The master's thesis offers you the opportunity to demonstrate your academic knowledge and apply it to your specialized field. The thesis allows you to delve deeper into a topic of your choosing, develop specialized expertise and demonstrate the ability to independently manage a project. In this way, the master’s thesis contributes to the development of professional competency, supporting you in building expertise aligned with your desired career path. Skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration are essential skills for working life that can be honed through writing the thesis.

The following intended learning outcomes of the master's thesis reflect the skills and knowledge that students are expected to learn by completing their thesis. They are reflected on the thesis evaluation rubric and thesis evaluation thus measures how well the student has achieved these learning outcomes.

1. Demonstrating specialised knowledge and scientific thinking  

Students demonstrate the ability to apply advanced knowledge in their specialised field within business and economics. They integrate scientific and theoretical approaches to independently produce research, addressing sustainability and ethical considerations where applicable.

2. Critical thinking and problem-solving  

Students develop the capacity to critically evaluate complex research problems and apply prior scientific research to address research questions, while reflecting on practical, ethical and policy implications. 

3. Proficiency in research methods, analysis and academic standards  

Students are able to design and implement research using appropriate methods for data collection and analysis. They present findings clearly adhering to high academic standards and maintaining scientific integrity. 

4. Project management and collaborative skills  

Students exhibit the ability to plan, manage and execute the thesis process within defined timelines whilst integrating feedback. They collaborate effectively with supervisors, peers, potential co-authors and other stakeholders to achieve high-quality outcomes.  

The master’s thesis scope is defined by the programme, with two options available: 

• 20 ECTS thesis
• 30 ECTS thesis 

Note that this is not an option that you can choose freely, but the scope depends on your programme. Both options have similar requirements regarding the quality, but the 20 ECTS thesis is more focused while the 30 ECTS allows more time spent on the thesis. While the difference between the two scopes is not in the number of pages, the 20 ECTS theses tend to be shorter due to their more focused content.

The 20 ECTS thesis involves research carried out by the student within a more limited scope. The goal of the 20 ECTS thesis is to produce high quality research, with less time spent. The research is more focused, allowing the student to demonstrate their ability to deliver concise results, and develop expertise with a more streamlined approach. This can be achieved by:

• focused collection of empirical data
• using secondary data when applicable
• writing a more focused literature review.

The workload of a 20 ECTS thesis is around 500-600 hours, which translates to about 63-75 full-time workdays or three to four months of full-time study. Doing more work than what is required such as gathering excessive data or expanding the scope will not improve the grade. Instead, aim for a focused approach, strong analysis, and clear communication of results for a higher grade.

The 30 ECTS thesis allows the student to delve more deeply into a subject that interests them. This format offers the opportunity to conduct more comprehensive research, as the 30 ECTS thesis will equate to approximately 750-900 hours of work, which is equivalent to about 94-113 full-time workdays or 5-6 months of full-time study. The 30 ECTS thesis allows e.g.:

• writing an in-depth literature review
• collection of primary empirical data
• more complex analysis of the empirical data.

Each programme gives instructions on what is expected on the thesis in the 20 ECTS or 30 ECTS format. Note that the expectations may be programme specific in terms of length, amount of data, or type of analysis, as they reflect on programme specific learning objectives.
 

Regardless of the scope, a thesis can be written individually or in a pair.

The individual thesis offers you an opportunity to independently explore a research topic that aligns with your personal academic interests and the objectives of your study programme. The individual thesis provides a high degree of ownership, but since you are working alone, project management and sustaining motivation become more critical. 

To support your development as an independent researcher, the supervisor provides collaborative support throughout the thesis process. This authorship option fosters independent research skills, self-management and the opportunity to develop personalized expertise.  

The pair thesis involves two students who collaborate on a single shared thesis. The thesis must be a cohesive research project, with equal contributions from both students. The pair thesis promotes teamworking skills, collaborative problem-solving and balancing individual accountability with joint responsibility, which are valuable skills for working life. Moreover, the pair thesis offers the benefit of shared knowledge and encourages cooperative learning.

A pair thesis can be completed within the context of either the 30 or 20 ECTS thesis and typically within one programme. Students from different programmes can partner, but their disciplines should be closely related and complementary for the research. The students are responsible for choosing their pairs, as matching research interests and ambitions are crucial. 

