the student can obtain a Joint Degree.
Students are encouraged to actively participate in the academic environment at IAKH and the partner universities and to be in contact with other faculty members beyond their supervisor while working on the master's thesis.
Compulsory activity in the submission semester:?
To be able to submit the thesis, the candidate must fill out an information form by:
- October 1st for submission the thesis in the fall semester
- March 1st for submission the thesis in the spring semester
The information form should include a brief summary of the thesis. The supervisor should be aware that the candidate is submitting the online form.
Examination
Formal requirements for the master’s thesis
The master's thesis should be between 40 and 50 pages, including footnotes. The bibliography and any appendices are not included.
Footnotes and bibliography should be formatted according to the Chicago footnote style (Chicago A).
The master's thesis should have a front page. This should include the title of the thesis, the author's name, the year and semester of submission, and the name of the department and university.
Submission of the master's thesis in DUO and Inspera
- The complete thesis and a summary must be uploaded to DUO Research Archive at UiO. This is done via Studentweb.
- The master's thesis is also submitted in Inspera. You submit the same file in DUO and Inspera.
- Students in the master's program in history must fill out and submit the online form for the submission of the master's thesis/issuance of diploma. See under "Have you just submitted your master's thesis?"
Grading and oral examination
- The master’s thesis is graded by two examiners: one from the home university and the other one from a partner university. The student must defend their thesis at the home university as well as at a partner university.
- The committee first assigns a grade to the written work. The grade is published before the oral examination.
- The candidate will receive a brief justification for the grade on the written work the day before the oral examination.
- The oral examination will last about 45 minutes and will be conducted as a conversation between the candidate and the committee.
- The committee can use the candidate's performance in the oral examination to adjust the grade assigned to the written thesis.
- The final grade is determined after the oral examination.
For more information about the period for oral examinations, see Studentweb. Oral examinations are generally held in June for the spring semester and in December for the fall semester. The exact date can be agreed upon with the examiners.?
Printing
You do not need to submit any printed copies to the department, but if you wish to print your thesis for personal use, the department can cover up to three copies printed at the Graphic Center at the University of Oslo. Printing must take place in the same semester you submit your master's thesis. Contact the study administration at IAKH if you wish to do this.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.