MITRA4095 – Master's thesis in Modern International and Transnational History

Course content

The master’s thesis is an independent research project within the field of modern international and transnational history. Students apply for and are appointed a supervisor from the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History in their second semester and discuss possible topics as part of the application process. The thesis must depart from a clear research question, pursue a coherent argument and rest on profound empirical and multi-archival research, utilizing advanced historiographical methodology.

Learning outcome

After you have taken this course you are expected to have:

  • Demonstarted your ability to develop a research question, create a research design, choose adequate methods, and answer the research question methodically within the given time frame
  • Shown the ability to process and critically assess large amounts of primary source material while working with historical archives
  • Conducted an independent research project within international and transnational history, positioned it within the current historiographical debates, and engaged with relevant theoretical approaches within the broader field of inquiry
  • Presented your results according to academic norms of history writing and demonstrated the ability to use adequate and accessible language

Admission to the course

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.

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

This course is only for students who are admitted to the Master's Programme Modern International and Transnational History (master).

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Admission to the masters programme Modern International and Transnational History (master) and passing grades in the compulsory courses at least the semester prior:

Teaching

Students will be given primarily individual or group supervision. Collective academic guidance is provided in the Research Writing and Training in History courses I, II, and III, which must be completed before starting the thesis.

All students will apply for an academic supervisor in their second semester. The application deadline is primo February. For more information, see?applying for a supervisor.

Compulsory assignment:

To be able to hand in your master's thesis you will have to fill out the information form.

Deadlines:

Spring semester: March 1

Autumn semester: October 1

The information form must contain a synopsis of the thesis. Additionally, you have to inform your supervisor that you intend to hand in the master's thesis in the current semester.

Examination

Formal requirements:

The thesis must be between 40 and 50 pages, notes included. Front page, index, attachments, appendix and/or bibliography are not included in the word count.

The thesis will be assessed by one internal and one external examiner.

Please ensure that you read all the relevant information about formal requirements and how to hand in your thesis by following the link to the information that can be found on the webpages for?Master Thesis in Modern International and Transnational History. Make sure you do this early in the semester.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Apr. 13, 2026 12:31:55 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
30
Teaching
Spring and autumn
Examination
Spring and autumn
Teaching language
English

Contact

Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History