Deciding on the right co-author is critical for the success of a pair thesis. You might want to consider factors such as trust, working styles and scheduling to ensure compatibility for long-term collaboration. You and your potential co-author must consider if you are able and willing to commit to working as a pair. Weekly or biweekly meetings are encouraged to be scheduled, to ensure progress. If disagreements arise, you should be proactive and discuss the issues openly as soon as possible.

If one student contributes significantly less, the supervisor should be informed early on, and an assessment of individual contributions may be required. Freeriding will not be accepted. For this reason, students are recommended to document their work and divisions of tasks as the thesis progresses. The thesis is evaluated as a single work, and the students usually receive the same grade. However, in special circumstances the grades can be different.
 

Beyond the decision to work individually or in a pair, and regardless of whether the thesis is 20 or 30 ECTS, you may choose to complete your thesis as a commissioned thesis. 

The commissioned thesis is carried out in collaboration with an external organization. In this format, you may conduct research that addresses a specific interest of the organization. Whilst addressing the organization, the thesis should meet academic standards and contribute to the field of your studies. This format allows you to apply academic theories to practice. By completing a commissioned thesis, you may establish useful connections with professional life and gain networking opportunities.

You can utilize job seeking portals or consider the contacts you already have, such as past or current employers. If you are reaching out to potential organizations, you should take time to carefully craft your pitch. Organizations are more likely to respond to a thoroughly thought-out proposal.

Your university supervisor must approve the topic, and this may involve discussions to ensure striking a balance between academic standards and practical anticipations of the commissioner. All theses must be made publicly available, and an external party cannot demand that the thesis itself remains confidential. The university or the supervisor are not parties in NDAs or other external confidentiality agreements. Any extra reports or confidential documentations that you provide to the commissioner are not taken into consideration for grading. 
 

Beyond the decision to work individually or in a pair, and regardless of whether the thesis is 20 or 30 ECTS, you can choose to write your thesis in the conventions of an academic manuscript, rather than the traditional monograph style. The article type thesis consists of one ready-to-submit article manuscript and is an excellent way to develop skills in scientific writing. The article type thesis is highly suitable for students who wish to prepare for doctoral studies, future research or professional work that involves publishing.

The conventions of the article type thesis will vary depending on the academic field. The article type thesis presents comprehensive research in a limited space, typically aiming at 10 000 – 15 000 words, which is the common length for a published journal article. Therefore, the format differs from the default thesis structure and should follow the practices and traditions in the academic discipline of the thesis. Publication of the thesis is not required for thesis acceptance, but students are encouraged to target journals within their field early on to align submission requirements. It should be noted that while an article type thesis is shorter than other thesis types, it usually requires more work.
 

The expected workload for a master's thesis is typically extensive, and careful time management and planning are essential for success and also part of the evaluation. A thesis is a long-term commitment, but by allocating sufficient time for each phase of the thesis, you will maintain steady progress. By defining steps, it is easier to stay on top of the project and keep it manageable. The project plan may include key steps such as:

• Planning phase
  • Explore the topic and related prior literature
  • Define the research question and research design
  • Create timeline and plan the activities
• Literature review
  • Familiarise yourself with the previous research relevant for the study
  • Write the literature review section of the thesis
  • Synthesize the literature in a research framework
• Data collection
  • Finalize the methodology and describe your approach
  • Collect and organize the empirical data
• Data analysis & interpretation
  • Analyse data
  • Interpret findings and write the analytical section
• Drawing conclusions
  • Distill the key findings and contributions of the study
  • Write the Discussion and Conclusions sections
• Review and finalization
  • Review and revise the complete thesis
  • Ensure all sections are complete and follow the academic standards

When creating a plan, it is advisable to consider the resources available – time, commitments and other responsibilities – and build a schedule that accommodates them. Note that thesis writing is usually an iterative process, and it is often necessary to return to previous sections. Make sure to reserve time for the interaction with the supervisor and allow time for their review of your work along the way. Remember to keep the plan documented, and up to date. The project plan can assist in tracking progress and maintaining momentum. Unexpected challenges can arise, be prepared and revise the plan as needed.

