Masters Studies Guidelines
26/05/2025 2025-06-02 21:12Masters Studies Guidelines
Master's Studies Guidelines
Alma Mater Europaea University, Vienna Location, Austria
May 2025
Table of Contents
General Structure
Masters programs at Alma Mater are two-year 120-ECTS programs that include mandatory and elective courses, and a masters thesis.
Program is delivered primarily online and allows students to study and conduct activities remotely, with structured opportunities for collaboration and academic exchange.
The program is flexible in pace, allowing students to progress according to their individual timelines, while adhering to institutional deadlines. Although the program is primarily remote, one mandatory in-person research meeting is held each year. This 4-day event typically occurs in March in Vienna and includes:
- Presentations of ongoing research by doctoral students
- Research workshops and guest lectures
- Structured academic networking and peer feedback sessions
Attendance at this annual meeting is required for all masters students.
Coursework and Online Engagement
Most courses generally follow a three-phase structure:
a) Introductory Session
The instructor presents the course overview, theoretical framework, and assignments.
b) Academic Assignments
Students complete assignments and academic tasks independently or in groups, with access to online materials, in-person sessions, and/or mentorship.
c) Weekly Online Lectures and/or Seminars
Students are expected to participate in live weekly sessions, which include:
– Report on their progress
– Discussion of assigned readings and coursework
– Debate on theoretical and methodological issues
– Sharing and critique of students’ research progress
– Academic communication and presentation practice
Masters Thesis
To graduate and earn a Master’s degree, students must complete all coursework and successfully defend a master’s thesis. The thesis demonstrates the student’s theoretical understanding, application of knowledge, research competence, and critical thinking in a chosen field. The thesis must be an original and independent written work. In exceptional cases, it may be part of a larger research or applied project if approved by the Study Affairs Committee (SAC). The thesis is usually written in English, German, or Slovenian. Other languages may be used with SAC approval. Abstracts in the language of the thesis, English, and Slovenian are required.
Standard length: 60-80 pages (A4) excluding cover, abstract, acknowledgments, references, appendices. Students may submit group theses (2-3 students) under strict conditions, clearly outlining each student’s contribution. Group theses are longer and defenses extended. Students propose the thesis title and topic, optionally in collaboration with a professor or an external institution.
Students are expected to choose or are assigned their mentor by SAC. Mentors must be faculty with a rank of Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in the relevant field, with a proven research record. A co-mentor from Alma Mater may be assigned if the primary mentor is external.
A workplace co-mentor may be appointed if the research is conducted within an external organization. They must hold a Master’s-level qualification and be listed in the thesis (but do not vote in the defense). Mentors and co-mentors may not be persons elated to the student or have a personal relationship that poses a conflict of interest.
Thesis Proposal Submission
Students may submit their thesis proposal once they have 60 or fewer ECTS credits remaining, typically in their 3rd Semester. Proposal is submitted through the university’s online system.
Required components:
- Approval of the mentor and any co-mentors
- Thesis proposal (7-10 pages), including:
- Working title
- Research plan and activities
- Research problem and theoretical background
- Literature review
- Objectives and purpose
- Methods and research design
- Assumptions and limitations
- Expected results and contribution
- Draft table of contents
- Preliminary bibliography (min. 40 sources, over half are expected to be foreign and under 10 years old)
SAC reviews proposals for originality, relevance, and quality. They may request revisions, reject, or approve the submission. A final approval letter is issued.
Writing and Submitting the Thesis
Thesis may be submitted after all coursework is completed and with mentor approval.
Submission steps:
- Upload final version to the portal. Include:
– Proofreading certificate
– Statement of authorship
– Institutional consent if research involved an organization - The thesis undergoes a technical review and plagiarism check.
- If compliant, the program head appoints a Defense Committee.
- Students must submit a hardbound copy of the thesis and complete a Defense Registration Form before the defense.
Thesis Deadline and Changes
The thesis must be submitted within 12 months of proposal approval. Extension requests must be submitted at least 1 month before the deadline. If the thesis is not submitted within the extended time, the student forfeits the original topic and must repeat the process with a new proposal. Only one change of topic or mentor is allowed. Requests must be justified and approved by the SAC.
Thesis Defense Procedure
Defense Committee includes three members: a Chair (faculty), the mentor, and a third qualified member. The mentor may not serve as Chair. In case of disagreement, the Chair’s vote prevails. The defense is public and must occur within 30 days of committee approval. The student presents their thesis (max. 20 minutes), followed by a Q\&A session. Defenses may be held remotely online.
The committee evaluates:
- Difficulty and relevance of the topic
- Use of academic knowledge
- Originality and practical value
- Quality of the presentation and responses
If the defense is passed, the student is awarded a final grade (1–10 scale). If failed, one resubmission is allowed within 6 months. Serious violations (e.g., plagiarism) are addressed under the university’s disciplinary rules and may lead to degree revocation or student expulsion.
Graduation and Documentation
Upon successful defense, the student receives an official transcript and temporary certificate of graduation. The thesis will be submitted to the Alma Mater Repository and Cobiss database and publicly available. Requests for temporary restricted access to the thesis must be justified and approved, and may not exceed 3 years.
For forms, templates and detail rules, contact Student Office, visit the university’s online student system and AMEU Rules on Masters Thesis.
