18 ECTS credits
490 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4019041FNR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
1st and 2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Je hebt 'Bachelorproef Communicatiewetenschappen' of 'Onderzoekspaper Communicatiewetenschappen' (schakel- of voorbereidingsprogramma) gevolgd, alvorens 'Masterproef' op te nemen. De masterproef kan enkel in de afstudeerfase worden opgenomen.
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Communication Sciences
Educational team
Wendy Van Den Broeck
Promotor . (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
8 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
482 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

The Master Thesis Communication Studies is the work by which you complete the master’s programme.
With the Master Thesis the student demonstrates analytical and synthetic skills or an independent problem-solving capacity on an academic level.
The work reflects the general critical-reflective mindset or the research mentality of the student.
The Master Thesis treats a topic that is related to one of the subareas that are addressed within the master’s programme Communication Studies.

 

Additional info

The administrative and substantive procedures for the Master Thesis go digitally though the ‘Master Thesis Information System’ (MaThIS). The student takes the initiative in this.

The Master Thesis is written in the language of instruction of the programme. In Dutch programmes the Master Thesis can be written in English or French with the consent of the supervisor.

A manual with additional information (on deadlines, manner of submitting, evaluation,…) can be found on the course space in Canvas and is regarded as an integral part of the course description.

The faculty regulations concerning the Master Thesis are also included in the supplementary faculty regulations, chapter V, of the Teaching and Examination Regulations: https://student.vub.be/en/ES#regulations-and-forms

This course is a final paper completing a Master’s programme and cannot be taken as part of a credit contract.

Learning Outcomes

General Competences

This course contributes to the following general learning results of the master in communication sciences:

  • Students show in-depth knowledge, understanding and insight within the field of communication sciences and in relation to the latest evolutions and discussions at both the national and international level.
  • Students demonstrate the ability to critically contextualise and evaluate current national and international developments and discussions, and are able to independently deepen insights related to complex problems on the basis of an original framework of analysis, thereby expanding the theoretical basis related to their own fields of interest.
  • Students show an open and constructive attitude whilst having respect for other views and beliefs.
  • Students are open to scientific doubt and societal pluralism. They demonstrate courage, ambition and perseverance in questioning both established insights and alternative points of view.
  • Students act upon an open attitude in a culturally diverse international context. They critically reflect on their own (geographical, social, cultural, local, personal, …) position.
  • Students demonstrate the skill to discuss and debate current societal and scientific topics and theoretical developments within the field of communication studies. The students discuss issues on the basis of critical and substantiated reflections and research findings, open-mindedly and willing to acknowledge other arguments.
  • Students demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit, responsibility, communicative attitude, creativity and the ability to plan, coordinate, supervise and advise. The acquired skills enable the graduates to become independent, responsible, inquiring and reflective professionals.
  • Students are competent to translate acquired understandings and findings into concrete conclusions, scenarios, advice, policy recommendations and strategies, and are able to communicate and implement these in a professional manner.
  • Students are able to independently elaborate, organise, plan and conduct their own original research, interpret its results and groundedly, coherently and convincingly communicate it orally and in writing.
  • Students are competent to – partly independent, partly guided – train specific and topical research methods within a particular field of study and apply these methods independently in concrete research situations.

 

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Master Thesis determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Master Thesis category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Master Thesis with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The following applies to both examination sessions:

  • The student is obligated to upload his/her Master Thesis electronically on the antiplagiarism server indicated by the faculty and to provide the printed proof hereof when submitting the paper versions.The student who submits a Master Thesis agrees with the rules regarding plagiarism: https://student.vub.be/en/ES#regulations-and-forms (scroll down).
  • The evaluation of the Master Thesis is done in accordance with the evaluation form that can be found on the digital learning platform Canvas.
  • It is not mandatory to defend the Master Thesis in Communication Studies orally.

The student who would like to request an oral defense must notify the department secretariat on this at the latest three days after the publication of the result in Mathis.

On the basis of a reasoned report, a public defence may be imposed on the student.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Communication Studies: Media and Innovation (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Communication Studies: Media and Culture (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Communication Studies: Media, Journalism and Politics (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Communication Studies: Media, Strategy and Marketing (only offered in Dutch)