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Faculty of Economics and

Business

Master's Thesis Regulations FEB Campus Brussels

2019-2020

Issue date Written by 10/12/2019 Carla Morlion (Education Policy Unit) for FEB Campus Brussels

These regulations and the accompanying appendices can be found online on FEB Student Platform and are also available in Dutch.

Table of contents

1 THE MASTER'S THESIS COURSE ....................................................................... 3

1.1 CONCEPT OF THE MASTER'S THESIS ...................................................................... 3 1.2 INFORMATION AND REGULATIONS ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS ...................................... 3

1.2.1 ECTS course description and associated Master's thesis Regulations .............. 3 1.2.2 KU Loket - Student Platform - Toledo ......................................................... 4 1.2.3 Questions & contact info ........................................................................... 5

1.3 DATES & DEADLINES (TIME SCHEDULE) MASTER'S THESIS ............................................ 5 1.4 STUDENT ACCIDENTS - TRAVELLING (ABROAD) ......................................................... 5 1.5 MASTER'S THESIS DATABASE - LINK 'MY MASTER'S THESIS' .......................................... 6 1.6 MASTER'S THESIS FILE ..................................................................................... 6 1.7 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MASTER'S THESIS........................................................ 6 1.8 DEVIATIONS FROM THE REGULATIONS .................................................................... 7 1.9 DISCIPLINARY ACTION - PLAGIARISM - FRAUD ........................................................... 7 1.10 COPYRIGHT .................................................................................................. 8

2 TYPES OF MASTER'S THESES ........................................................................... 8

2.1 COLLABORATION WITH THE PROFESSIONAL FIELD ....................................................... 8 2.2 COMPANY PROJECT / FISCALE KLINIEK PROJECT ........................................................ 8 2.3 PROJECT ADMINISTRATION ................................................................................ 9

3 CHOICE/START-UP - CONTINUATION OF THE MASTER'S THESIS .................. 10

3.1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES .................................................................................... 10 3.2 SUBJECT ................................................................................................... 10 3.3 START-UP USING THE MASTER'S THESIS OFFER ....................................................... 11 3.4 START-UP VIA OWN PROPOSAL STUDENT ............................................................... 11 3.5 START-UP OF FISCALE KLINIEK PROJECT .............................................................. 12 3.6 RE-ENROLMENT FOR THE MASTER'S THESIS COURSE - CONTINUATION OR RESTART? ............. 12

4 PRACTICAL DEVELOPMENT OF A MASTER'S THESIS ...................................... 13

4.1 TEAMWORK ................................................................................................ 13 4.2 LANGUAGE ................................................................................................. 13 4.3 OUTPUT-FORMATS – FORM REQUIREMENTS ............................................................ 14

4.3.1 Scientific article (paper) ......................................................................... 14 4.3.2 Report.................................................................................................. 14

4.4 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL INDEX AND REFERENCE SYSTEM .................................................... 14 4.5 CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE MASTER'S THESIS .......................................................... 15 4.6 WORKING WITH SENSITIVE (PERSONAL) DATA IN THE CONTEXT OF THE MASTER'S THESIS ....... 16 4.7 CONDUCTING SURVEYS AMONG FELLOW STUDENTS OR STAFF ........................................ 16

5 ACADEMIC SUPPORT - FIRST PAPER ............................................................. 16

5.1 FIRST PAPER OF THE MASTER'S THESIS (NOT APPLICABLE FOR MIBEB/MIBEM) ................. 16 5.2 SCIENTIFIC POSTER (MPM EXCLUSIVELY) ............................................................. 18

6 MASTER'S THESIS GUIDANCE ........................................................................ 18

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6.1 SUPERVISOR .............................................................................................. 18 6.2 INTERNAL CO-SUPERVISOR .............................................................................. 19 6.3 WORKLEADER/DAILY SUPERVISOR ...................................................................... 19 6.4 EXTERNAL CO-SUPERVISOR .............................................................................. 19 6.5 COOPERATION BETWEEN STUDENT/SUPERVISORS - SURVEY MASTER'S THESIS (SUPERVISION) . 20

7 (REGISTRATION OF) MASTER'S THESIS CHANGES ........................................ 20

7.1 SMALL CHANGES .......................................................................................... 20 7.2 STRUCTURAL CHANGES ................................................................................... 21

8 DISCONTINUE THE MASTER'S THESIS / THE PROJECT .................................. 21

9 EVALUATION ................................................................................................. 22

9.1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES .................................................................................... 22 9.2 JURY ....................................................................................................... 23 9.3 CONTRIBUTION OF THE PROJECT COMPANY AT THE DEFENCE ......................................... 23 9.4 PUBLIC ..................................................................................................... 24 9.5 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ORAL DEFENCE .................................................................. 24 9.6 OVERVIEW OF EVALUATION CRITERIA ................................................................... 25

9.6.1 Evaluation criteria for the "first Master's thesis Paper" ................................ 25 9.6.2 Evaluation criteria for the written work of the Master's thesis ...................... 26 9.6.3 Process/attitude evaluation criterion during the development of the Master's thesis 27 9.6.4 Evaluation criterion for the oral defence ................................................... 27 9.6.5 Scientific poster (only applicable to the MPM programme) .......................... 27

9.7 DETERMINING THE FINAL MARK (RESULT) OF THE MASTER'S THESIS ............................... 27 9.8 NO CONSENSUS IN THE JURY ............................................................................ 28 9.9 ATTENDANCES & ABSENCES OF JURY MEMBERS ........................................................ 29

9.9.1 Attendance requirement ......................................................................... 29 9.9.2 Non-attendance procedure ..................................................................... 29

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1 The Master's thesis Course

1.1 Concept of the Master's thesis

The Master's thesis is a mandatory part in each Master's programme. It is imposed by Flemish law and, depending on the course(s), is worth at least 15 credits. This Master's thesis is a scientifically underpinned research project that is carried out

independently by the student and of which its development is supervised by a supervisor. This research assignment is part of the student's degree programme, ties in with the research done by the supervisor or with his specialisation and - in consultation with the supervisor - may be elaborated in collaboration professional field.

In concrete terms, the student goes through the following steps:

- The student should choose a Master's thesis subject, type and supervisor within the deadlines set for this purpose;

- The student carries out his research project under the supervision and according to the instructions of his supervisor(s);

- The student reports on his research through a "first paper"1 and subsequently through a written work (the Master's thesis). This final version of the Master's thesis has been drawn up in a specific output format

and must comply a number of academic criteria and requirements; - The student shall submit the Master's thesis no later than on the date fixed in

advance; - The student defends this work orally afterwards before a jury2; - The jury determines the final result.3

1.2 Information and regulations about the Master's thesis

The Master's thesis is a course with an exam and therefore falls under the provisions of the applicable KU Leuven Education and Examination Regulations. Since the Master's thesis is an extensive and complex course, additional regulations and information are also available. The details are explained below.

1.2.1 ECTS course description and associated Master's thesis Regulations

The student consults the 'ECTS course description’ for the general principles such as number of credits, objectives, entry prerequisites, content, format and evaluation

modalities. ECTS course descriptions are available online in the KU Leuven Programme Guide and/or via the specific Toledo course of the thesis.

The 'Master's thesis Regulations – FEB Brussels' supplements this ECTS course description and contains global aspects, instructions and regulations, such as:

- possible types of master's theses and the differences between them; - information concerning the subject, supervision, modification of the Master's thesis,

confidentiality, language, output format; - all aspects related to the evaluation (criteria) and defence procedure of the Master's

thesis;

- the regulations are supplemented by a concrete "time schedule" with dates and deadlines relating to the Master's thesis (= online agenda);

- the regulations are also supplemented by specific annexes containing benchmark tables with evaluation criteria.

1Exception: MiBEB and MIBEM 2Exception: MiBEB/MIBEM Master's thesis: Literature Review (6 credits – one semester course) 3Idem footnote 2. For these course, the mark is determined by the supervisor

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These regulations apply to each Master's thesis course and to all Master's programmes that are organised at FEB Campus Brussels.4 The regulations contain, where necessary, special regulations applicable to certain programmes or specific types of Master's thesis.

All parties (student, supervisor, jury members …) must strictly conform to the present regulations, including its dates and deadlines.

1.2.2 KU Loket - Student Platform - Toledo

KU Loket: My Master's thesis (student)

At the time of drafting these regulations, KU Loket is exclusively used by students to upload the digital final version of their Master's thesis, including its accompanying documents.

FEB Student Platform: Papers, projects & theses landing page This section of the Student Platform is an important information channel and contains many

online instructions and documents. It will be updated in the intervening period, as appropriate. Of course, always choose the information intended for Campus Brussels and your programme. The platform contains, among other things:

- text of the Master Thesis Regulations with the accompanying appendices; - information about the selection and start of the Master's thesis; - formal requirements, templates and instructions for layout (for the cover and content

of the Master's thesis);

- a practical explanation of how to submit the final version of the Master's thesis; - only for students who have registered an MT with a supervisor: their personal

'Registration: My Master's thesis' link with their individual registration of their Master's thesis (more information in par. 1.5).

Toledo Every student who includes the Master's thesis course into his ISP has a specific Toledo course for this course unit: announcements are occasionally posted on Toledo as well as information that is only important for students enrolled in this course. Master's students of Handelswetenschappen, MBA, HIR, Business Engineering and MPM are

also automatically enrolled in a joint bilingual Toledo B-course 'Masterproef - Master's thesis FEB Brussels', from this point referred to as the Toledo B-course. This Toledo B-course is used:

- for announcements, applicable to all students/Master's programmes in these

programmes; - for supporting information related to academic writing, referencing, etc. This

information is a blended-learning offer and is grouped in a folder per programme; - for uploading (by the student) and the evaluation/feedback (by the supervisor) of

the "first paper" required in these programmes in the context of the Master's thesis evaluation (formal interim evaluation moment). This first paper is submitted via the “Grade Center” in the Toledo B-course. Instructions for this are available in the Toledo B-course5.

