SFE42315 Master's Thesis (Spring 2025–Spring 2026)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Mandatory course in the Master's programme in Foreign Languages in School - English.

Absolute requirements

Passed the course Method and Project (20 credits).

Recommended requirements

The course is based on knowledge from courses taken prior in the programme, according to the study plan. 

Lecture Semester

6. - 8. semester (spring - autumn - spring).

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge

The candidate

• has specialized knowledge in a self-selected topic within one or more of the subject areas of English language, literature, culture, and didactics.
• can convey their knowledge in the target language, both in writing and orally, expressing themselves clearly and concisely within the self-selected thematic framework.
• can search for information sources in various databases, and evaluate and quality assure information.

 

Skills

The candidate

• can use the target language at an advanced level.
• can adhere to genre conventions for master's theses.
• can perform advanced systematic searches for academic and relevant information, applying various criteria for quality assurance of information.
• can reference sources and compile a bibliography clearly, consistently, and in a way that allows the reader to trace back to the sources.
• can handle information and sources ethically.
• can plan and execute a research project and present it in clear and precise language.

 

General Competence

The candidate

• can convey the importance of foreign language competence in a modern globalized society, considering culture, democracy, and mobility.
• can provide overviews of various information resources within their field of study and critically evaluate information and information sources.
• can apply guidelines for referencing technique.
• can carry out independent research and development projects.

Content

The master's thesis consists of a larger individual written work that is completed under guidance.

Forms of teaching and learning

Students are encouraged to choose a topic and research question for their assignment early in their academic program. This allows them to leverage previous project work, thematic lectures, portfolio submissions, and similar activities as groundwork for the assignment. Each student is assigned a supervisor affiliated with the chosen area for their assignment. Guidance is offered through online meetings and in writing on the university college's learning platform. During a digital assembly, students present their work and receive feedback from both peers, supervisors, and other instructors.

Workload

Approximately. 840 hours.

Examination

Individual written master's thesis with an oral examination.

Approximately 50 pages excluding the reference list and appendices. Line spacing 1.5.

The thesis will be evaluated by an examination committee consisting of the supervisor(s) and an external examiner. The master's thesis must be approved before the candidate can proceed to the oral examination.

A 45-minute oral examination will be conducted, during which the student will present and reflect on their work.

The oral examination may adjust the written grade up or down by one level on the A-F grading scale.

Plagiarism Check

Master's theses are subject to plagiarism checks. Plagiarism, including copying from academic literature and other written works, whether one's own or others', without proper use of references/sources, will be considered an attempt as an examination offence

Examiners

External and internal examiner.

Conditions for resit/rescheduled exams

Reexamination/deferred examination is regulated by the regulations on exams, the right to study, and degrees at Østfold University College. In the case of a non-passing grade, the candidate may submit a revised thesis once. If there is a desire to improve the grade, the candidate must submit a new thesis with a new research question. When submitting a new thesis, the candidate is not entitled to new guidance.

Course evaluation

Feedback from our students is essential for us to be able to offer the best possible courses and study programmes. This course is evaluated every semester through ongoing and final evaluations.

The results are processed by the Head of studies in dialog with student representatives and subject teachers. The programme committee follows up on student evaluations at the department.

Literature

Self-selected curriculum approved by the academic supervisor.