Master’s Thesis in Business Communication: Guidelines for Students

Writing your Master’s thesis represents a major step in your academic journey. During this process, you will work closely with a supervisor of your choice from the department, develop your own research project, and participate in the Master’s thesis colloquium. This web page outlines the steps, requirements, and support available to help you succeed.

  • General Procedure and steps to follow

    Students propose a thesis topic and select a supervisor from among the department’s professors and qualified lecturers. Specifically, main steps to follow include:

    A. Confirm your Eligibility

    You must have successfully completed at least one MA-level seminar and/or

    Finished a methods course (either prior to admissions or during your pre-master personalized program).

    B. Choose your Supervisor

    Review the list of DCM and faculty members and their research areas. If you wish to choose a supervisor from another SES faculty member, please refer to the FAQ section below for the procedure.

    Think at the course or seminar you liked the most

    Reach out to your preferred supervisor to discuss your research interests and confirm their availability.

    Some supervisors may require you to have attended their seminar, while others accept students based on proposals or official project lists.

    Many students choose their supervisor based on the seminar paper they have already written. This offers several advantages: you can further explore a topic that interests you, build upon a research project you loved, and work with a professor whose expectations and working style you are already familiar with.

    C. Define your Research Topic

    You can, propose your own idea (with a clear research question and theoretical framework); alternatively, you can select a topic from official project lists (available from certain supervisors or the department).

    Ensure your topic aligns with the supervisor’s field of expertise.

  • Master’s Thesis Colloquium

    Participation in the Master’s thesis colloquium is mandatory for all students of the MA in Business Communication.

    The colloquium is held weekly to ensure all students have the opportunity to meet with their supervisor. However, you are not required to attend every session. You must attend the specific sessions mandated by your supervisor’s syllabus, where you will present your work and receive feedback at key stages of your thesis project.

    Successful participation grants 3 ECTS credits, which add to the 27 ECTS  of the written work (for a total of 30 ECTS).

    Typical colloquium stages :
    (please refer to teach supervisor syllabus for details and unique steps)

    Stage 1: Initial idea & proposal discussion (Thesis step A)

    Stage 2: Research question & concept presentation (Thesis step B)

    Stage 3: Methods and tools presentation (Thesis step C)

    Once the colloquium has ended you will work individually on data collection, data analysis and write your thesis ( Thesis step D - individual work)

    Your supervisor will outline the precise colloquium structure; some stages may differ slightly by supervisor. Important: You may only collect data after your methodology is approved during the colloquium. Make sure you discuss your datacollection with your supervisor.

    How supervision takes place during colloquium

    • Students must proactively schedule appointments with their supervisors (via email, Moodle, or supervisor’s sign-up platform).
    • Supervisors provide feedback mainly during designated colloquium sessions.
    • Independent work and self-management are key components; supervision outside the colloquium or outside the semester may be limited.
  • Thesis formal requirements, Submission and Administrative Steps

    Theses must be written according to departmental guidelines (length, formatting, structure). See full details here (Make sure you read carefully the guideline for style)

    Administrative steps include:

    • Colloquium Validation: You must validate your participation in the colloquium via MyUnifr. Be sure to specify the language (EN / FR / GER / IT) in which you will write and present your thesis, according to your chosen supervisor's language options.
    • Thesis Proposal Validation: Once your supervisor has approved your thesis proposal, you and your supervisor must complete and sign the official Master’s Thesis Registration DCM Form. This form should then be submitted to the DCM department secretariat.
    • Start of the Six-Month Thesis Period: The six-month period allowed for writing your MA thesis in Business Communication starts from the date you officially register your thesis title—this date is recorded on the form you submit to the DCM secretariat .
    • Thesis Submission Deadline: You must submit your final thesis within six months of the official registration date.
    • Submission Procedure: To submit your final thesis, follow all instructions in the DCM and SES Written Work Guidelines, including proper file naming (see links above).

    Final Administrative Steps: Make sure you complete all required administrative steps, such as uploading your thesis to myUnifr and paying any necessary fees, according to the departmental and faculty guidelines. Some professors require to upload the digital version of the thesis in the moodle space so that the antiplagiarism software checks your thesis. Make sure you read the syllabus of each supervisor carefully for these instructions.

  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    Q: When should I start looking for a supervisor? A: It’s best to start identifying and contacting potential supervisors between the second and third s semester of your Master’s program, or as soon as you complete the eligibility requirements.

