Description
The MA thesis (research) is based on original research and makes substantial use of primary material and professional literature. It is written in English, is up to 25.000-30.000 words in length (including footnotes and bibliography), and reflects the scholarly virtues of originality, focus and concision. The thesis must show the student’s ability to conduct original research under supervision, and to make a contribution to scholarship in a way that inspires confidence in his/her ability to prepare written reports of good quality.
The thesis is supervised by a staff member of one of the Departments involved in the ResMA Classics and Ancient Near Eastern Civilisations programme possessing the appropriate expertise in the field addressed in the thesis. Formally, the supervisor is appointed by the Board of Examiners. Students must fill out a form to request the Board of Examiners to appoint a supervisor. In this form they may indicate their preferred supervisor(s). Students can download the form the programme website or ask the coordinator of studies for a copy.
The official regulations regarding the thesis of the Research Master are available as attachments to the Teaching and Examination Regulations
Time path
For students planning to graduate in August, the deadline for handing in the final version of their MA thesis is the 15th of August, after which the first reader (in general the supervisor) and the second reader can assess it. This allows for sufficient time to officially graduate on 31 August (ceremony in October).
For students planning to graduate in January, the deadline for handing in the final version of their MA thesis is the 15th of January, after which the first reader (in general the supervisor) and the second reader can assess it. This allows for sufficient time to officially graduate on 31 January (ceremony in March).
Students are advised to discuss the actual time path with their supervisor as early as possible. Supervisors may have plans for research and may not always be available during the periods when no classes are taught.
Mode of instruction
Individual study
Contact information
For questions concerning this component of the programme please contact the coordinators of studies of your specialisation track. E-mail: clanec@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
J.K. Bosscher MA:
Tracks: Classics, New Testament and Early Christian Studies
dr. M.F.J. Baasten:
Tracks Assyriology, Egyptology, Hebrew Bible Studies
Remarks
Individual graduation ceremonies are possible. Please contact the coordinator of studies of your specialisation track.
If students want to receive their diploma (i.e. the actual paper) before leaving at the end of August, they must officially graduate by 1 August. The time path accordingly shifts by one month.