If writing a pair thesis or collaborating with external partners, you should determine the expectations and objectives of the commissioner or collaborator at the very start. Remember to clearly define timelines, roles and goals as it helps prevent misunderstandings. It is also important to agree beforehand on procedures and research tasks, as well as confidentiality, copyrights, schedules, and remuneration whenever applicable. 

It is important to reflect on the purpose of the thesis work for yourself individually. Is it a mandatory component required for graduation, or does it represent a valuable opportunity to delve into a topic that is genuinely interesting? Perhaps it fulfils both roles simultaneously. In either case, it is worthwhile to clarify motivations and intentions at the outset.

You should also consider your grade objectives. Whatever the goals may be, it is advisable to communicate them to the thesis supervisor and potential co-author. By doing so, the supervisor can better support meeting those aspirations. It is also worth noting that goals may shift over time as the research progresses. This is entirely acceptable. Reassessing and adjusting the objectives periodically, ensures you to remain focused on your final deliverable with the appropriate level of commitment.
 

Thesis work may be stressful as it is often the single largest undertaking you have experienced and is often carried out alone. To stay focused on your work, you need sufficient mental, physical, and social resources, which are used and replenished in various ways. Recovery needs and methods are individual and can vary over time. During leisure time, it is important to disconnect from studies and do meaningful activities to allow mental recovery. 

Tips for maintaining momentum in thesis work

• Working outside the home can improve productivity. Changing the study environment, such as working at a library or university space, helps create a clear distinction between work and leisure.
• Scheduling study sessions with a peer can enhance focus and accountability. Working alongside someone, even if they are researching a different topic, can foster a sense of shared purpose and provide social interaction during breaks.
• Applying structured time management techniques, such as the Pomodoro method, supports productivity. This technique consists of alternating short work sessions with regular breaks, helping to maintain concentration while allowing the brain to recharge.
• Breaking larger goals into smaller, concrete tasks makes starting easier. Tasks should be specific and actionable rather than vague. For example, instead of planning to "work on the thesis," a more structured approach could involve steps such as "finding five relevant articles" or "reading one article,". Completing smaller tasks provides a sense of accomplishment and reinforces progress.
• Tracking progress helps maintain motivation. Keeping a record of completed tasks at the end of each work session, such as a "done-list", highlights achievements and encourages continued effort. Often, progress is made in ways not initially planned, including reflecting on ideas and restructuring arguments, which also contribute to the thesis development.
• Seeking support early is essential in overcoming obstacles. If procrastination leads to avoidance and increased stress, reaching out to available support services, such as study psychologists, can help address challenges before they escalate.
   

Master's thesis supervision includes a collaborative process between the student and supervisor. Together they can ensure a thesis that meets academic standards and is completed successfully. Effective communication, planning and openness to feedback are key elements of a successful partnership. 

The process of obtaining a supervisor depends on the specific requirements and practices of your study programme. In many cases, the supervisors are assigned to students based on their research focus and the expertise of the supervisor. Therefore, it is important for you to identify your intended research area, as soon as possible.

Supervisors are expected to meet with their students approximately 4–6 times, and arranging more meetings depends on the supervisor. Meetings with the supervisor are generally booked in advance and supervisors have no obligation to be available for drop-in appointments. Supervision activities should be arranged during teaching and evaluation periods, unless otherwise agreed upon with the supervisor. During the first supervisory meeting, it is advisable to discuss the topic, scope and tentative plan for the thesis.

The table below outlines the primary responsibilities of both students and supervisors. Note that sometimes there may be a thesis advisor in addition to the supervisor who may carry out some of the supervision activities.

In case of any problems with supervision, you should contact the teacher responsible for your thesis seminar.

To start the thesis process in MyStudies, you must apply for supervisor approval in MyStudies. You can send the application only after you have your preliminary thesis topic and you have been assigned a thesis supervisor.

How to apply:

• Go to MyStudies (http://mystudies.aalto.fi/)
• Fill in the needed basic starting information in MyStudies Thesis –tab: thesis supervisor (+advisor if any), thesis topic and the language of your thesis.
• Finally, select "Submit for Supervisor Approval”.
• Your supervisor will automatically receive a notification of your application and will approve the thesis for supervision, please wait patiently for the approval.
• Your programme’s planning officer will check the right course code for the thesis and whether you need to demonstrate language proficiency in the maturity essay. These will be marked in MyStudies within few weeks. 

