What is a Thesis? Definition and Different Types

As the final hurdle in your bachelor's or master's degree, students must write a final thesis at the end to earn their desired academic degree. With this final thesis, future graduates demonstrate their knowledge of fundamental academic research methods.

General Definition of a Thesis

A thesis is understood to be an academic final thesis as part of a bachelor's or master's degree:

A bachelor's thesis (English: "bachelor thesis") is a subject-specific paper with which students demonstrate their ability to develop an independent topic using academic methodology within a given timeframe and scope.

• Scope: 30 to 80 pages
• Processing period: 3 to 4 months

Typically, a bachelor's thesis involves writing a small contribution to theoretical or empirical research, where the correct use of subject-specific research methods is in the foreground. As a rule, a topic is chosen from the substantive focus of the respective field of study.

 

A master's thesis (English: "master thesis") is an academically relevant research paper with which students must demonstrate the most important subject knowledge and the entire methodology of their field of study.

• Scope: 60 to 120 pages
• Processing period: 6 months

Typically, a master's thesis expects an independent contribution to research, in which, taking into account the current state of research, a complex problem is addressed in a solution-oriented manner using an appropriate research method.

The next higher level - after the bachelor's and master's thesis - is the Dissertation.