Joint guidelines for the full-time master's thesis and part-time master’s project examination
- The full-time master's thesis and part-time master's project is concluded by an oral exam based on a written report. The written report, oral presentation and subsequent discussion are the basis of the evaluation. The evaluation is graded on the Danish 7-point-grading scale with the participation of an examiner and an external examiner.
- In accordance with the Examinations Order, the oral examination is public with the limitations set by the university or company/project manager due to reasons of confidentiality/secrecy.
- The oral examination on the full-time master's thesis should last a total of 1-1.5 hours. The student's/students' oral presentation of the report should take 20-30 minutes of the total time allotted.
The oral examination on the part-time master's project should last a total of 1 hour. The student's/students' oral presentation of the report should take 20-30 minutes of the total time allotted. The oral presentation is based on the written report, but may include material supplementary to the report. - The examination must be based on the written report and must allow the student/students the opportunity to elaborate on and elucidate aspects of the report.
- The presentation must be divided equally between the students that have participated in writing the master's thesis/project.
- Even if two students have worked together on the thesis/project, exams must be individual. If the students have written a joint report, each must be examined in the whole report and not only in the part each student has contributed.
- During the examination of the first examinee, the second examinee must not be present. During the examination of the second examinee, the first examinee may be present.
- If the study program is offered in Danish, the examination is usually conducted in Danish, but may be conducted in English, if the examinee, examiner and external examiner agree. If the study program is offered in English, the examination is usually conducted in English, but may be conducted in Danish, if the examinee, examiner and external examiner agree.
- The examiner and external examiner conduct the examination.
- The examiner and external examiner may allow the external supervisor to ask questions and offer comments of a clarifying nature.
- Grades are given after each individual examination.
- Only the examiner and external examiner may be present and participate in the grading process. However, the examiner may give permission for a prospective examiner to observe the grading process.
- In the grading process the examiner and external examiner must take notes on the examinee's performance and determination of the awarded grade to be used in a possible exam complaint case. The notes must be kept for at least one year and until a possible complaint case is concluded.
Translator's note:
- Full-time master's thesis = kandidatspeciale
- Part-time master's project = masterprojekt
- Examiner = eksaminator = specialevejleder = masterprojektvejleder
- External examiner = ekstern censor
Approved by:
BK Study Board, April 2001, revised December 2007 and october 2010)
MDM Study Board, January 2006
MIND Study Board, March 2006
