master thesis uio

Guidelines for the layout and format of the master's thesis

The department of Bioscience have prepared recommended guidelines for the master's thesis' format and layout.

Suggestions for setting up the master's thesis

Cover page template

• Acknowledgements
• Table of contents
• Bibliography

Tips for format and layout

You should choose the format and font in the master's thesis with a view to the best possible readability. Select the same font in all parts of the document. The most common is Times New Roman, 12 pt. The pages should have a margin of 2.5-3 cm and one and a half line spacing.

It is a good idea to use the styles in Word for table of contents, section division, page numbers, footnotes and references. Creating a template before you start the writing process will make it easier to keep track of the amount of text.

Referencing tools such as Endnote and Zotero can be helpful for keeping your references consistent and organized.

It can also be useful to look at previous Master thesis submitted in your subject .

T he University Library and the Academic Writing Center  have courses and resources that can help you

• find relevant literature
• write and structure academic texts
• write more efficiently, e.g. by using reference programs and styles in Word
• Formal demands

A 60-credit master's thesis is usually between 60–100 pages. A 30-credit assignment is usually be 30-50 pages. Appendix, bibliography, etc. in addition. A default page is approx. 2300 characters without spaces. Check the subject page of your master's thesis for exact requirements for page numbers and any other subject-specific formal requirements.

Remember that it is important to be careful about listing all the sources you have used. When quoting, be sure to clearly mark where the quote begins and where it ends. All submitted assignments are run in the plagiarism control program URKUND. Here you can learn the correct use of citation and source references.

On the course page for your master's thesis, you will find information about which language (s) the thesis is to be written in. Title page, synopsis, etc. are usually written in the language in which the thesis is written.

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Thesis Format

The following guidelines apply for the format of your thesis at the Department of Media and Communication:

Ordinary master's thesis, 60 ECTS 

• The master’s thesis is a dissertation between 80 and 100 pages, including body text and notes.
• Reference list, front page, etc., come in addition.
• Please consult the program description for specific requirements to your master thesis

Practical master's thesis, 60 ECTS 

• The theoretical part should contain between 60 and 65 pages, including body text and notes
• Reference list, front page etc. come in addition.
• The practical part is submitted separately.
• Please consult the program descritption for specific requirements for your master thesis.

What is a normal page?

• A written sheet in A4-format, including margins on the left and right side;
• Top margins and bottom margins of at least 2.5 cm;
• The line spacing should be 1.5 with a font size of 12;
• A font no smaller than Times New Roman size 12;
• All pages must be numbered at the bottom of thepage, either in the middle or alternating right-left side every other page.

A smaller font may be used in tables, figures, foot notes and the bibliography, as long as the readability is preserved.

A thesis must have a preface containing the name of your supervisor and which semester the supervision has taken place. Example: Supervisor: NAME (spring 2018-spring 2019).

Acknowledgements

It is customary to thank all those who have contributed positively to conducting the research and writing the thesis, in the preface.  

• The thesis should include an abstract of maximum 1 page.
• The abstract should include the most important research results.
• Remember that the abstract is written for the media and outsiders who do not know your research. We use the information in the abstracts when publishing informasjon about your master thesis' presentation on the Department's website. Use this opportunity to show the world what you have achieved!

We recommend you to have a look at the templates produced by the University's Graphic Centre . If you decide not to use the template, please remember that the front page should include the following information:

• Title of your thesis, and subtitle, if any
• Your full name
• Master's thesis in SUBJECT (according to your study programme)
• University of Oslo
• Department of Media and Communication

Date: xx.xx.20xx

Template for master thesis

The University Graphic Centre have made a template for master thesis' in Word-format.

If you have any questions, the answer is just one email away - ask us in the IMK's section of studies !

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Master thesis - Institute of Health and Society (HELSAM)

There is a lot to consider when writing a Master thesis. Here you will find information about how to write, what to do according to the quality asurance system and how to conduct yourself as a project team member.