New, interim information is communicated by your student email and possibly also through digital communications on Toledo. It is important to consult these information channels on a regular base.

4 The Master's programmes at FEB Campus Brussels are: Master in de Handelswetenschappen (HW),

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master Handelsingenieur (HIR) and Master of Business Engineering (BE), Master in het Milieu- en Preventiemanagement (MPM), Master in de Bedrijfseconomie en het Bedrijfsbeleid (MiBEB), Master of International Business Economics and Management (MIBEM) Attention: In some programmes an expiring and a new course are in parallel. Some programmes include a Double Degree Programme with another educational institution. 5 For more information about the first paper, see par. 5. This first paper does not apply to students in the MIBEM or MiBEB study programmes.

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1.2.3 Questions & contact info

If you have any questions that are not covered by these regulations or on the Student

Platform you can contact:

For Company projects - Fiscale Kliniek Projects:

- selection of Fiscale Kliniek Students

- intake proposals for tax case - agreements & project administration - contacts with companies/tax offices

Margot Vanden Eynden FEB Corporate Relations Department

Project Works Coordinator Tel 02 300 22 82 margot.vandeneynden @kuleuven.be Room: B05-21

FEB Campus Brussels Master's Thesis Coordinator:

- Master's theses Regulations - Offer of topics (from supervisors) information

about Research Groups/supervisors - screening cases/collaboration with companies - specific Master's thesis files of students - registrations in MT database - organisation defences, juries

Kirsten Tielemans & Carla Morlion Tel 02 609 18 05

masterthesis_FEB.Brussel @kuleuven.be Room: A06-10

1.3 Dates & deadlines (time schedule) Master's thesis

At the start of the academic year, a number of important dates and binding deadlines are set with regard to the Master's thesis course. An overview of all these dates and deadlines is available online on the FEB Student Platform.

The student is asked to take note of this and to respect the dates and deadlines! Specifically with regard to defending the Master's thesis: if the student does not respect the deadline for submission of the final version of the Master's thesis, he cannot participate in the final examination/defence. The final assessment for the Master's thesis course will be

'NA' (not attended).

1.4 Student accidents - Travelling (abroad)

Students registered at the KU Leuven are insured for physical accidents (own physical damage) during educational activities or during travel on the way there and within the terms and conditions of the insurance policies taken out by KU Leuven.

If a student has an accident within the framework of the master's thesis, e.g. during a trip in Belgium or in the project company, this must be reported immediately to the KU Leuven Insurance Service. The declaration form and more information about the procedure are available online. Please, note that the burden of proof is always on the student! In the event of an

accident, the student will have to prove to the Insurance Department that the accident occurred during a trip in the context of the Master's thesis (or that the accident occurred during the work placement or on the way to or from the work placement location)6. Agreements about where and when to be present in the context of the Master's thesis should

6 Although the content of a Company Project or Fiscale Kliniek Project does not correspond to a work placement, this activity is considered to be a work placement under the insurance policy.

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therefore always be made in advance and in writing, e.g. by email. Keep the arrangements in a safe place.

Within the Master's thesis course unit, a transfer abroad is usually not the case. Students who do travel abroad in the context of their Master's thesis must report this in writing at least 2 weeks in advance to carla.morlion@kuleuven.be (Education Policy Unit). This person will then inform you of all the formalities to be completed. Some destinations can be refused by KU Leuven. If the planned route or dates change afterwards or during the trip, this must be reported again. If the student failed to make the necessary arrangements with these

notification(s) in advance, the KU Leuven Insurance Policy cannot be invoked in the event of a problem or accident abroad.

1.5 Master's thesis database - Link 'My Master's thesis'

Each Master's thesis is registered in a local MT database: student with title, supervisor(s), type of Master's thesis, confidentiality, output format, etc. are registered.

Students may not edit the registration themselves, but may review it clicking on the "Registration: my Master's thesis" link. Inaccuracies can be reported to the Master's thesis Coordinator7. Changes can only be communicated with the approval of the supervisor (see par. 7). If the student submits his Master's thesis for defence, he can check the details of the defence

(day, time, room, jury composition) using this "Registration: my Master's thesis" link.

1.6 Master's thesis file

In addition to the MT database, there is a "paper" file with (if applicable):

- forms submitted by the student;

- documents relating to agreements and/or project administration; - (email) correspondence about specific questions, deviations, irregularities; - defence file with all documents relating to the evaluation(s) of the Master's thesis.

1.7 Complaints regarding the Master's thesis

Students may raise complaints and/or (minor) issues with the Master's thesis coordinator.

She acts in an advising/mediating capacity. Serious complaints about the supervision the Master's thesis are only dealt with by the

Ombuds service. If the student disputes the result obtained for the Master's thesis course, then the Education & Examination Regulations apply (info at the Ombuds Service). Processing of students complaints will be based on the registration in the MT database,

supplemented by the Master's thesis file (if applicable). Email correspondence with the supervisor(s) and/or other supporting documents will be accepted as a supplement to the Master's thesis file.

It is recommended for students to perform their administrative duties and/or meet the

deadlines so as to avoid any disciplinary action (see par. 1.9) as well as keep a copy of all important forms, documents and emails relating to the development and assessment of their Master's thesis.

7 If message: "No information found", the start-up has not (yet) been registered, or an error occurred! The student then contacts the Master's thesis Coordinator.

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1.8 Deviations from the regulations

The Master's thesis coordinator may grant deviations (exceptions) within certain margins,

but only if: - the request is justifiable both within the ISP and the student's Master's thesis file; - the practical organisation is not compromised; - the student contacts the Master's Thesis Coordinator in advance and supports her

request for an exception with documentary evidence, unless force majeure can be proven.

In situations of force majeure8, a deviation may be granted in consultation with the Ombuds Service. The student must submit a certificate of proof.

1.9 Disciplinary action - plagiarism - fraud

The student risks a sanction (i.e. the 'not taken' mark) in the following situations:

- Failure to register the Master's thesis start-up in a timely manner. This is no later than the 3th Wednesday of the academic year in October (if the Master's thesis is a year-long course), or on the 3th Wednesday of the semester (if a semester course);

- Only in the case of an Company Project/Fiscale Kliniek Project: o Failure to comply with the project administration on time (par. 1.3 & 2.3). o If the student repeatedly or seriously fails to comply with the obligations

described in the agreement with the project company, the project is

terminated and the “not attented” mark is awarded for that course. If this sanction is applied, the student is not entitled to an alternative assignment or a second examination opportunity.

In addition, the student may be refused to defend his Master's thesis in a certain examination period, with a “not attented” mark as a result, if he:

- is manifestly not in line with the provisions of the Education and Examination Regulations and/or of the ECTS course description.

- does not respect the specified submission deadline. In that case, the student cannot participate in the defence, unless a deviation has been granted for a serious reason (force majeure), see par. 1.8.

- fails to comply with agreements specifically made with him concerning a new deadline or an amended arrangement.

- presents himself at the defence in a different situation than that recorded in the Master's thesis file/MT-database, e.g. if he collaborated with a different supervisor or company or if he developed a different topic.

The FEB plagiarism policy (including plagiarism prevention, detection and sanctioning) is

explained in detail on the FEB Student Platform. The Faculty of Economics and Business focuses on prevention of plagiarism and offers the student the opportunity to learn how to refer correctly to sources via the Tutorial Information Skills on Toledo, as well as the form requirements and templates on the student portal. The faculty also provides a test that must be taken via Toledo in order to receive a certificate. The student will upload the certificate obtained through this test when submitting

the final version of his master's thesis in KU Loket (to be uploaded as Master's thesis: Other files). If there is suspicion or a finding of plagiarism and/or fraud with regard to the Master's thesis, the file is submitted to the Special Examination Board. After completion of the procedure laid down for this purpose, the latter can determine a sanction, in line with the specific

provisions regarding plagiarism and fraud in the KU Leuven Education & Examination

Regulations.

8 The Ombuds service uses specific criteria for force majeure.

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1.10 Copyright

KU Leuven's mission is to stimulate the transfer of knowledge and, as part of this, to optimise

access to dissertations. More information is available in the KU Leuven Student Thesis Copyright Regulations , which regulates KU Leuven's use of dissertations and in which some aspects of the student's copyright are explained in detail.

2 Types of Master's theses

Every student conducts research in the context of his Master's thesis 'at the instruction of the supervisor'. This means: the student always conducts research that is close to the current

academic research of the supervisor, and/or that is related to themes or research areas in

which this supervisor specialises.

2.1 Collaboration with the professional field

Whether cooperation with the professional field is desirable and possible in the context of a Master's thesis shall be discussed between the supervisor and the student.

As such, it is possible for specific research questions and Master's theses that concrete situations from the professional field are addressed as (a) case(s) or an illustration. Some Master's theses require (frequent or occasional) contact with companies or organisations in the professional field e.g. if the student collects data in one or more companies, conducts surveys, makes observations, etc. The supervisor always takes the final decision about the

possible cooperation with the professional field, and directs this in terms of content.

When collaborating with the professional field, the companies or organisations contacted often want guarantees regarding the confidentiality of the data provided. In certain cases it is possible or advisable to conclude a confidentiality agreement (non-disclosure agreement), always in accordance with the KU Leuven template. For further information, students and supervisors should contact the Master's thesis

coordinator.

