Theses at Wi1 (Bachelor and Master Theses)
Our offerings
The topics for the Bachelor and Master Theses are either based on our ongoing research projects or on the cooperation with our partners in academia and business practice. For master theses, we mainly focus on empirical topics and provide support to learn the needed skills if necessary. Bachelor thesis (and “Studienarbeiten”) can also be based on theoretical work. To get insights into the content and formal requirements please read our guide “How to write a thesis” carefully. Also, please check your particular “Studien- und Prüfungsordnung” for the formal framework of your thesis.
We provide support in the structuring and management of your research project, by fixing the exposé and structure of your work when starting to work on your thesis. The exposé will include your research questions (based on the state-of-art of the literature) and we will discuss with you the ways how you will collect your data or approach your theoretical work. As long as you are working on your thesis you are required to participate in our “master seminar” or “bachelor seminar” to present your findings. This will help you to get important input from us and your peers to further improve your work!
Important: Before applying, please make sure that you meet the requirements for writing an academic thesis at our chair. The applicable requirements are determined by the currently valid examination regulations (framework and subject-specific examination regulations) of your degree program. Students are solely responsible for ensuring that the thesis can be recognized and credited as part of their individual degree program.
Applying for a topic
The supervision process for Bachelor’s and Master’s theses at our chair follows a structured timeline at the beginning of each semester.
Please note: Applications for thesis supervision are only possible during the designated application period (Weeks 1–2). Once the application period has ended, applications cannot be submitted until the next semester. The exact dates for each semester will be announced on our website in due time.
For the upcoming winter semester 2026/27 the application will be possible from 1.10.26- 16.10.26
This is how the application process works at the WI1 Chair:
Step 1: Application
Weeks 1–2
Applications for thesis supervision are submitted centrally via StudOn at the beginning of the winter or summer semester. For the upcoming winter semester 2026/27 the application will be possible from 1.10.26- 16.10.26
Applications are submitted for specific thesis topics advertised by the chair. As part of the application, students are required to provide the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Transcript of Records
- Short statement of motivation, including a brief explanation of why the student is particularly interested in one or more of the advertised topics
In addition, applicants are asked to provide the following information during the application process:
- Which courses offered by our chair they have taken
- Their preferred thesis topic(s) from the topics advertised by the chair
- Whether they are applying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis
- Any other information requested in the StudOn application form
Step 2: Review and Selection
Week 3
During the third week of the semester, we review the applications and select students for thesis supervision based on the available supervision capacity and the submitted applications.
Step 3: Confirmation and Allocation
Week 4
Selected students receive confirmation of their supervision placement. At this stage, students are also allocated to their respective supervisors.
Step 4: Initial Contact with the Supervisor
Weeks 4-5
Following the allocation, the respective supervisor will contact the student to discuss the next steps and provide further guidance on developing the thesis topic and research idea.
Step 5: Final Research Proposal
Weeks 5-9
Students develop their final research proposal (Exposé) in close coordination with their supervisor. The process may include several rounds of feedback and revision before the proposal is finalized.
Important: Submission of the final research proposal is a mandatory requirement for maintaining the supervision placement. If the proposal is not submitted within the designated period, the supervision placement will be forfeited.
Step 6: Thesis Seminar
Weeks 6-10
At the beginning of their thesis, students are required to attend the Thesis Seminar. The seminar provides essential foundations and practical guidance for successfully planning, structuring, and writing an academic thesis.
Students therefore attend the seminar at the beginning of their thesis process, alongside the development of their research proposal.
Vorlagen/Templates (mit Formatleitfaden / with format guidelines)
Vorlage für Abschlussarbeiten (Deutsch)
Vorlage für Seminararbeiten (Deutsch)
Template for seminar papers (English)
A guide to academic research as a student: Student paper 101