1. Choosing a topic

• Research groups and research projects at Helsam
• Cooperation with other students, co-writing
• Previously submitted Master's theses at Helsam
• Copyright and DUO  
• Get help with your innovative idea at UiO Growth House 

2. Supervision of your masters project

• Supervision contract can be found on your study program  in the Master thesis course content
• Ethical guidelines for supervisors at UiO
• Defining the Role of Authors and Contributors
• Be aware that you will lose access to the Canvas pages after your graduation

3. Approvals and authorizations

• Routines for the initiation of research projects at HELSAM
•  Supervisor roles and tasks in student projects   (only in Norwegian)
• Supervisor check list_english
• This is how your supervisor register your project in Forskpro

4. Processing personal data in research

• Student researchers and privacy protection 
• Routines for processing personal data in research projects
• Students checklist for processing personal data  ( only in Norwegian)

5. Doing field work?

• Students and safety abroad
• Check with  the embassy  of the country you will be visiting if visa is required
• You may go on a exchange semester when writing your thesis 
• Helsam scholarship-support for field work travel expenses 
• Scholarships and summer schools

6. How to store and handle your research data

• How to classify data and information
• Information security for your master project 
• Your supervisor has to register the project in TSD if you need to store sensitive data
• Copyright to your master project

7. Writing your thesis

• Use of sources and citations
• Everything you need to know about citing and referencing
•  Searching and writing tools for academic writing
•  Academic writing centre at UiO  
• Layout and formatting your master's thesis
• Plagiarism check

8. Submission

• You will find deadlines for handing in your thesis on your study program  in the Master thesis course content
• The Master thesis is to be submitted to Inspera  and  to the University of Oslo's open research archive (DUO)
• Restricting access to your master's theses in DUO
• Fill in the checklist and deliver to your supervisor when the project is finished  (form only in Norwegian)

Need someone to talk to about your study plan?

• Student advisers 
• Knutepunktet International student reception
• Career Services at UiO

Challenges in your daily life?

• Need someone to talk to? 

Master's Thesis in Special Needs Education

On this website we have gathered the information you need to know with regards to the Master's Thesis. The information is intended for students of  the master's programme in Special Needs Education . 

Course page

What should i write my thesis on .

• Would you like to write your thesis in collaboration with one of the department’s research projects?

Our researchers a nd their area of research

Would you like to write your thesis in collaboration with a company or organisation? Find a project through UiO's Science Shop

Student articles

Project planning - Research proposal

The Master's Thesis is based on the research proposal compiled during the compulsory master’s thesis seminar.

You may choose to do the data-collection abroad, i.e. in your home country. 

Two students can choose to write their thesis together, i.e. co-author a master thesis. 

• Guidelines for research proposal

Writing the Master's Thesis

Before you start working on your master's thesis it is important that you familiarise yourself with the requirements for the Master's Thesis

• Guidelines for different types of research projects
• Requirements for Master's Theses

Tips and help with writing

• The Academic writing centre offers writing assistance to students at any stage of the writing process. Find more information about the writing center and book a consultation here. 
• On the website  Search & Write  you can find useful tips for thesis writing related to the writing process, language, style and structure .

Supervision

• Information about master’s thesis supervision

A signed supervision agreement must be submitted to the Department of special needs education by 1 st of February.

• Supervision agreement form

Submit your supervision agreement

Privacy protection and Research Papers

• Privacy protection, data handling and Data Protection Services at Sikt (formerly NSD)

Loans of Research Equipment and Assessment Tools

• The Department's LAB,  Oslo SPeLL , has a large selection of tests, assessment tools and observation materials covering many areas. 
• Loans of audio recorders

Leave of Absence and Delay

• Postponement of submission. Leave of Absence and delays in completion of the Master's Thesis

The submission of Master's Theses is electroni c

Assessment and grading

The Master's thesis is assessed by an examination committee consisting of two examiners, at least one of whom must be an external examiner. The candidate’s supervisor cannot be one of these persons. The Master's Thesis is assessed against the criteria defined in the assessment guidelines. The examination committee must reach a consensus regarding the grade. 

The grading deadline for master's theses is 8 weeks.  A written explanation of the grade will be published together with the grade in Studentweb on the date of the deadline. 

Would you like a printed copy of your Master's Thesis?

The Department of Special Education covers the costs of one printed copy of your Master's Thesis, with the condition that you use UiO's Print Centre. Select black/white two-sided print. You will have to cover the costs for pages that contain colors yourself. 

When you order, use the location code 18150000 and budget code 102498002.