2.2 Company Project / Fiscale Kliniek Project

It is also possible that the student collaborates very closely and on a structural basis with

a company or (non-profit) organisation. The content of such research is also directed by the

supervisor, but there is also a very clear focus on solving a specific business or organisational problem. In that case, we speak of a: Company project (CP): the student analyses a (business) problem in consultation with

the supervisor and provides possible analyses and/or solutions in an academically based

way, which can possibly be implemented in the operation of the company afterwards (i.e. it is never a purely executive work placement). 9

Fiscale Kliniek Project (FK): Fiscale Kliniek stands for a practice-oriented literature review on a real tax problem (tax case) in close cooperation with a Belgian tax or accounting firm.

A work placement of 2 weeks in the relevant office is part of this type of Master's thesis.

The time of the internship is determined in consultation with the office (although we prefer you choose the mid-term break beginning of February). A Fiscale Kliniek project is developed exclusively in Dutch, according to a specific output format (par. 4.3) and by means of the project's own legal reference techniques (par. 4.4).

9 This type of Master's thesis is not open to the Master in Milieu- & Preventiemanagement (MPM).

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This type of Master's thesis is compulsory for Handelswetenschappen - Fiscaliteit students and is not open to other students of other graduation subjects or degree programmes.

The following applies specifically to both Company and Fiscale Kliniek Projects: - the start-up of such a project is subject to a specific procedure. A project

agreement is always drawn up and is signed by the 3 parties (student, project company, educational institution); there is also some mandatory - but limited - project administration for the student (see par. 2.3);

- it is allowed to collaborate with a Belgian company, or with a company established

in Belgium (not with a company that is only located abroad); - in addition to the supervisor, a project supervisor from the project company is

appointed (external co-supervisor – see par. 6.4) to guarantee the student access to content;

- the company gives the student specific access to data, company data and/or other

facilities; - students cannot simply change the design of the project assignment nor can they

break the project agreement (see par. 7.2-8); - the content of such a Master's thesis is always confidential (see the project

agreement and also par. 4.5): - the student working on a project is expected to be present more than once in the

project company and to maintain close contact with it; - the institution invites the project company to attend the oral defence (par. 9.3).

2.3 Project administration

If the student works out a Company Project or a Fiscale Kliniek Project, a project agreement must be drawn up by the Project Works Coordinator. The signature from the institution will

already be provided.

Only the template made available by KU Leuven must be used for drawing up the agreement. The prepared agreement and all related documents are emailed in pdf format to the student(s). To this end, the official student email address must be used. No changes may be made to the agreement. In addition to this agreement the following documents are also part of the project file of the student:

Project Description:

o The research is carried out on the basis of the project proposal. The agreement is drawn up based on an approved version.

HSE file (Health, Safety and Environment -- VGM in Dutch):

o The student submits the KU Leuven HSE file, which is an integral part of the agreement, to the organisation/project company.

o If it appears from the risk analysis of the workplace that more HSE risks are present when performing the job than those specified in the HSE file, the student must inform the projects coordinator and the provisions in the agreement must be applied.

It is the student's responsibility to print the required number of copies of the above

mentioned documents so he can start his project. Each document must be signed by the various parties. If the student does not comply with this on time, he risks disciplinary action (par. 1.8). Submission of signed documents: for the attention of the Project Works Coordinator. Attention! All signatures must be placed on one and the same original form. Only the original

and thus the paper version will be accepted.

It is also the student's responsibility to submit one original copy of the above mentioned documents as well as the 'Confidentiality agreement of the Master's thesis' document to the project company. The other copy is intended for the student.

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Important: - The student himself must immediately report any changes during the duration of the

project with regard to the appointment of a (new) external co-supervisor and/or the

modification of his contact details to the Project Works Coordinator! - In the event of a change in the design of the project or if discontinuation is envisaged,

the provisions set out in paragraph 7.2-8 shall be monitored in consultation with the Project Works Coordinator!

3 Choice/start-up - continuation of the Master's thesis

3.1 General principles

The student can inform himself about the possibilities for a Master's thesis by means of specific information pages on the FEB Brussels Student Platform.

Are available there:

- overview of start-up dates and period(s) and compliance with deadlines regarding the selection and start of the Master's thesis (Master's thesis time schedule);

- an overview with the existing Research Units (RU) and Research Groups (EG) as well as the active supervisors associated with these centres, including their general (broad) interests in Master's thesis topics (subjects) and contact information10

- during the actual start-up period(s) - which may vary from programme to programme - there is a specific online search interface "Master's thesis title offering" (see par. 3.3);

If the Master's thesis course is a full-year course, the 3rd Wednesday of the new academic

year (October) is considered to be the deadline for the selection/start-up and subsequent registration of the Master's thesis. If the Master's thesis course is a one semester course, the deadline mentioned above is the 3rd Wednesday of the semester in question (October or February).

Anyone who has not complied in time with the start-up of a master’s thesis topic is advised not to include the Master's thesis course into his ISP, or risks a sanction (see par. 1.8).

3.2 Subject

Master of Handelswetenschappen (HW)

& Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The subject is in line with the degree

programme and has (business) economic aspects.

HW: a link to the specialisation is recommended, but by no means mandatory. MBA: students must write and defend their thesis in English.

Master Handelsingenieur (HIR)

& Business Engineering (BE)

The subject should be in line with the

distinguishing features of the degree programme and justify the number of credits. In addition, BE students must write and defend their thesis in English.

Master of Milieu- en Preventiemanagement

(MPM)

The subject must be sufficiently linked to the

degree programme.

Master of Bedrijfseconomie en Bedrijfsbeleid (MiBEB)

The subject has a policy-oriented component and is related to a policy aspect of a company, a government institution or other organisation.

Master of International Business Economics and Management (MIBEM)

The subject corresponds to the individual character of the programme, i.e. the

10 Contact information about supervisors can be found at the Who’s Who pages - KU Leuven website.

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subject, the research question(s) and the findings have a clear business or politico-

economic angle of approach. However, the thesis must always include an international perspective.11 MIBEM students must write and defend their thesis in English.

3.3 Start-up using the Master's thesis offer

The scenario below is the "default" way of selecting and starting a Master's thesis, but does not apply to the Fiscale Kliniek Project (see par. 3.5). The supervisors provide an offer of Master's thesis subjects (topics). This “Master's thesis

offer” is available online from the FEB Student Platform. During the start-up period(s) it:

- is searchable through various search criteria; - contains several title proposals from supervisors with some explanation (e.g. on the

method to be used in the research, start of the literature review etc.) - is permanently updated during the start-up period by the supervisor(s) (additional

titles, status changes, etc.) as soon as the supervisor adds or modifies them; - is only available during the start-up period(s), not in other periods of the academic

year.

The student consults this offer and turns to the supervisor of his choice to apply for a concrete title:

- preferably, the student submits his application by email, introduces himself and, in no more than ten lines, motivates his choice for the specific proposal and informs the supervisor of his (prior) knowledge.

- the supervisor evaluates the applications received, and assigns the title to a candidate (various methods may be used).

Once the student has chosen a Master's thesis in consultation with the supervisor, this choice be must registered in the Master's thesis database. The supervisor, respectively the Master thesis coordinator12 takes care of the registration: the student is not able to do this himself.

Through this registration, other details of the Master's thesis are also recorded, such as the output format, confidentiality, the possible appointment of an internal co-supervisor or work leader, and the language in which the Master's thesis is elaborated. All parties involved can check the registration afterwards:

- student: via "Registration: my Master's thesis" link; - FEB supervisor: via his/her “E-tool Master's theses for supervisors”; - the company: via the project agreement.

Problems with the registration should be reported to the Master's Thesis Coordinator. Registration is subject to a deadline (see par. 1.3 and 3.1).

If, after the start-up, it appears that a student is going to collaborate in one form or another

with a specific company/organisation, the student or supervisor contacts the Master's thesis coordinator for further follow-up. If applicable, a specific type of agreement is then concluded (see par. 2).

3.4 Start-up via own proposal student

The student with his own idea/proposal for a Master's thesis:

- finds out himself on the basis of the overview document by the Research Groups

mentioned in par. 3.1 and/or via the online search interface 'Master's thesis offer' (par. 3.3) who could be the supervisor, i.e. someone who teaches a subject or does research to which the topic belongs;

11 For information about this international component, see the Assessment Criteria Benchmark Table (Appendix 2-3). 12 In the case of a Company Project or Fiscale Kliniek project: registration by the Project Works Coordinator.

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- contacts the supervisor of his choice himself (preferably by email) - if the supervisor accepts the student's proposal, the start-up must be registered

afterwards (cf. par. 3.3). If the proposal concerns (close) cooperation with the

professional field/a company, the Master's thesis coordinator should be contacted for further advice on a possible project agreement.

It should be noted that a supervisor is not obliged to accept any topic, e.g. if it insufficiently

matches his expertise, or if he does not have the opportunity to supervise it.

3.5 Start-up of Fiscale Kliniek Project

Students who wish to follow the Handelswetenschappen-Fiscaliteit Master's programme should attend the specific information session on the concept of the Fiscale Kliniek Project in the 2nd semester of the 3rd Bachelor or bridging programme.

At that time, they will have the opportunity to put themselves forward to develop their Master's thesis at a major tax office and to participate in the selection rounds organised for

that purpose (on the Campus). Students who successfully complete this selection are then assigned a tax case by their office, which will be their Master's thesis. Participation in the selection round is not mandatory. Students may choose to submit their own tax case handed to them by a tax office of their choice. This is also the scenario for students who did not successfully complete the selection round at the large offices. For substantive advice, also with regard to the selection rounds, students can contact Prof. dr. Ilse De Troyer.

