2015-2016 – FEB Brussels
Master’s thesis
MIBEM
Information Session - September 2015
Introduction
Master thesis (MT) is mandatory
• Higher Education Structural Decree (2003):
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Each Master programme in Flanders must include a "Master thesis". In his
Master thesis the student shall prove his critical & analytical abilities (i.e.
academic competencies)
• The MT is a "subject", a "course" in the Master year
o
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Master thesis is worth 15 credits
+ 3 credits for Research Proposal MT (prep programme)
• The MT is subject to the Education and Exam Regulations!
• Student has to receive a mark of at least 10/20 for the Master
thesis
What is the concept of the FEB Brussels MT about?
• Research assignment carried out independently by the student
• Topic: depending on the degree programme, related to
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(business) economics
Research question: specific definition of subject
(possibly in collaboration with company)
Content supervised by the FEB Brussels supervisor
Methodologically sound approach to research
Supporting courses: Research proposal
• Mandatory output by student (= exam) consists of:
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Written report (= work) of an academic nature (format, structure,
conclusions)
Student defends his work orally before a FEB Brussels jury
MT types and topics (content)
internally organised Master thesis
 student carries out research at the request of an internal
client = FEB Brussels supervisor
"externally" organised Master thesis: Company project
student conducts research at the request of an Belgian
organisation/company= external client
MT types and topics (content)
GENERAL
• (Business) economics approach required
• Topic can be linked to prior education
• International dimension is obligatory!
• 2 Output formats: classic "report" or scientific "article" (paper)
• Language: EN mandatory for text and oral defence
Information on the Master Thesis
• Starting point: via Toledo Community “Start-up your master
thesis”
o Access and registration:
https://feb.kuleuven.be/eng/brussels/Students/masterstheses
• If you already have the Master Thesis in your ISP: Toledo Bcourse “Masterproef – Master’s Thesis FEB”
o Automatic access via ISP!
• Master Thesis Regulations 2015-2016: READ IT!
o Additional information to ECTS card Master Thesis
o Toledo B-course
Internally organised Master
thesis (IOMT)
What is an IOMT?
• Context:
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A master’s thesis which is completely embedded in the research of an
FEB Brussels lecturer or researcher (supervisor).
This supervisor acts as "internal client" for the research project. There is no official collaboration
with an external partner (company or organisation)
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Deals only with a (business) economic research question
Is mainly carried out through "desk research"
This type is open to all students from all degree programmes/graduation
subjects
• Method :
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literature review completed with own empirical research by the student,
for example. survey, interviews, observations ...
Comparison of several companies/industries, company cases by way of
illustration are allowed
Why an IOMT?
• This type of Master’s thesis usually builds on earlier research,
and/or forms in its turn the start of follow-up research (by a
next generation students)
• Usually there is a pretty strong control by the supervisor of data,
approach and methodology to be used
Cons:
• less practice-oriented than an externally organised Master’s
thesis
• offers no real business experience
Examples
• How CSR is bio?
• Is there a relationship between the characteristics of the Board
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of Directors and the management control systems at Belgian
SMEs?
The economic growth in China: cause and competitiveness
Emotional management as a differentiator for client retention
and customer loyalty
The EU's response to the financial crisis
A study on the characteristics of companies that are the target
of a management buy out
The future of the port of Antwerp
Do workaholics perform better?
Selecting an IOMT?
2 possibilities:
• Through the FEB Brussels list/online search interface
(= most preferred)
• The student submits his own title proposal to the supervisor for
acceptance
Through FEB Brussels list
• See Toledo Community “Opstart Masterproef – Start Up your
Master’s thesis’
• Titles proposed by supervisors can be consulted via a search
interface
o various search entries (per supervisor, degree programme,
specialisation)
o each title proposal comes with an explanation made available
by the supervisor
o supervisor sheet (with contact information)
Through FEB Brussels list (2)
The FEB Brussels list is only available during start-up rounds!
o End of August – 7 October 2015 (obligatory for MIBEM
Master’s thesis 2015-2016)
o 19 October – 13 November 2015
(extra for prep MIBEM for the Master’s thesis 2016-2017)
o Spring 2016 (exact date tbc >> for the Master’s thesis 20162017)
Observations:
o Title proposals are strictly tied to a specific supervisor: you
cannot choose a certain supervisor's title and develop under
the supervision of another!
The student's own proposal
1) Screen the research expertise of the supervisors and
select most suitable supervisor
2) Check if the supervisor still has slots available (if fully booked, don't
email!))
3) If available: contact supervisor and motivate your
proposal
4) If the supervisor accepts, he will register the student's
name and working title for acceptance
Externally organised MT:
Company project
What is an externally organised MT?