When you have completed a study programme, your diploma is issued automatically. The diploma will be sent to the address registered in Studentweb. Make sure the address you have registered is correct. You will also find a digital diploma in Studentweb. 

• Diploma for Completed Study Programmes

If you want to improve the results that constitute part of a degree, you can defer your diploma for up to two semesters. 

• Deferral of a diploma to improve grades

If you have questions regarding your diploma contact the Student information center at the faculty

Available MSc theses at the Department of Geosciences

Do you not find a thesis you like? You can also make contact with the programme option coordinator and ask for an opportunity to get a tailored thesis within a subject, or a current issue that you are interested in.

You cannot start working on a Master's thesis before you have formally been admitted to the master's programme in Geosciences or CS: Geoscience, or have made an individual agreement with the Student administration.

• Applied Basin Analysis: Processes, Resources and Evolution of Life
• Environmental Geosciences, Geohazards, and Geomatics
• Earth’s Structures and Planetary Processes
• Water and Climate
• CS: Geoscience
• [Geo-Education]

Master's thesis at the Department of Social Anthropology

Choosing a topic.

All applications should include a one-page project scetch : Suggestions for topics

• Science Shop
• Suggestions from the Department

Project proposal

• Guidelines for the project description
• Examples of project descriptions 

Supervision

• Guidelines for supervision
• Suggestions for initial supervision meeting
• Ethical guidelines at UiO
• Sikt notification form
• How to classify data and information
• Privacy Protection and Research Papers
• How to store yellow data on your private computer
• Safety abroad
• Practical information before Fieldwork
• Visa and residence permit (For Norwegian students)
• Guidelines field report
• Examples of Field reports

Scholarships

• Grants and scholarships - Funding opportunities for fieldwork

Writing your thesis

• Standard for master's thesis
• Word Styles and Templates
• Practical advice for academic writing
• Citations and use of sources
• The University of Oslo Library resources
• Submission and printing
• Postponed submission of the master's thesis
• Submitting your thesis in Studentweb/DUO
• Restricting access to master's theses in DUO
• After submission
• Postpone your diploma

Examination

• Grading guidelines
• Oral examination
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Regulations governing studies and examinations at the University of Oslo

Doctoral Theses in DUO

For information to be useful, it must be accessible - this is part of the Open Access mindset. Open Access means unrestricted online access to articles published in scholarly journals. Making your research available in the DUO Research Archive, also makes you and your research available to research scenes nationally and internationally.

All doctoral theses in DUO .

There are three ways you can publish your doctoral thesis in DUO:

• Register your thesis in CRIStin and upload the file. This is the most preferred way, as your thesis is accessible in CRIStin, as well as in DUO.
• If you do not have access to CRIStin you can contact us directly at [email protected]
• If you have your thesis printed at the Graphic center , you can also have an electronic file sent to DUO A brief summary/abstract can be included as a separate file.

Article-based theses

If your thesis is article-based, we may need to remove some articles, depending on the various publishers' self archiving policies. We check all articles and remove the ones we do not have permission to publish. Link are provided to all published articles.

Unpublished manuscripts are removed awaiting publishing.

If your thesis is a monograph, and you do not have content which has been published elsewhere previously, the whole thesis can be made accessible in DUO. If you plan to publish the thesis as a book through a publisher, it is advisable to talk to the publisher in advance. Some publishers are interested in having theses in DUO as good advertising, others do not want the text available online until after the book is released.

Summary/abstract

It is an advantage to register an abstract in DUO, together with the fulltext file. The abstract increases the visibility of your thesis, and helps readers assess if the thesis is relevant for them. There are no formal requirements for abstracts in DUO, but we recommend a maximum length of around 600 words. You can register your abstract in several languages.

Publishing in DUO

When you make your thesis available in DUO, it involves duties and responsibilities for both UiO and you as the author .

Any questions?

Send an email to: [email protected]

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Master thesis defense: Mason Barnes

Event date: monday, april 22, 2024.

Mason Barnes will be defending the Master thesis on Monday, April 22. The title is

“ Kashaev Conjecture Solved for the Five Punctured Spheres ”.

• Date: Monday, April 22
• Time: 10:00 am
• Location: Kerchof 111

Mason will demonstrate his solution to the Kashaev conjecture for type-preserving representations of the five punctured sphere in PSL(2,R).

Everyone is invited to attend.