Courses start in the first week of the winter semester of each academic year. There are three compulsory courses in the winter and two in the spring semester, each of which is awarded 10 ECTS credits.

In the course of the spring semester, students select a topic and start conducting research for their Master’s thesis. In June, they present a paper on the methodology and research questions at a special academic workshop, which is awarded 10 ECTS credits.

The summer period is devoted to research and the writing of the Master’s thesis, which must be delivered by September 30. The thesis should be 10,000-15,000 words long and is awarded 15 ECTS credits.

Attendance of the five courses (three in the winter and two in the spring semester) and the presentation of a paper at the workshop in June is compulsory. If a student fails a course, he or she may retake the course once in the next examination period, i.e. in June for the winter semester and in September for the spring semester. Clarification on the obligations and assessment of students is given in the information for each course offered.

Until March 15 students must have selected a topic for their Master’s thesis and have found a supervisor. The final title of the thesis must be submitted to the MA Secretariat between 1 and 15 May.

At the end of the summer period, which coincides with the end of the September examination period, and after obtaining the agreement of the supervisor, students submit an electronic copy of the Master’s thesis to the MA Secretariat. The thesis is publicly defended and graded by the three members of the Examination Committee in October or  November. If the thesis is not awarded a passing grade, the student has the right to resubmit it during the examination period of the winter semester. In that case, the thesis is publicly defended and graded in February or March. If the thesis is not awarded a passing grade in the second attempt, the student cannot obtain the Master’s degree.