    Q: Can I choose any supervisor? A: Yes, provided the supervisor agrees and your topic falls within their field.

    Q: What if I haven’t attended a seminar with my chosen supervisor? A: Be prepared to present a well-formulated research idea or select from proposed topics.

    Q: Can I write my thesis in English, French, or German (or eventually Italian)? A: Yes. The thesis can typically be written in any of the teaching languages of the program, depending on your supervisor’s and the department’s language policies. Always confirm language options with your chosen supervisor.

    Q: What if my first choice of supervisor is not available? A: Consult other potential supervisors whose expertise matches your interests. The conseillère aux études  can provide advice if you’re unsure whom to contact.

    Q: When should I register my thesis title? A: After your supervisor agrees and your proposal passes the colloquium assessment.

    Q: Where can I find official guidelines and forms? A: On DCM Guidelines for Written Work or on the supervisor moodle pate

    Q: Can I change my thesis topic once it’s started? A: Small adjustments are common, but major changes may require re-approval from your supervisor and potentially re-registering your thesis topic. Discuss any changes as early as possible.

    Q: How much time do I have to complete my thesis? A: You have up to six months from the date your thesis title is officially registered. Deadlines might vary in exceptional cases; It is possible to finish the thesis before the six months are completed, but not after.

    Q: Are there fixed deadlines for submitting the thesis? A: No universal date, but your final submission deadline depends on when you register your thesis. However, submitting after certain dates (e.g., start of Autumn semester) may require you to pay the next semester’s fees.

    Q: Can I have more than one supervisor (co-supervision)? A:  f you wish to write your thesis under the supervision of a professor who is not listed among the DCM faculty (for example, a professor from another department within SES), you are required to find a second co-supervisor from the DCM. The co-supervisor’s role is to certify that your thesis project has communication as its central theme. Please consult the official guidelines for the MA in Business Communication for detailed rules regarding co-supervision, thesis format, and procedures. Co-supervision is only possible if both supervisors agree and your research topic lies at the intersection of their areas of expertise. You must discuss your intended supervision arrangement with both professors and obtain approval from the department.

    Q: What support is available during the individual work period? A: In addition to your supervisor’s guidance during colloquium sessions, methodology tutors (for qualitative and quantitative methods) are available by appointment (one appointment only). On a base by case basis, depending on the thesis, one additional final meeting is provided by the supervisor e.Please make sure you clarify with your chosen supervisor whether they provide this support

    Q: Can I use data I collected for a previous course or research? A: The primary data for your Master’s thesis should be original and collected after your methodology has been approved by your supervisor in the colloquium. Using existing data (e.g. from  your own seminar paper) requires prior approval.

    Q: What happens if I don’t finish within six months? A: You must inform your supervisor as soon as possible. Extensions are rare and subject to approval; you may also have to pay additional tuition fees if the exention requires to finish the thesis in a new semster.

    Q: What if I need to take a break (leave of absence) during the thesis? A: Speak immediately with your supervisor and contact the department’s administrative office to discuss formal procedures.

    Q: Can I work on my thesis while doing an internship or working part-time? A: Yes, but it’s recommended to plan your time carefully to meet deadlines, as thesis work requires significant independent effort. In particulart it is recommended to use the colloquium sessions smartly, and avoid to only ask to be tutored as the end of the colloquium season.

    Q: How is my thesis graded? A: Your supervisor evaluates the thesis using departmental criteria related to research quality, methodology, writing and analysis. Sometimes, a second reader or examiner may also review your work. More details are provided in the syllabus of each supervisor.

    Q: Must I defend my thesis orally? A:  At the MA in busienss communication you are not required to defend your thesis orally.

    Q: What should I do if I face unexpected difficulties during individual work period? A: Make use of peer and tutor support (one meeting) for methodological issues. For administrative concerns about deposit, contact the student support services. For any other concern contact your supervisor.

    Q: Where do I find templates and formatting guidelines? A: Templates and updated formatting guidelines are available on DCM Guidelines for Written Work.Your supervisor may provide additional instructions.

For further questions, contact:

  • Your supervisor (see  above academic staff list validated to follow MA thesis at the MA in business communication
  • Conseillère aux études: Florence Van Hove : florence.vanhove@unifr.ch

 

Good luck and enjoy your research journey!