Grading
The master’s thesis is graded by an exam commission with one internal and one external grader.
ILOS has a general grade description that is the same for all subjects. If your subject has a specific grade description in addition to the general one, you will find that on the course page for your thesis course.
The grading deadline for the master’s thesis is eight weeks after submission.
If you have an oral exam, this must also take place within the eight week grading period. Other dates can be arranged if necessary.
Assessment guidelines
Below you will find the assessment guidelines for master’s theses at ILOS. These outline what the grading commission should look for when grading the theses.
Assessment guidelines 30 ECTS with an oral exam
Assessment guidelines 30 ECTS without an oral exam
Oral examination
Students writing a 60 credit thesis will have an oral exam.
For students writing a 30 credit thesis, the following applies:
The oral exam is obligatory for those who were admitted to the master’s program or started the MA specialisation for secondary teacher training in 2021 and later.
The oral exam is voluntary for those who were admitted to the master’s program or started the MA specialisation in 2020 or earlier.
How the oral exam is held
In spring 2024, the oral exam will preferably be held in calendar week 25, 26 or 27, but some may be held earlier or later.
You will be informed of your commission, as well as time and place for your oral exam in an e-mail.
No later than two working days before your oral exam, you will receive an e-mail telling you that your preliminary thesis grade is available in Studentweb. It’s then up to you if you want to know the grade before going into your oral exam.
The oral exam starts with the student giving a short presentation of the thesis (5–10 minutes). The student may bring notes, but is not meant to use PowerPoint etc. Then the examiners ask questions relating to the thesis, i.e., about structure, method or use of theory. The graders are only supposed to ask questions about the thesis, and not about other courses included in the grade. The oral exam lasts approximately 30 minutes in total.
After the exam, the student will leave the room, and the examiners discuss whether the final grade will be the same as the preliminary or adjusted. When the examiners have agreed, the student enters the room again and the examiners announce the final grade.
You will receive a written explanation of the grade via e-mail.
Master’s thesis without an oral exam
You will receive an e-mail when the grade is available in Studentweb.
You will receive a written explanation of the grade via e-mail.
Diploma
When you have completed the study program, your diploma is issued automatically. From 1 June 2022, you will receive a digital diploma. It may take up to 8 weeks after the final grade in your degree has been published, before you receive the diploma.