What if supervisor and/or topic change during the thesis work?

• Contact your programmes planning officer and they will help you.

The quality of the thesis depends not solely on the rigor of the research, but also on the coherence, quality and style of the writing. Language of the thesis must be appropriate to the topic and conceptual clarity is important in academic writing. Academic language has its own conventions, and you are encouraged to educate yourself on the language norms and terminology of your field of study.

A good rule to follow is to write as simple as possible, while maintaining academic tone. Spoken language and slang are not acceptable and business jargon should be avoided. In academic writing, it is essential to maintain consistency in language usage throughout the whole thesis. You should choose either British English (UK) or American English (US) and apply it consistently.

A few tips for good language:

• Keep sentences concise and to the point. Overly long sentences can make it difficult for the reader to follow the argument.
• Keep the vocabulary varied and avoid repeating the same word in a paragraph.
• Use a spell-checking tool to avoid spelling mistakes, even if it is just a draft.
• Read the writing aloud. This can help identify unclear sentences.

In thesis writing, the choice of verb tense depends on the context of in which information is presented. Different tenses serve different purposes, clarifying whether a statement refers to past research, present knowledge, or future intentions. The table below outlines the appropriate use of tenses in different academic contexts:

• Tense	Context	Example of the context
  Past tense	If you are reporting on your own or other's specific activities.	"It was found"
  Present tense	If you are making general statements that draw on previous research or indicate what is known at the time of writing.	"The research shows", "Bandura's (1977) study suggests that"
  Both past and present tense	In a specific context, but you want to convey what is known today.	"Bandura (1977) conducted an experiment, but his later work (Bandura, 1997) suggests that this is not the case"
  Future tense	Future tense is not often used. An exception is if you are outlining intended next steps.	"In this paper I will examine"

A thesis consists of several sections, the order of which depends on the chosen methodology, focus of the study, and field specific conventions. It is recommended for you to look up earlier completed theses within your field of study, to gain insights into effective structuring. The theses should be regarded as inspiration for structure, rather than rigid templates. Directly imitating structure, content or wording from another thesis can lead to error and potentially plagiarism. Aalto University has a Word template for Master’s thesis that should be used in the thesis. See also the instructions for using the template; they include guidelines for structuring the thesis as well as using references and citations. 

When writing the Master’s thesis, you need to take into consideration research ethics and integrity. Aalto University is committed to following the national guidelines for research ethics and integrity which applies also to Master’s theses. 

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity in Studies (chapter 4) defines what the good research practices are regarding research procedures, data practices and management, collaborative working, publication, and reviewing. The code also includes information on what is considered a violation of research integrity, such as plagiarism, fabrication, and falsification or misrepresentation (chapter 5.1.2). Any suspected violations of academic integrity are investigated and can lead to rejection of the thesis.

Further information on Research Ethics and Research Integrity at Aalto University

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly common, offering various tools that can assist work. However, the use of AI must strictly adhere to the ethical guidelines to ensure academic integrity, transparency and avoid running the risk of plagiarism. 

Students are responsible for the originality and accuracy of their own work, even when assisted by AI. See Aalto University's guidance on what is considered ethically appropriate usage of artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

Guidelines for students on processing personal data in theses

Guidelines on data management and security for thesis advisors​

• Submit your thesis as a single PDF/A file containing the cover page and thesis abstract.
• Use the thesis template for all Aalto University Schools. The first page of the submitted file should be the cover page, while the next should be the thesis abstract page.
• The cover page and the abstract are written in the same language as your thesis and depending on your language of education the abstract may need to be written in other language(s) as well.
• The abstract of your thesis acts as your maturity essay. Read more about the maturity essay and what languages it needs to be written in further down on this page under The maturity essay at the master's level.
• Save your file as an archival PDF/A file. Suitable formats: PDF/A-1a, -1b, -2a, -2b, -3a and -3b. Do not use any other file format.
  • Before submitting the file, check the final version according to the instructions and validate the file using Aalto’s validation tool.
  • Ensure that your submission is not larger than 100 megabytes.
• The thesis file format will be automatically checked during submission; the system only accepts thesis submissions that comply with the correct PDF/A standard.
• For support with PDF/A problems, visit one of Aalto’s IT Service Desks: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/it-service-desk-contact-information-and-service-hours.