All other practical information, the submission of the tax case and further follow-up, the drawing up of the project agreement and the different steps in the project administration (par. 2.3) are dealt with by the Project Works Coordinator (par. 1.2.3), at the latest by the

deadlines set for this purpose (par. 1.3).

3.6 Re-enrolment for the Master's thesis course - continuation or restart?

The following paragraph applies to every student re-enrolling and including the Master's thesis course into his ISP for the 2nd time (or more):

- The student is not obliged to continue with a Master's thesis that he has already started! The student may opt for a new subject, a different type of Master's thesis and/or a different supervisor (provided, of course, that his choice fits within the

regulations for the new academic year). - The student can continue his choice made at the time, provided he receives

the explicit consent (by email or registration) of his supervisor (and of the project company if applicable). Both the supervisor and the project company have

the right to refuse further cooperation with the student. Students who wish to continue working with their supervisor should therefore arrange this well in advance of the stated deadline in order to guarantee their

place with the supervisor. - If the supervisor and/or the project company refuse to cooperate further - or if

the continuation is not possible in practice (e.g. end of employment of the supervisor, termination of the company) - then the student is obliged to choose another supervisor, subject or type of Master's thesis!

Whatever the student's choice, the necessary information must be registered in the MT database, either by the supervisor or by the Master's thesis Coordinator13. and this no later then the 3rd Wednesday of the new academic year.14

13 Or by the Project Works Coordinator who will draw up a new project agreement. 14 In case of a one semester course: 3rd Wednesday of this semester.

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4 Practical development of a Master's thesis

4.1 Teamwork

Teamwork is allowed depending on the size of the topic/research: at the request of the supervisor, a common theme may be examined by several team members from a different perspective. Each team member can also work on a clearly defined part of the research project.

Each team member submits his own, separate Master's thesis (with its own title and/or subtitle). Maximum text overlap with the other team member’s15 text of up to 50% is allowed; a fail mark on the individual part cannot be compensated with a pass on the collective part.

The general provisions regarding teamwork are:

- each team member has the same supervisor (and workleader); - internal and/or external co-supervisors may differ per team member; - where the drafting and submission of a “first paper” (see par. 5.1) applies, each team

member works this out individually, submits it, and receives a personal mark; - each team member registers individually for the defence and defends his thesis

separately: - team members receive an individual final mark for their Master's thesis.

4.2 Language

Language is an important evaluation criterion for each Master's thesis (see Appendices to these Regulations). Correct, appropriate and careful use of language is required, both in the

written work and on the oral defence, and this irrespective of whether or not you write your Master's thesis in Dutch or in English.

In all Dutch-language programmes, Dutch is the “default language” for writing and defending the Master's thesis. In this programme - with the exception of the Fiscale Kliniek Projects- it is permitted to write the Master's thesis in English. The following applies:

- the choice of language is determined at the start, but can be adjusted during the development of the Master's thesis with the approval of the supervisor (see par. 7.1).

- the text of the Master's thesis is written in only one language (no hybrid forms are authorised);

- the language of the title and the language of the text must correspond! So no English title for a Dutch-language Master's thesis nor vice versa;

- appendices may be in another language; - the choice of a language other than the official language of your degree programme

is not an added value for your thesis per se, nor is it a guarantee for a higher mark.

Choosing English is especially advisable in specific situations, such as when information (sources) are almost exclusively in English, English is the main language of the company with which you work etc.;

- the supervisor you choose must agree to supervise a thesis in another language;16 - students who write their Master's thesis in English retain the right to an oral defence

in Dutch. The choice of language for the defence can be reported at the time of registration for the defence.

In the case of the 'Fiscale Kliniek Project' Master's thesis, since the legal terminology is highly technical and specific, this Master's thesis is written and defended exclusively in Dutch. In all English programmes (MBA, MIBEM, Master of Business Engineering), English is the “default” language for writing and defending the Master's thesis. No exceptions are possible.

15 Provided correct references to the work of the fellow student(s) are made, cf. par. 4.4! 16If the supervisor is a lecturer from abroad, he has the right to choose the language of the thesis. This

is mentioned in the list of subjects/titles. Consequently, the student makes a deliberate choice.

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4.3 Output-formats – Form requirements

4.3.1 Scientific article (paper)

The format of a 'scientific article' is compulsory for every new Master's thesis that is started from 2018-2019 onwards (with the exception of the Fiscale Kiniek Project).

In this format, the student follows the generally accepted standards of a scientific article with the aim to publish it in a scientific journal. A template for the article format is available

on the FEB Student Platform (in Dutch as well as in English). Additional guidance can be found in an online accompanying instruction document Form Requirements Campus Brussels.

The article counts up to a maximum of 30 pages for the abstract and the article text together. References and attachments/appendices or annexes are not included in this count. Detailed explanations of the method used, calculations, interview texts, etc., are added in

annex(es)/appendice(s). Specifically for the Handelsingenieur/ Business Engineering Master's thesis, if the student in these programmes writes a Company project as a Master's thesis, an executive summary (for the company) must be added on top of the article.

4.3.2 Report

A report is organised into chapters. The 'corpus' (i.e. the abstract, introduction, text and

conclusion act together) counts at least 50 (up to about 70) pages. References and any appendices/annexes do not count for those 50-70 pages. Additional guidance can be found in an online accompanying instruction document Form Requirements Campus Brussels.

As from 2018-2019, the report format is strictly limited: - to the Fiscale Kliniek Project. A separate template for the Fiscale Kliniek Project

is available on the FEB Student Platform. The Fiscale Kliniek Master's thesis is limited to 35 to 50 pages for the abstract, introduction, text and conclusion. References17 and its annexes are not counted in the number of pages;

- if it concerns a continuation of a Master's thesis that was started at the time in

report format (i.e. if the student already had included the Master's thesis course into his ISP, and had already started this Master's thesis).

In all other situations, the Campus Vice Dean of Education will decide whether it is possible to deviate from the rule that states that the Master's thesis must be elaborated in the article format by default. If a student receives this permission, he can email the Master's thesis Coordinator to request the report template.

4.4 Bibliographical index and reference system18

The following applies:

- The APA style reference system is compulsory in the MA thesis. APA is the system developed by the American Psychological Association. It must be used for making

your literature list as well as for referring to and/or quoting consulted sources in your thesis text.

- In the 'Fiscale Kliniek' Master's thesis projects, only the 'Juridische

afkortingen en verwijzingen' (Legal Abbreviations and References) system is used to list the references or compile the bibliography.

- In consultation with their supervisor, students who write an MA thesis outside the framework of “Ficale Kliniek”, but make extensive use of legal sources, can also

make use of the “Juridische afkortingen & Verwijzingen” (Legal abbreviations and

17 The references for the Fiscale Kliniek Projects follow a specific system, see par. 4.4. 18 See also par. 1.9 for information about the FEB Plagiarism Policy.

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references) system. It is advisable for the supervisor to report this to the Master's thesis Coordinator so that a note to this effect is available in the student's defence file.

- Instruction material for bibliographic reference is available online in the Toledo B-course as on the specific pages Requirements for good research, and in particular the pages on the FEB Plagiarism Policy, available on the FEB Student Platform. It is advisable to take note of these pages. If a student has very specific questions, he can consult his supervisor for additional advice

- Plagiarism detection: all Master's theses submitted for evaluation will be screened by the university for plagiarism and/or fraud.

Important: Be consistent and correct when referring/quoting and respect the intellectual

integrity of scientists and authors under all circumstances.

Consult the specific information pages about “Requirements for good research” and “avoiding plagiarism and fraud” on the FEB Student Platform (mentioned above)! Plagiarism and/or fraud are always sanctioned (par. 1.9).

4.5 Confidentiality of the Master's thesis

Master's theses are, in principle, not confidential, unless the student (as author) or the supervisor (who directs the research) reports the confidentiality to the Master's thesis Coordinator. This notification should preferably be sent by email. The supervisor may also

tick the confidentiality box immediately when registering the start of the Master's thesis. If there are contacts with the professional field for the Master's thesis, a specific agreement

is sometimes needed to guarantee confidentiality (cf. par. 2.1). However, as far as the Master's theses in the form of a Company Project or Fiscale Kliniek

Project (par. 2.2) are concerned, they are always, and from the outset, confidential because of their relationship with an external client and the associated confidentiality provisions in the project agreement. These provisions shall also remain in force afterwards, even if the agreement has expired or is terminated. With regard to all confidential Master's theses, the following applies:

- the confidentiality must be guaranteed not only by the student but also by the FEB

supervisor(s) and the members of the defence jury, who assess the thesis; - if the thesis is confidential, the student mentions the word "confidential" on the

cover. A field in the top right corner is provided on the template for this purpose; - the status "confidential" is registered in the MT database and also in the SAP

administration of KU Leuven; - the final version of each Master's thesis is digitally archived by the university for

legal and administrative-educational reasons. This also applies to confidential

Master's theses. In the framework of e.g. legal or administrative problems, educational visits, etc., the text can consequently be examined by those appointed by the university for this purpose;

- however, confidential Master's theses are never available in the library collection of KU Leuven (E-BiB).19

- specifically for Company projects/Fiscal Clinic projects: after the defence the

confidentiality can be (partially) lifted in consultation with the project company, e.g. following the participation of the Master's thesis in an Award, the use of the Master's thesis in a scientific or other publication, the distribution of a press release sent by the institution, etc. To this end, a KU Leuven employee contacts the project company in question, which must agree in writing to the (partial) lifting of

confidentiality.

