SAS4691 – Master's Thesis in South Asia Culture and Society

The writing of the thesis provides students with training in developing research projects from an original idea to a fully completed research report in the form of a master’s thesis. An important aim of the thesis work is to develop the students’ ability to critically and independently assess source material in accordance with relevant theories. Other learning outcomes are:

• The ability to formulate a research question and structure a thesis in a way that directly addresses the original question
• The ability to produce, gather and analyze empirical material
• The ability to use scientific research methods
• The ability to produce longer, more substantial academic texts

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

Admission to the MA programme option South Asian Culture and Society

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

The teaching consists of seminars and supervision throughout the semester. Academic supervision for the master’s thesis is mandatory, and you will receive up to 9 hours of individual supervision. Supervisors are assigned by the department in connection with the course MES4000 where the students develop their project description.

Compulsory activities

• Submission of a draft of the thesis halfway through the semester
• Compulsory attendance: You must attend 5 out of 9 scheduled supervision appointments.

Supervision is arranged directly between you and your supervisor.

The approved compulsory activity remains valid for the two following semesters in which the course is offered. However, exceptions may arise if the course undergoes changes in its assessment format, teaching, or other significant modifications.

All compulsory activities must be approved to qualify for the exam. It is your responsibility to verify that you have obtained approval for all compulsory activities.

Absence from compulsory activities:

• Here you will find information about compulsory activities at the Department of Culture, Religion, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

It is important that you familiarize yourself with the rules regarding absence from compulsory activities, to prevent being excluded from teaching and losing your eligibility to take the exam.

More information on compulsory activities at the University of Oslo:

• Common guidelines relating to compulsory activities - University of Oslo (uio.no)

Access to teaching

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Master thesis

1. Submission of master thesis in Inspera: see guides for digital exams
2. Register information about your thesis in the Norwegian Research Information Repository (NVA) in Inspera, following the instructions on the following page: Submit your master's thesis in Inspera
3. Fill in and submit the form Submission of thesis/Issuance of Diplom.

The course will be assessed through a written master’s thesis of 35-50 pages. One standard page is approximately 2300 characters without spaces, including references. The front page, bibliography and appendixes are not included in the page count.

You will find guidelines for submission in DUO and submitting the online form on this page:

• Guidelines for Submission of a Master's Thesis at IKOS

The examination committee consists of an external and an internal examiner (who has not been the student's supervisor).

You are personally responsible for familiarizing yourself with the requirements and deadlines for the exam.

All compulsory activities must be completed and approved in order to take the exam.

You can find more information about the exam on the semester page of the course.