IDR950 Master`s Degree Thesis (Autumn 2025–Spring 2026)

A thesis is an independent, extensive work that is done under the guidance of an assigned supervisor and written individually or in teams of two students. Students are responsible for selecting a topic/problem area, which is suitable for a thesis related to the MSc programme in Sport Management. The Master’s Degree Thesis in Sport Management is written in English.

During master thesis preparatory workshops, the students will be introduced to the master thesis process and the formal requirements connected to the thesis.

After completing the thesis the student will be able to:

Knowledge:

• critically and systematically integrate knowledge from courses in the Sport Management programme
• analysing, assessing and dealing with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information

Skills:

• identify and formulate issues independently and creatively
• plan and use appropriate research methods within a predetermined time frame. This includes assessments with regard to scientific and ethical aspects, and awareness of the ethical aspects of research work, including the limitations of research, its role in industry/society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used.

General competencies:

• proficiency in academic writing and in communicating the research results.

A thesis is an independent, extensive work that is done under the guidance of a tutor. Not more than two students can work on the same thesis. Supervision will be provided during the period of the course, but can not be guaranteed in the case of theses postponement.

Students are expected to participate in master thesis proposal workshops which prepares and informs students about designing their thesis project.

• Mandatory coursework: Other - please specify in the comments
• Courseworks given: 1
• Courseworks required: 1
• Presence: Required
• Comment: Master Thesis project proposal.

The proposal must contain:

1. Title of the thesis project and name of student(s).
2. An introduction to the research problemI.Legitimate your research problem to the ‘real world’ or to a gap in scientific research.
   • Define the goal of the research in terms of a clear statement of the problem.
   • Develop a first draft of the main research question.
3. Background (describe your case and/or important factors to understand the context).
4. Initial literature review (main authors, theories and methods applied, sample characteristics, limitations, key results) followed by the development of a basic research framework.
5. Methodology
   • What kind of research methodology do you plan to use for your study.
   • What will be your data collection strategy?
6. Develop a time-line for your thesis project.

• Recommended: 1500-2000 words (ca. 3-5 pages, including references and time-line).

• Form of assessment: Written master's thesis with oral defence
• Proportion: 100%
• Duration: -
• Grouping: -
• Grading scale: Letter (A - F)
• Support material: -

The final grade is a combination of grades received on the thesis and the oral presentation. The final grade is mainly based on the written assignment, but performance on the oral exam might adjust the final grade slightly. There is no fixed percentage distribution between the assignment and the oral exam. Only one final grade will be presented to the student.