19 The normal course of events is that as soon as the student graduates as a Master - which implies that he also succeeded in the Master's thesis - his Master's thesis becomes available online in the KU Leuven library catalogue.

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4.6 Working with sensitive (personal) data in the context of the Master's thesis

In the context of stricter privacy legislation, at the time FEB filed a report with the Privacy

Committee which, pursuant to the new European regulation, has been copied into the internal processing register of KU Leuven. This declaration ensures that the faculty is in compliance with most student works (papers and Master's theses) in which personal data are used.

However, the student must take the following into account:

- The data should be stored safely on a best effort basis (e.g. secure network environment, not left on stick, etc.);

- The student must always inform those involved (interviewee, respondents) about the data he/she collects himself/herself;

- The student must ensure that data are not passed on to third parties without an

official agreement of the person(s) to whom the data relate; - The data concerned may be retained for a maximum of ten years; - If sensitive data such as medical data, national registration number, criminal

record, religious data, etc. are used, there are additional obligations. Those are not covered by this general declaration. In that case, it is best for the supervisor to contact the Vice Dean of Education;

- Most student assignments fall under the overall declaration and no longer require a separate declaration.

- All data that have been anonymised fall outside the scope of the declaration and can be used freely without the above measures.

4.7 Conducting surveys among fellow students or staff

The faculty does not facilitate the conduct of surveys among fellow students or among staff in any way.

Staff members of KU Leuven may under no circumstances pass on contact details (e.g. email addresses) of students to other students or to third parties.

5 Academic support - first paper

In order to help the students in writing a scientifically sound master's thesis, there is - apart from the substantive feedback by the supervisor, see par. 6 - a range of (blended) learning materials that focus on the formulation of problem definition, research questions, scientific

reference and publication. Different approaches apply per degree programme!

5.1 First paper of the Master's thesis (not applicable for MiBEB/MIBEM)

The student is automatically enrolled in a Toledo B-course. This Toledo B-course contains supporting information on the approach and writing out of the Master's thesis, incl. the first paper. This information is about blended learning material (such as web lectures, slides, information on referring (APA) and self-directing exercises (information skills). There are separate folders for each programme. The student takes note of this through self-study.

The student will also "register" in the group of his supervisor via the Grade Center of this Toledo B-course.20

The student then writes a global first (introducing) paper about his Master's thesis during the autumn. The purpose and content of this paper are determined by the student and the supervisor together.

20 Concrete instructions on how this should be done in practice are communicated via the Toledo B-

course.

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The student should pay attention to the following in this paper: - structure: logical and consistent structure; precise, concise and clear text;

integrated contents and critical analysis of the literature/sources;

- language use: flawless, scientific; - referencing: completely in APA in the text and in the literature list (cf. APA

manual).21 The student uploads his paper digitally to the Toledo B-course no later than on the scheduled deadline (see par. 1.3). If the student (re)defends his Master's thesis in the 1ste examination

period (January), it is best to upload the paper earlier than this deadline! The supervisor then gives feedback as well as a mark (pass/fail) via the Grade Center of the Toledo B-course. The given mark is taken into account in the final evaluation of the Master's thesis itself (modalities see par. 9.6.1).

Depending on the nature and the result of the paper, it can subsequently be used (largely)

as a part of the Master's thesis, although this may not always be possible.

Important: there is no exemption for a student who had already submitted a first paper -

successfully or not - in a previous academic year, even not if the student has already unsuccessfully defended a previous version of the thesis. In the current academic year, the student writes a new paper which, in consultation with the supervisor, is revised to the state of affairs and/or progress of the master's thesis research, and uploads this revised paper.

The student may use the following to write out the first paper as well as the Master's thesis:

- The online information in the Toledo B-course, via self-study (see above);

- Directions from the supervisor; the latter can, if necessary, make "good practices" available;

- KU Leuven Library Collection & E-resources - Library catalogue LIMO: campus view LIMO-catalogue (physical copies in available

in the library Campus Brussels); - Referrals with regard to writing assistance, writing advice and academic writing (in

Dutch as well as in English) can be found on the FEB Language Platform.

In some cases, specific contact hours are provided for the first paper:

- For students of Handelswetenschappen/MBA: one global (short) contact moment in the course schedule (start of the 1st semester);

- For students of HW-Fiscale Kliniek there are lectures on the first paper for a Master's thesis Fiscale Kliniek with a special focus on the use of and reference to

legal sources.

- For MPM students, a number of hearing and work seminars are provided on writing the first paper, writing a scientific article and making a scientific poster, including a practice session on presenting this poster.

- For students of Handelsingenieur/Business Engineering, extra contact hours are provided, which will elaborate on the mandatory format of a scientific article for this programme. In addition, during the contact hours, attention is also paid to the

executive summary, which is mandatory for Company Projects. A total of 3 lectures will be given (of 2 contact hours each). Each lecture is linked to a question and answer session (two hours) and a workshop (two hours). Students should submit a paper for the questions and answers session before a set deadline. The deadline will be communicated during the lectures. The paper will be discussed individually during the questions and answers session at the time agreed by the student and lecturer. Each question session is followed by a workshop in

which the most important points of interest from the question session are discussed and there is room for extra questions from the student. Attending the contact hours is strongly advised.

21 For Fiscale Kliniek Master's theses an exception applies, see also par. 4.4.

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5.2 Scientific poster (MPM exclusively)

Students of MPM are only required to produce a scientific poster in addition to the First Paper

mentioned above. The content and form requirements for this can be found in the lectures & practical lectures listed below. The poster will be presented and evaluated during the oral defence (see par. 9.6.5).

6 Master's thesis guidance

The student is responsible for the content of his Master's thesis, as well as for its timely completion.

In the concrete approach and elaboration of the master's thesis, the student will be

supervised in terms of content by a supervisor. The supervisor may be assisted by other persons. The various roles are explained below.

6.1 Supervisor

The appointment of a supervisor is mandatory. The student cannot start, defend or continue a Master's thesis in a later academic year without a supervisor confirming the collaboration

(by email or upon registration). The supervisor is always a staff member of KU Leuven and must always meet the requirements in terms of status and appointment set out in the "Beleidsnota met betrekking

tot de masterproef" (2016) of the KU Leuven Education Council. Supervisors of Master's theses in the study programmes of FEB Campus Brussels also have an educational and/or research assignment on this Campus.

Applications for exceptions are submitted to the Campus Vice Dean of Education (and discussed with the Master's thesis Coordinator for the practical consequences). Since the supervisor is also an evaluator of the Master's thesis, the supervisor may never be family or a relative of the student (up to the 4th degree) - cf. KU Leuven Education & Examination Regulations.

Each supervisor of FEB Brussels has access through the staff intranet to an E-tool called "Master's theses and Supervisors" used for the management of his personal supervisor records and specific Master's thesis topics in the various degree programmes.

The supervisor: - is the most important adviser of the Master's thesis and is consequently the first

point of contact of the student. See also par. 6.4 and in particular Master’s thesis Guidance and annex 1 to these regulations;

- can be assisted in the supervision by an internal co-supervisor (par. 6.2) or by a workleader/daily supervisor (par. 6.3);

- is the first point of contact for the (ombuds) service(s) in the event of specific questions or problems with regard to the Master's thesis of the student concerned;

- the commitment of the supervisor ends at the end of the academic year in which the

student could have defended - unless the student and the supervisor agree to continue working on the Master's thesis together in the context of a re-enrolment for the course (see par. 3.6). If a supervisor is unwilling or unable to continue the supervision in a subsequent academic year, he or she shall inform the student and the Master's Thesis

Coordinator in good time.

Furthermore, the following additional rules apply:

- In any case, there can only be one supervisor per student and per Master's thesis. - A team of students share the same supervisor. - If a student wishes to transfer to another supervisor on his or her own initiative, this

is a structural change (par. 7.2).

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- The supervisor is a member of the student's jury and therefore always plays an important role in the evaluation of the Master's thesis (par. 9).

- If a supervisor is unable to serve as supervisor during the academic year for serious,

long-term or structural reasons/ force majeure, the Campus Vice Dean of Education shall appoint a replacement in consultation with the Master's thesis Coordinator. This replacement will then take over all the tasks of the supervisor for a period of time. The scope and duration of the replacement and any other arrangements will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

6.2 Internal co-supervisor

The appointment of an internal co-supervisor for the Master's thesis is optional. The internal co-supervisor should meet the same conditions as a supervisor (see par. 6.1). Exceptions

are, however, possible in consultation with the Campus Vice Dean of Education. The specific task of the internal co-supervisor is to provide the student - in addition to the

feedback from the supervisor - with extra substantive advice with regard to certain subject matter, angle of approach, specific part of the discipline or method:

- It is never the student who appoints the internal co-supervisor (on his own initiative). Supervisor and internal co-supervisor discuss this among themselves.

- One student can only have one internal co-supervisor. Preferably, the appointment of an internal co-supervisor should not be combined with the appointment of a workleader (see par. 6.3).

- The supervisor notifies the Master's thesis Coordinator of the appointment of an internal co-supervisor by email (the MT Coordinator changes the registration in the MT-database).

- In principle, no internal co-supervisor is appointed in the case of an externally

organised Master's thesis (exceptions are only made via the Campus Vice Dean of Education).

- Team members do not need to have the same internal co-supervisor. - Changes relating to the appointment of an internal co-supervisor after the start of

the Master's thesis are considered 'small changes' (see par. 7.2). - The internal co-supervisor is a member of the student's jury and can, if he wishes,

contribute to the evaluation (see par. 9). - The student mentions the name of the internal co-supervisor on the cover of the

Master's thesis (see template).