• A Master’s thesis in a contractual partnership with a company
• Objective: solve a real problem from the work field using an
academically relevant research method
• Always confidential (obligation of secrecy for student,
guaranteed in project agreement)
• Focus on research – no internship
(internship is rather 'working' in the company)
Why an externally organised MT?
• Not just theory, but real 'action' in a business environment
• You can apply your knowledge to a real business situation
• Consequently, you will contribute to innovative ideas within the
company
• You acquire knowledge in your particular field of study
• You will develop skills that are important on the labour market
• A Company Project is a unique selling point on your résumé and
during a job interview
Examples MIBEM
• Training and technical advice in the Flemish electrical sector: a
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qualitative study at the installers (Unizo)
Financing Plan for Groenendaal Recreational Site (RSG)
Tendencies on energy saving in the lightning industry (Antwerp
Business Center)
Market survey digital mammography in China (BARCO)
Commercialisation of new Green Roofs (Greenskin)
Business model for traffic information in a free of charge
environment (ARC Europe)
Looking for a Company Project?
2 possibilities:
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Through FEB Brussels list
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The student finds himself a company as well as a project
• Not for new incoming students who are writing their Master’s thesis in 2015-2016.
This is meant for students who are writing their master thesis in 2016-2017!
FEB Brussels project list
• Through the FEB Brussels list search interface :
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See Toledo Community “Opstart .. Start Up”
During specific start up rounds
Already screened project proposals + supervisor sheet
Possibility to download project proposal for more details on the project
• If interested in a project proposal:
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Notify the supervisor you are interested in a particular project proposal (description of prior
knowledge / motivation through email - no more than 10 lines)
The supervisor will select the candidate for the project (possibly in consultation with
company)
If you are selected: you must send an email to els.vandenbosch@kuleuven.be
Your name is then linked to the project proposal = official registration
The project proposal is labelled "assigned" and is no longer available for other students
Students looking for project themselves (1)
• Contact your company of choice yourself and write a project proposal
together:
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This project proposal contains:
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A research question that is sufficiently concrete and complex
That can be carried out in an academically sound way
Within one academic year
a co-supervisor from the company to coach you until the defence
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Advantage: 100% your own field of interest and sector
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Remarks:
• Difficult to write a project proposal from scratch
• Internal screening of subject (sometimes adjustments necessary) >> submit your project
proposal until 23/11/2015 (for a master’s thesis in 2016-2017 and a Research Proposal in
2015-2016 about the same topic) or in Spring 2015 for MT in 2016-2017
THEREFORE: Possibility to obtain advice from the Business Expertise Center:
christel.claeys@kuleuven.be
Student looks for a project himself (2)
• The student downloads a blank 'project proposal' (ToledoCommunity or via E. van den Bosch)
• Student & company together write a project & fill out the form
(incl. name of student whose proposal it is!)
• Company sends completed form through email to:
els.vandenbosch@kuleuven.be
Regulation and more information on the
Master thesis
More information? In Toledo!
• Toledo B-Course “Masterproef-Master’s Thesis FEB Brussel”, i.e.:
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ECTS + Regulations incl. all deadlines (= time path)!
Forms (adjustments - defence registration, ..)
Templates (templates for cover, summary, article format ..)
Submission of MT: practical details (what, where, when..) and
upload of your digital version
Announcements …
Deadline registration MT
• MIBEM: 7 October 2015
for all students that intend to defend their MT in 2016
(January, June or September session).
o This is also the deadline for finalising your ISP incl. MTcourse!
o This is also the deadline for students who restart/continue
their Master’s thesis
• Prep MIBEM: Research proposal Course
o Course taught during fall 2015
o Search & Start up your Master’s thesis via this course
Master Thesis Fair
• Meet professors to discuss possible topics.
• List of who will come on:
https://feb.kuleuven.be/eng/brussels/Students/masterstheses
• Tuesday 29 September 12:30-13:30 ROOM 2107
• Come prepared!
Feedback sessions
• What?
Possibility to present the progress of your Master Thesis to
an independent jury of MIBEM lecturers for additional
feedback.
• Only for students who have MT in their ISP
• 3x/year. Students are invited via Toledo.
• Not obligatory
Questions ...?
Please, consult the specific information on Toledo first!
For any additional questions:
Carla Morlion (internally organised MT + general questions)
T’Serclaes – room B05-22
Tel 02 609 18 05 -- carla.morlion@kuleuven.be
Els van den Bosch (externally organised MT – Company projects)
T'Serclaes – room B06-14
tel 02 609 18 04 -- Els.vandenbosch@kuleuven.be