Guidelines for Master’s Thesis

1 Thesis Structure

Title page

Thesis Assignment

Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction

1 Analytical Literature Review

2 … (your title)

2.1… (your title)

2.2… (your title)

3 … (your title)

3.1… (your title)

3.2… (your title)

Conclusion

References

Appendix (optional)

The Title page and the Thesis Assignment are prepared separately at the end of the academic year. The main document file starts from Abstract. Such headings as Abstract, Table of Contents, Introduction, Conclusion, and References are not numbered and are center-aligned, like this:

Introduction

Headings of other parts start from numbers and should be left-aligned, with 1,25 cm indentation:

1 Analytical Literature Review

Sub-parts have two-digit numbers: the first digit is the number of the part and the second digit is unique for each sub-part. There is a dot between digits and no dot between a number and a heading:

2.1 Internalization of Education as a Global Trend

Appendices are differentiated by letters: you may have Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, etc, each with its own title (center-aligned), e.g.:

Appendix a Public Opinion Survey

The length of the thesis from the title page to the end of the reference list is 70-80 pages (+ appendix/ appendices, if necessary).

2 Content

You will discuss the content of your thesis with your research adviser and keep thinking about it throughout the academic year. Here are a few guidelines to follow.

Abstract

The length of the abstract should not exceed 2,000 symbols (about 350-400 words). Give an outline of your thesis, formulate the research question and your aims, describe research methods and results, explain your contribution and possible practical application of your research.

The last paragraph of the abstract should be uniform in all theses:

“The thesis consists of ______ pages, includes _______ figures, ______ tables, a list of _______ references, and ________ appendices.

Introduction

Briefly characterize the problem you are solving and justify the relevance of research. Formulate the research question and your hypothesis, aims and objectives of your research, list key researchers in your field, describe materials and methods, explain your contribution to theory and practice, outline the structure of your thesis. The Introduction is about 5-7 pages long.

1 Analytical Literature Review

Analytical Literature Review is a compulsory part of your thesis. Review and discuss publications in relevant fields. This part gives you a chance to extend the scope of your research and refer to publications in related areas. Altogether, you are expected to use 40-50 references in your thesis, including encyclopedias, online sources, various documents, and other materials. You may refer to them in any part of your thesis (probably with the exception of the abstract and the conclusion), but in the Analytical Literature Review references are most concentrated. It should be a coherent text organized chronologically or thematically. The recommended length of this part is 10 pages.