6.3 Workleader/daily supervisor

The appointment of a workleader to supervise a Master's thesis is optional.

A workleader is in principle a PhD student - possibly in a different position - attached to FEB Campus Brussels. The workleader may never be family or a relative (up to 4th degree)

of the student (cf. KU Leuven Education & Examination Regulations): - There is no more than one workleader per student. - The supervisor decides on the appointment of a workleader and reports this to the

Master's thesis Coordinator by email (she inputs the registration in the MT database). - In principle, the appointment of a workleader is not combined with the appointment

of an internal co-supervisor (see par. 6.2).

- The student mentions the name of the workleader on the cover of his Master's thesis (see template).

- The workleader is a member of the jury and consequently contributes to the evaluation of the Master's thesis (see par. 9).

6.4 External co-supervisor

The appointment of an external co-supervisor is strictly limited to, and required by, Company Projects and Fiscale Kliniek Projects. One supervisor from the project company is always appointed. The project supervisor is given the function of 'external co-supervisor' for the Master's thesis. The following applies:

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- The external co-supervisor may never be family or a relative (up to the 4th degree) of the student. In specific circumstances where a student develops his Master's thesis in his own family business, the student should contact the Project Works

Coordinator about this situation. - There is mostly only one external co-supervisor per student. - Student-team members do not need to have the same external co-supervisor. - The student will ensure that he reports interim changes with regard to the

appointment of an external co-supervisor and/or his contact details (par. 2.3). - KU Leuven invites the external co-supervisor to attend the defence (par. 9.3).

6.5 Cooperation between student/supervisors - survey Master's thesis (supervision)

The cooperation between the student and his Master's thesis supervisors, the "profile of a

good supervisor/workleader” as well as what can be expected of this person, is laid down in a collective document by the Faculty of Economics & Business: see annex 1 of the present regulations.

The profile of a "good Master's (thesis) student" is also laid down in this document. It should be noted that this profile is in line with the Master's thesis evaluation criteria "Process & Attitude" (see par. 9 and the annexes with evaluation criteria by these regulations). When the student defends his Master's thesis, he is given the opportunity by the programme

to evaluate the Master's thesis course, including the collaboration with his supervisor(s) and project company (if applicable). This is done using a digital survey about the realisation of the Master's thesis. The student receives this survey by email (in the period between submission and defence date).

The results of the questionnaire are processed completely anonymously; they are important

feedback for the institution.

7 (Registration of) Master's thesis changes

Students are expected to check the registration of their Master's thesis via the 'Registration: My master's thesis' link.

- If there are type or spelling errors, the student can email the correction to the Master's thesis Coordinator.

- For all other changes, the student must follow the procedure described below.

7.1 Small changes

These are limited changes such as:

- changes to the (working) title, including deletions or additions of words or sentence parts;

- deleting, adding, or modifying a subtitle; - changing the concept/approach/scope of the Master's thesis incl. switching to a new

subject with one's own supervisor's. This should be coordinated with the supervisor, may never be decided unilaterally by the student and will lead to a new work title;

- adjusting the (work) title to the final title and subtitle, such as it will appear on the cover of the Master's thesis and be used during the defence;

- changing the language of the Master's thesis; - making the thesis confidential (or not);

- the appointment/removal of the internal co-supervisor or workleader;

- new external co-supervisor and/or change of contact information external co-supervisor.

For each of the above listed changes - with the exception of the last item on the external co-supervisor - the written consent of the supervisor is required:

- in specific circumstances (and deadlines) the supervisor can make the change

himself in the MT database by using the E-tool for supervisors;

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- or the student emails the Master's thesis Coordinator the change provided that this email contains the explicit proof of agreement of the supervisor. Making your supervisor a CC field recipient of your email will not be accepted as proof of his

approval.

Changes must be reported no later than by the deadlines mentioned in the time schedule (see par. 1.3). No changes will be accepted after the student has registered for the oral defence. The

student who effectively submits his Master's thesis for defence, mentions the title on the cover of his Master's thesis as it was at the time of registration for the defence. The student will also type this title in exactly the same way when uploading the final version in his KU Loket.

7.2 Structural changes

Structural changes are always major changes at the student's own request or initiative, such as, for example:

- The student wishes to switch to another supervisor (with or without retention of subject).

- The student wants a change in the setup/approach of a Company Project or Fiscale Kliniek Project. It should be noted that:

o The student is subject to the provisions in the agreement and is consequently not allowed to change the aim of the project unilaterally and on his own accord!

o A change to the setup/approach is only possible if all parties concerned

(project company, student, supervisor) mutually agree on the change and its implications (e.g. postponement of the defence).

Consequently, the necessary written evidence of this mutual agreement must be transferred to the Project Works Coordinator by the student so it can be included in the student's Master's thesis file.

Because structural changes usually have major consequences, not only for the student himself, but sometimes also for the supervisor(s) and/or the company involved, such changes are not evident, and are therefore not automatically allowed:

- There is a specific deadline, in order not to compromise the chances of success for the Master's thesis course in the current academic year (see par. 1.3). Changes after that deadline will result in the student defending in that academic year +1 (see also par. 8).

- The application for a structural change may be refused if the higher education

institution is unable to accept it for practical reasons, for guidance or for other reasons.

8 Discontinue the Master's thesis / the project

The student is responsible for his own Master's thesis and can therefore decide to discontinue it. The student reports this to the supervisor and should also report it to the Master's thesis Coordinator, so that the registration in the MT database can be adjusted. An exception applies to the discontinuation of a Master's thesis for which a project-agreement has been made (Company Project or Fiscale Kliniek Project).

The student is consequently subject to the provisions in the project agreement and is not allowed to terminate it on his own accord:

- If a student considers discontinuing an externally organised Master's thesis, he should contact the Project Works Coordinator to discuss further formalities.

- If the student is found to be in default in the development of his Business Project/Fiscale Kliniek Project, both KU Leuven and the project company have the

right to terminate the project agreement and to terminate the Master's thesis, which obviously has important consequences for the student (cf. par. 1.8).

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You should be aware of the following important points if you discontinue or terminate a Company Project/Fiscale Kliniek Project - irrespective of the party that took the initiative:

- If the agreement has been broken, the student must give back to the project company all documentation, information and/or materials he received for the execution of the project and which he received from the project company;

- Even after the agreement has effectively been broken, no matter which party took the initiative, the student remains bound by the specific clauses of the agreement regarding confidentiality;

- If the student, after the termination, subsequently starts up a new Master's thesis (even if that is later in the academic year), he shall never be allowed to deal with a research question that is connected to the former research company and/or use information from/about the former project company!

A student who discontinues his or her Master's thesis may consider having the Master's thesis course removed from his or her ISP, if this is still possible. Deleting a course is subject

to a deadline and procedure (cf. par. 1.3). A student who discontinues his Master's thesis may start a new Master's thesis with another supervisor and may defend it in the current academic year, provided that the deadline for structural changes (see par. 1.3) has not been exceeded. If the deadline is exceeded, the student can start with a new supervisor, but the new Master's thesis will be defended at the earliest in academic year +1 (par. 7.2).

9 Evaluation

9.1 General principles

The examination for the Master's thesis course is subject to all the provisions of the KU Leuven Education & Examination Regulations, such as:

- If the Master's thesis course is a full-year course (two semesters): The first examination opportunity is by default in the 2nd examination period (June); 2nd examination opportunity in the 3rd examination period (Aug-Sept).

- If the Master's thesis course is a one semester course, the examination is taken at

the end of this semester, and the 2nd opportunity is in the 3rd examination period (Aug-Sept).

- Students have a maximum of 2 exam opportunities (per course) per academic year. - Taking the exam/defending in an earlier examination period (e.g. in January

instead of June; in June instead of September) is admitted, provided the student complies with the provisions in the KU Leuven Education & Examination Regulations

(art. 47 and 49 - FEB faculty additions) and submits a request for an early graduation

(exam change request). o Note: Students are informed about the procedure in good time by the

Master's thesis Coordinator (Exam Change Request); o The request cannot be reversed.

- The mark received for the Master's thesis is final: If the student has passed the course, he is not allowed to retake the exam in a later exam period.

In order to obtain a mark for the Master's thesis course, no later than by the applicable deadlines (par. 1.3) the student must:

- have fulfilled all administrative obligations concerning the enrolment as a student, the ISP and the start of his Master's thesis (including with the project administration if applicable);

- register22 for the defence in the desired exam period (deadline and modalities are

communicated by the Master's thesis Coordinator in due course);

- submit the finalised version of the Master's thesis in a timely manner, together with the annexes and any other documents (such as raw data, plagiarism certificate):

o strict deadline23: see time schedule par. 1.3);

22 This enrolment does not apply to MiBEB/M students completing the Master's thesis course: Conducting literature research. 23 Cf. par. 1.3, timely submission is a condition for participating in the defence and thus for obtaining a mark for the Master's thesis.

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o concrete instructions for uploading: see FEB Student Platform o a student who fails and takes up his 2nd examination opportunity in the same

academic year, must submit a substantially reworked version of his Master's

thesis by the stipulated deadline. - effectively defend the submitted work orally before the jury (at the moment of

defence allocated to him). The assigned dates on which there are defences are within the three examination periods and are fixed and communicated in advance (par. 1.3):

- The defences take place exclusively in the (class)rooms of Campus Brussels from 08:30 to 21.30.

