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Formal requirements

The scope of the master's thesis

  • The scope of the master's thesis is a maximum of 224,000 characters (incl. blanks).
  • The scope includes notes, tables and figures, but does not include front page, table of contents, bibliography, appendices or the abstract.
  • The number of characters incl. blanks must be stated on the front page.
  • A master's thesis that exceeds the prescribed scope will be rejected.
     

Writing master's thesis in a group

It is possible to write your master's thesis in a group with fellow students. In this case, you must make sure that you hand in your thesis in a form that enables individual assessment. In other words, you must state who has written each individual section in the thesis. The group is able to write the introduction and the conclusion together.

  • The scope of the thesis in increased by 50 % by each student. For two students this corresponds to a maximum of 336,000 characters (incl. blanks).
  • The number of characters incl. blanks must be stated on the front page.
  • A master's thesis that exceeds the prescribed scope or which does not allow for individual assessment will be rejected.

Abstract

The master's thesis must be supplemented by an abstract.

  • The scope of the abstract is max. 2,800 characters (correspondig to one page), and the title of the thesis must be clearly stated in the abstract.
  • The abstract must be included in the thesis after the table of contents and before the main text.
  • For a master's thesis written in English, the abstract can be in either English or Danish.
    For a master's thesis written in Danish, the abstract must always be in English.
  • Students who wish to write their master's thesis in another language than Danish, English, Swedish or Norwegian must apply for an exemption with the Board of Studies.

Use of AI

From the summer exams 2024, you are allowed to use tools based on generative artificial intelligence in this type of exam assignment.

You must complete a declaration regardless of whether you have used AI or not
When you submit your exam assignment, you must also submit a declaration of your use of generative AI, so that it appears whether you have used generative AI or not. If you have used generic artificial intelligence, you must specify how in the declaration.

How to complete the declaration

  • You will receive a template for the declaration in WISEflow.
  • In the template, you must describe how you have used generic artificial intelligence, including your prompting method. For example if you have used genreic AU in the preparation of the assignment, used it for asking questions and seeking information, received feedback and criticism on your text, proofreading, etc.
  • If you have not used AI, you can write: "Generative AI has not been used in the making of this exam paper".
  • Upload your declaration as an appendix to your assignment in WISEflow.

Remember to cite the source and avoid plagiarism
If you fail to specify how you have used generic AI in the assignment, it will be regarded as cheating at exams. In order to avoid plagiarism, we recommend that you, for example, learn how to create references to ChatGPT.

Contact
If you have any questions regarding the declaration, please contact your supervisor.

Read more about GAI and exams at AU Studypedia.

Front page, tabels and figures, appendices and layout

  • There are no formal requirements regarding spacing, margins, font, header or footer. However the layout of the thesis must be legible.
  • Headers and footers are not counted in the total number of characters.
  • Tables and figures are counted in the total number of characters. It is your own responsibility to count all characters (incl. blanks) in both tables and figures even when these are inserted as images in the text (and thus are not automatically counted by Word).  
  • The front page must include your name, student number, name of advisor and the thesis title. The total number of characters (incl. blanks) must also be stated. Please also note if your Master's thesis is confidential.
  • Appendices: As appendices, you can submit data files and other documentation of methodological choices that do not count towards the character limit. The course lecturer will specify which type of documentation is required in the exam in question. Content that is to be assessed must be included in the assignment itself. The appendices will only be used to check methodological documentation in case of doubt.
Revised 16.09.2024
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