According to the examination regulations, a final thesis does not necessarily have to be completed at the very end of your studies, nor is a specific number of credit points (ECTS) formally required.

However, the supervising departments or professorships may expect you to have certain prior knowledge in order to successfully complete the thesis.

You can explore topics that interest you by visiting the websites of the Computer Science departments. These usually list current thesis topics or research areas suitable for final theses. Contact the department or a relevant staff member to discuss the process, requirements, necessary prior knowledge, and other details.

If you would like to propose your own topic or are considering writing your thesis externally (e.g. in cooperation with a company), please get in touch with a potential supervisor. The departmental websites also provide helpful information about the research interests of individual staff members, which can guide you in finding the right contact.

?

If you’re having trouble finding a suitable topic, feel free to reach out to the Computer Science academic advisory service or the chair of the examination board for your degree programme.

?

?

Final theses can also be completed externally, i.e. in collaboration with a company or research institute. In such cases, the topic must be individually agreed upon by the student, the external supervisor, and the internal first examiner. Additional steps are often required, such as signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

You can find potential topics on company websites, bulletin boards in the Computer Science building, and in some cases via the university departments.

Assessment follows the same process as for internal theses and is carried out by two internal reviewers from the university.

You should contact the relevant department 1–2 months before your intended start date for a written final thesis. For external theses, a lead time of 2–3 months is recommended.

?

Registration:
Before starting your thesis, you must register it officially. Registration forms (link) are available on the Examinations Office website. You’ll need to name your first examiner/supervisor, second examiner, and the thesis topic. The form must be signed by both you and your first examiner, then submitted to the Examinations Office.

• Bachelor’s thesis: 3-month writing period

• Master’s thesis: 6-month writing period

• Early submission is only possible after two-thirds?of the allotted writing time.

If you experience difficulties not caused by yourself, you can apply for an extension. Make sure to contact your supervisor and the chair of your examination board early in such cases!

?

Submission:
Formal requirements for submission—including the exact due date and the number of physical and digital copies—will be provided to you by the Examinations Office upon registration.

?

Grading Period:
According to the Examination Regulations §17 (1):

• Bachelor’s theses: 2 months correction period

• Master’s theses: 3 months correction period

If a colloquium (oral presentation) is required, it takes place during this correction period, often as part of a research seminar.

Written final theses in the Bachelor’s programmes are worth 12 to 15 ECTS credits, depending on the applicable examination regulations (please refer to the regulations relevant to your degree programme).

Written final theses in the Master’s programmes are worth 30 ECTS credits.

A colloquium (oral presentation) is only required for older Bachelor's programmes?(examination regulations up to and including 2016).

For newer Bachelor's programmes?(from 2018 onwards) as well as Master's programmes, the colloquium is no longer required.

Additional information about final theses and examination regulations can also be found on the Examinations Office?website.