- A student wishing to defend in a certain examination period must be able to be present on the Campus on all defence dates communicated for that period. The student may not choose his own defence moment on the day(s) mentioned, nor can

he defend via Skype, videoconferencing or similar methods. - Students who submit their Master's thesis for defence receive their precise defence

moment and other details (room, jury) via the 'Registration: My master's thesis' link , approx. 2 weeks after the submission date.

9.2 Jury24

Anyone who is eligible to be supervisor/internal co-supervisor of an Master’s thesis can also be appointed as a jury member25. When selecting the jury, the specialisation and interests

of the jury members are taken into account. The jury consists of at least 3 people:

- The chairperson: ensures that the correct procedure is followed and mediates if

necessary; - The supervisor: If special circumstances justify or require it, the supervisor may

be replaced in the jury panel by a ‘3rd member’ (or the internal co-supervisor); - The thesis examiner: The examiner is the most important assessor. He focuses on

content and method; - The internal co-supervisor (if applicable); - The workleader (if applicable).

All members of the jury, with the exception of the chairperson, give a mark for the written

work in advance (evaluation criteria: see par. 9.6 and the associated Benchmark Table in annexe). All jury members are allowed to participate in the discussion and ask the student questions.

The members of the jury present - in the supervisor(s) and the thesis examiner - determine the score for the oral defence (for MPM: also for the poster presentation), and set the final

score by consensus (par. 9.7). If the supervisor or the thesis examiner is absent, the member of the jury who is present autonomously determines the score for the oral defence and also the final score (cf. par. 9.9).

9.3 Contribution of the project company at the defence26

KU Leuven invites the external co-supervisor to attend the oral defence. If the moment of defence is not appropriate, the project company may send a replacement or written advice. The company - not the student! - must provide the necessary information in advance by email. All modalities are explained in the invitation received by the company

from the Master's thesis Coordinator.27

24 Not applicable to MiBEB/M students completing the Master's thesis: Literature Review course. 25 Exceptions are possible for Double Degree programs with other educational institutions. 26 Not applicable to MiBEB/M students completing the Master's thesis: Literature Review course 27 Companies send the names of replacements or their advice directly to the Master's thesis Coordinator by email at least 24h (i.e. one entire working day) before the start of the defence. If any advice is sent

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The invitation for the defence sent to the project company is without obligation: the company is not required to be present nor send a replacement or advice. The external co-supervisor may be accompanied by colleagues from the project company.

If the external co-supervisor/replacement is present, the chairperson will give him/her the floor to explain the project company's position on the project (see par. 9.5). If the project company has sent a written advice in advance, the chairperson will inform the jury (see 9.5). The presence of the project company is strictly limited to the public part of the defence (par.

9.5). The project company does not help to determine the final mark, nor is it present.

9.4 Public28

Public is admitted to the public part of the defence (see par. 9.5), provided that: - The members of the public identify themselves to the chairperson. - The jury members consider the public's presence desirable; they can object against

the presence of certain members of the public at the start of the defence. - If it concerns a Company Project or Fiscale Kliniek Project, then - in view of the

confidentiality clause in the Project Agreement - the project company must give its prior written consent to the presence of the public. The student then asks the project company for permission beforehand, and sends their agreement by email to the Master's thesis Coordinator for inclusion in the defence file.

9.5 Proceedings of the oral defence29

A maximum session of 45 minutes will be scheduled for each Master's thesis, including the

deliberation by the jury and the determination of the final mark. Behind closed doors:

- The jury members and the examiner have read the thesis beforehand and given a mark for the written work and the process. They hand their filled-in evaluation form to the chairperson in advance;

- The chairperson checks that the forms are duly completed and signed and that they are complete and correct;

- If the project company has given prior advice, marks and/or comments and there are questions (from absent jury members) in the file, the chairperson will explain

what is necessary. Public part:

- The student, the possible public and/or representation of the project company are

called in; - The chairperson opens the session and introduces those present. Any public should

make themselves known (par. 9.4);

- The defence consists exclusively of an interview with the jury. The thesis examiner directs the questions: the student does not give an oral presentation;30

- The student is expected to answer the questions of the thesis examiner and jury without preparation. He brings along a printout of his Master's thesis to this end;

- The supervisor(s) then give(s) comments and feedback on the text, approach, conclusions and/or development of the thesis; each of them can also ask questions;

- If the external co-supervisor from the project company is present, the chairperson will give this person the floor explicitly to explain the position/advice of the project company with regard to the elaboration and the results of the research carried out by the student.

within the 24 hours’ time frame before the defence, there is no guarantee that it will be included into the jury members' files in time. The jury will never take advice into account that is sent only after the defence has started. 28 Not applicable to MIBEM students completing the Master's thesis: Literature Review course 29Not applicable to MIBEM students completing the Master's thesis: Literature Review course. 30 The only exception is the MPM Master’s thesis defence where the student presents on the basis of his/her scientific poster.

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- If a jury member is absent, the chairperson informs the student and the other jury members of the questions and/or comments of the absent member;

- Once all questions have been dealt with and the discussion has been completed, the

chairperson concludes; - The student – and any public including represents of the company – leave the room.

It is not allowed to make audio-visual recordings of the oral defence!

Behind closed doors:

- The jury present determines the final mark (see par. 9.6-9.7). - The project company (if applicable) does not participate in this (par. 9.3). - The jury does not inform the student of the result (par. 9.7).

9.6 Overview of evaluation criteria

Generally speaking:

- The final mark for the Master's thesis is determined holistically. - There are several components to the Master's thesis, with associated evaluation

criteria. Each of the criteria is assessed in accordance with the benchmark tables available in Annexes to this regulation:

o the "First Paper" for the Master's thesis (if applicable - see par. 5); o the written work/Master's thesis itself (including the programme-specific

perspective cf. benchmark table);

o the process (the realisation) of the Master's thesis; o the oral defence; o exclusively for MPM Master's thesis: the scientific poster.

9.6.1 Evaluation criteria for the "first Master's thesis Paper"

The information in par.9.6.1 is not applicable to Master's theses in the MiBEB and MIBEM degree programmes.

Information about the concept of the "first paper": see par. 5. The supervisor gives a pass/fail score in the course of the academic year irrespective of whether the student is defending.

Procedure:

- The student uploads his First Paper to the group of his supervisor in the Grade Center

of the Toledo B-course no later than the foreseen deadline31 (see par. 1.3). - There is only one final deadline to upload this First Paper: there is no 2nd

examination opportunity for this paper. o Not uploading the First paper- or only uploading it until after the planned

deadline - will result in a fail score that cannot be rectified during the current academic year;

- The supervisor assesses the paper in general terms and gives a pass or fail mark. He must motivate his mark in writing, that is to say: he may write comments in the paper, or use track changes or write a separate motivation ...).

- The supervisor uploads both the mark and, if necessary, his substantive feedback to

the Grade Center, no later than the deadline set for this purpose (see par. 1.3). The student will be able to take note of this.

The pass/fail mark obtained for the first paper will be taken into account in the evaluation

given by the supervisor for the written work (see par. 9.6.2).

31Students who defended their Master's thesis in January, are advised to upload their paper (much) earlier. However, no specific deadline applies to them!

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Important: - If the student defends the Master's thesis, but fails it, and if, in addition, he

redefends in the same academic year, the first paper in this redefence no longer

forms part of the evaluation! - However, in the event of failure to defend or to succeed for a Master's thesis, an

obtained "pass" for the first paper may never be retained/transferred to a subsequent academic year. The student must consequently once again meet the examination modalities for this part in the next academic year.

9.6.2 Evaluation criteria for the written work of the Master's thesis32

The "written work" refers to the final version of the master's thesis as submitted by the student via KU Loket.

A mark for the written work is given before the start of the defence:

- by the supervisor/3rd member, in consultation with the workleader (if applicable)

- by the internal co-supervisor (if applicable) - by the thesis examiner.

All these parties give their marks on the basis of the previous reading of the final version of the Master's thesis, as submitted by the student via KU Loket. The evaluation is based on the following criteria, which are explained in detail in the

Benchmark Table (see Annexes): - First paper (given by the FEB Supervisor, but not applicable to MiBEB/MIBEM) - Problem description and theoretical, practical and/or methodological added value (of

the study),

- Literature review, - Research method,

- Results (Advice: if applicable), - Discussion and conclusions, - Lay-out: structure, language, style, format and formal requirements (incl. citation of

sources) such as imposed by the degree programme, - Intellectual integrity, - Educational specific angle of the written work.

Method: - The jury member will find a digital copy of the submitted paper in his personal KU

Loket. - The jury member will receive a notice letter for the defence and an evaluation form. - The jury member reviews the work and assesses it against each of the evaluation

criteria. He/she awards partial scores based on the "Benchmark Table Evaluation Criteria" (see Annexes).

- In this table, the cutting score (= pass 10-11) is described both positively and negatively as a tipping point between unsatisfactory (in red and italic) and good: 'this is sufficient but there are weak elements' (green).

o A tolerable/non-tolerable fail mark shows that the student must make small/significant changes to the thesis;

- If a jury member gives 1 non-tolerable fail mark for the written work (including the

programme-specific criterion and the first paper) or for the process, or if the jury member gives 2 tolerable fail marks for the written work and/or the process, the student cannot pass the exam for this jury member.

o Specifically for the supervisors, a Fail for the First Paper is counted as the first tolerable fail mark on the written work.33

- The jury member signs the completely filled in evaluation form and hands it to the

chairperson at the start of the defence.

- The jury member may not alter the previously awarded score for the written work during or after the oral defence.

32 Not applicable to MiBEB/MIBEM students completing the Master's thesis: Literature Review course. 33 The pass/fail score is printed on the evaluation form for the supervisor(s).