Instructions for converting a file to PDF/A compliant version here

Please note that the supervisor must be approved in MyStudies before you can submit the thesis for evaluation. You can apply for supervisor approval in MyStudies (http://mystudies.aalto.fi/) >> Thesis-tab. 

Submitting the thesis

1. Submit the final version of your thesis for evaluation, grading, and archiving in MyStudies (http://mystudies.aalto.fi/) >> Thesis-tab
2. Check and complete all the thesis basic information and metadata, save the thesis as one PDF/A file, and append the file to your application.
3. A Turnitin similarity report will be generated based on the final thesis file you submit in MyStudies.
4. Track the progress of your master’s thesis evaluation and approval process in MyStudies. Once the thesis has been approved, you will also find its final grade and evaluation statement in MyStudies.

After submitting the thesis

• If the thesis and maturity essay are the last study attainments you need to complete to graduate, you can then request for graduation as a Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration). Read more on the page Graduation.
• Your supervisor will evaluate and grade the thesis.
• Once the grade has been approved, the final grade is marked on MyStudies and thesis is registered to Sisu. You can view the final grade in Sisu and MyStudies and download the evaluation statement from MyStudies. Additionally, you will receive an email to your aalto.fi email address containing the final grade, statement, and instructions on how to appeal the thesis grade decision (if needed). Your thesis will be archived in AaltoDoc.
• Follow your Aalto email as we will use it to contact you if we need additional information

1. If you notice an error before the thesis has been evaluated:
   • Suspend the thesis evaluation process by sending an email to the planning officer of your programme or to programmes-biz@aalto.fi.
2. If you wish to correct an error in your thesis after its evaluation, you can append an errata document to your thesis as instructed below.

The master's thesis is graded according to common criteria at the School of Business. Read the grading rubric when you are planning and writing your thesis. You can access the rubrics in the pages of the School of Business (login to view the files).

The thesis is not solely graded on the findings and content, but also on project management abilities, critical thinking and the positioning of the research within its field. By adhering to the evaluation criteria, you can ensure that they meet the expectations for the master´s thesis. 

The thesis is always evaluated and graded by the supervisor and a second examiner, who is knowledgeable with the field. They provide a single evaluation of the thesis based on the grading rubric.

Write your thesis abstract in the same language as the thesis and in translation as necessary (see below):

• If the language of your thesis is Finnish,
  • write its abstract in Finnish and English.
  • If your language of primary and secondary education is Swedish, write it also in Swedish.
• If the language of your thesis is English,
  • write its abstract in English and
  • in your language of primary and secondary education (if that language was Finnish or Swedish).

Note that the translations must be written regardless of whether you show language proficiency in your master’s degree.

Demonstrating language proficiency

Students who completed a bachelor’s degree in Finland

In principle, if you completed a bachelor’s degree at Aalto University or at another Finnish university or a Finnish university of applied sciences, you have already demonstrated your language proficiency in that degree or you received an exemption. Therefore, you do not need a demonstration of language proficiency in your master’s degree; instead, your master’s level maturity essay demonstrates your conversance with the subject area of your thesis. Approval of your thesis means approval of your maturity essay as well.

Students who completed a bachelor’s degree abroad

If you completed a bachelor’s degree abroad and your language of primary and secondary education is Finnish or Swedish, you must demonstrate your proficiency in your language of primary and secondary education by a master’s level maturity essay or by a translation of it. You don't need to submit a separate maturity essay: your thesis abstract (or a translation of it) will serve as the maturity essay. The language of the essay will be checked by a representative of the Language Center. The planning officer of your programme will take care of the practicalities so no special measures are required from you. 

If you completed a bachelor’s degree abroad and your language of primary and secondary education is not Finnish or Swedish, your maturity essay demonstrates your conversance with the subject area of your thesis. Approval of your thesis means approval of your maturity essay as well.