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9.6.3 Process/attitude evaluation criterion during the development of the Master's thesis34

Marks for this evaluation criterion are given by (the) FEB supervisor(s) before the start of

the defence. The evaluation is done using the individual evaluation form. This criterion focuses on the extent to which the student has acted on recommendations and feedback of the supervisors, has kept appointments, worked independently or kept the supervisor(s) informed on his own initiatives.

In concrete terms, the student is expected to at least keep the supervisor(s) regularly informed of progress. If not, the student receives a fail mark for this evaluation criterion (see Annexes). If the supervisor is not able to give a mark, the internal co-supervisor's/the workleader's or

the supervisor's replacement's mark will count (if applicable).

If no internal co-supervisor/workleader/replacement was appointed and the supervisor is replaced by a 3rd member ad hoc, the supervisor will be asked to nevertheless give a mark for 'process' or give the necessary feedback. When the supervisor is not able to give a mark for the process or is not able to give feedback, this will be registered as such in the defence file by the Master's thesis coordinator. The evaluation criterion in question will subsequently not be included in the final score for the Master's thesis.

9.6.4 Evaluation criterion for the oral defence35

This evaluation is done by all jury members present after the interview with the jury and

focuses on the extent to which the student answers the questions of the jury and demonstrates insight and knowledge in the subject matter.

9.6.5 Scientific poster (only applicable to the MPM programme)

The scientific poster is submitted digitally by email to Prof. dr. Carine Van den Broeke. Instructions are posted on the Toledo course. The poster is presented and assessed during the oral defence: the student is given the

opportunity to participate in a poster practice session. The scientific poster as well as the presentation of the study based on the poster, is evaluated by the Master's thesis jury, who use the Benchmark Table (annex 2) and is included by the

jury in the final result of the Master's thesis.

9.7 Determining the final mark (result) of the Master's thesis36

The jury reaches a final result based on all evaluation criteria:

- The chairperson calculates the arithmetic mean of the grades given by the jury members before the defence.37

o If an internal co-supervisor or a workleader has been appointed, the marks of the supervisor and internal co-supervisor/workleader are taken together

and count as one mark (i.e. the supervisors together give no more than half of the marks prior to the defence, the examiner gives the other half);

34 The profile of the "good Master's student" corresponds to this and is available in Annex 1 to these

Regulations. 35 Not applicable to MiBEB/MIBEM students completing the Master's thesis: Literature Review course. 36 Not applicable to MiBEB/M students completing the Master's thesis: Literature Review course. 37 If an absent jury member has handed in an evaluation form, it is available in the student's defence

file.

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- The chairperson calculates the arithmetic mean of the score that each jury member present gives for the oral defence (supervisor and internal co-supervisor/workleader count as one jury member).

- The mark for the scientific poster (exclusively for MPM). - The jury present determines the final mark in mutual consultation. All elements are

taken into account. The final mark for the Master's thesis:

- is a number out of 20, to one decimal place;

- is not necessarily the mathematical mean of the previous marks. The marks prior to the defence take precedence.

Important:

- Students do not receive their final mark for their Master's thesis through the jury,

nor through the supervisor, but through official channels: Publication of the Examination Results on KU Loket. Results will only be released after they have

been ratified by the Examination Board. No KU Leuven employee - including the supervisor - informs the student in advance of the result.

- If so desired, students are entitled to a substantive follow-up interview with their supervisor and/or examiner after they have taken knowledge of their results.

o Such a discussion will focus on points for improvement in the event of a re-defence and is not intended to call into question the mark received.

o If the student wishes to redefend the master's thesis with an unsuccessful result, the student shall contact the supervisor. It is the supervisor - not the examiner - who argues the insufficiency from the jury towards the student and who supervises the revision of the master's thesis.

- The student only receives the final mark and cannot take knowledge of the marks of the individual jury members, nor of (partial) marks for specific aspects (with the

exception of the interim mark for the first paper). - The jury makes their final assessment by consensus. All jury members are therefore

supposed to preserve full discretion about the marks given beforehand, the discussion within the jury as well as about the individual views of each jury member.

9.8 No consensus in the jury38

If the jury after the oral defence does not reach a consensus about the final result even after the mediation efforts of the chairperson, the jury can have a 2nd examiner appointed, who will assess the written work. The two jury members are then required to justify in writing the mark given by them, so the justification can be added to the defence file.

The 2nd examiner is appointed by the Master's Thesis Coordinator, receives the written work to be assessed and is asked to give his mark within a reasonable period of time.

The final mark is calculated by the Master's Thesis Coordinator on the basis of three

elements, from which the rounded average is calculated39: - Mark for the written work given by the original (1st) thesis examiner; - Mark for the written work given by the 2nd thesis examiner; - Mark for the written work (incl. process) by the supervisor(s). Supervisors count as

one jury member.40 Scenario 1: If at least two out of three jury members awarded the student a pass mark

(at least 10/20) for the written work, the student passes the Master's thesis course. In order to determine the exact final mark, the Master's thesis Coordinator follows the following path:

38 Not applicable to MiBEB/M students completing the Master's thesis: Literature Review course. 39 The Master's thesis Coordinator completes the defence file with the necessary information and documents. 40If an internal co-supervisor or workleader was appointed for the Master's thesis, the mark given by the supervisors will be the calculated average of the individual marks given by each supervisor. If only the supervisor or co-supervisor has assessed the thesis, only his mark will be used.

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- In the case of a rounded average of three marks >= 10, the student will receive this rounded average as his final mark (rounded to the first decimal place)

- If the rounded average of three marks is <10, the grade is raised to 10.0/20.

Scenario 2: If at least two out of three jury members awarded the student a fail grade

(less than 10/20) for the written work, the student fails the Master's thesis course. In order to determine the exact mark to be awarded, the Master's thesis Coordinator follows the following path: - In the case of a rounded average of three marks >= 9, the student will receive

9.0/20 as his final mark; - In the case of a rounded average of three marks <9, the student will receive this

rounded average as his final mark (rounded to the first decimal place).

9.9 Attendances & absences of jury members41

9.9.1 Attendance requirement

Supervisors, examiners and chairpersons are expected to be present at the defences for which they were notified. Those who cannot be present:

- inform the Master's thesis Coordinator as soon as possible to follow up on the practical aspects;

- submit - preferably at least one working day in advance - the completed evaluation

form and, if you are a thesis examiner also the related questions and/or comments for the defence file42;

- in any case, substantiates his absence (or the reason for it) with the necessary

certificates and sends them to the Human Resources Department and/or to the Vice Campus Dean of Education.

If a workleader is appointed, he cannot replace the supervisor at the defence: the supervisor is expected to be present himself. If the workleader and supervisor are present together at the defence, they will be considered as one jury member. Workleaders may be present at the defence, but are not obliged to do so. If an internal co-supervisor has been appointed, at least one of the two FEB supervisors must be present at the defence (either the supervisor or the internal co-supervisor).

If the internal co-supervisor and supervisor are present together, they are considered as one jury member. If there is also a third supervisor (workleader), all supervisors are considered together as one jury member. The internal co-supervisor has the right to assess the written work as well as the process

beforehand and has the right to attend the oral defence, although he is not obliged to do so, unless the supervisor is not able to attend.

External co-supervisors do not have to be present (see also par. 9.3).

Jury members are not allowed to arrange "replacements" in juries or "changes" of defence

moments/rooms without consulting the Master's thesis Coordinator beforehand.

9.9.2 Non-attendance procedure

Chairperson absent: the Master's thesis Coordinator appoints (if possible) a replacement chairperson.

Supervisor/3rd member absent - and there is no internal co-supervisor: the defence is legally valid provided the jury member has submitted his mark beforehand (as well as his questions/comments, if any) (see 9.9.1). The chairperson reads any questions and/or

remarks to the student. The thesis examiner assesses the answers and establishes the final

41 Not applicable to MiBEB/M students completing the Master's thesis: Literature Review course. 42 This, of course, does not apply to the chairperson.

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result. If there are no marks in advance on behalf of the supervisor, the defence cannot start. The Master's thesis Coordinator then determines a new defence date and/or appoints the 3rd member to replace the supervisor.

Supervisor absent - there is an internal co-supervisor: the attendance of the co-supervisor is required; he replaces the supervisor. If none of the two supervisors is present, the defence cannot start, even if the marks given in advance have been submitted. The Master's thesis coordinator schedules a new defence and/or appoints ad hoc a 3rd member, who assesses the Master's theses and replaces the absent supervisors.

The internal co-supervisor is absent: since there is no attendance requirement, there are no specific procedures except in the case of simultaneous absence of the supervisor (see above).

Workleader absent: since there is no obligation to be present, there are no specific procedures.

Thesis examiner absent: the defence can be validly continued provided that the thesis examiner has submitted in writing and before the start of the defence his evaluation form supplemented with substantive questions and comments. The chairperson can find this information in the defence file, calculates the pre-assigned score(s) and asks the questions to the student on behalf of the examiner. The supervisor (and/or the internal co-supervisor or workleader) must assess/evaluate the

oral answers and the defence and establish the final result. If the examiner is absent, and there is no pre-assigned score or questions available on his behalf, then the defence cannot start. The Master's thesis Coordinator schedules a new defence and/or appoints a new thesis examiner. Supervisor/internal co-supervisor/3rd member and thesis examiner are absent at

the same time: the defence cannot start, not even if the marks and questions/comments of all parties are available in advance or if the workleader is present. The Master's thesis Coordinator schedules a new defence and/or appoints an ad hoc jury.