Final Thesis Supervisor and Topic

As part of your studies, you will be required to complete a final thesis – a bachelor's thesis in undergraduate studies, and a master's or doctoral thesis in graduate and doctoral studies. In consecutive master's studies, this is referred to as a master's thesis, and in doctoral studies as a doctoral dissertation. The completion and successful defense of the final thesis is typically one of the requirements for completing your studies and obtaining a university diploma. Therefore, it is important to give it the appropriate attention.

The crucial questions you will need to address before preparing your final thesis are the selection of a supervisor and the thesis topic itself.

The thesis supervisor is the person who oversees your thesis preparation and assists you with their advice to ensure its successful completion. With your supervisor, you will consult on the goals and purpose of your thesis, the content, and specific text formulations. They can help you choose the appropriate methodology and literature related to your topic. However, the student is responsible for the final form of the thesis! We do not recommend submitting your thesis for defense without the supervisor's approval. Therefore, it is very important for your cooperation that you and your supervisor have a good understanding of each other.

A thesis supervisor can be any internal (faculty) or external academic or scientific worker; often, for example, from the Academy of Sciences, the National Institute of Mental Health (NUDZ), BIOCEV, the National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ), or other scientific institutions or universities. However, the final thesis must be prepared within the study program you are studying, at the corresponding department/institute. When choosing an external supervisor, it is advisable to discuss their qualifications with the guarantor of your study program. It is also important to acquaint an external supervisor with the formal requirements for the final thesis that apply at your department/institute.

Select your supervisor carefully. First, consider whether their expertise aligns with your areas of interest. Ask other students about their personal experiences and satisfaction under their guidance. However, keep in mind that not everyone is suited to the same supervisory style. It is a good idea to agree at the beginning of your collaboration with a potential supervisor on how the thesis preparation will proceed. A good supervisor can inspire you to engage deeply with the topic and teach you a lot.

Choosing the topic of your final thesis is just as important as choosing your supervisor. It is much easier to write about something you enjoy. Teachers list suggested thesis topics, which anyone can sign up for – these can be found in the SIS application under "Thesis Topics" (Selection of a thesis). Here, you can also search by study program, supervisor's name, or department/institute. Teachers can also, upon agreement with the student, create a topic tailored to the student's interests, possibly aligned with a planned or ongoing research project. It is best to arrange a consultation with a potential supervisor to discuss which topics they focus on, what their field of expertise is, whether they are currently involved in a scientific project, their work habits, and how they guide students in preparing their theses, etc.

Although the study plan anticipates that you will prepare your final thesis in your final year of study, it is advisable to choose a supervisor and a thesis topic earlier, ideally in your second year. Few supervisors will refuse a motivated student who wants to get involved in real research earlier. Your initiative is unlimited.

When preparing your final thesis, you must adhere to basic rules and deadlines (e.g., registration for the final thesis). The rules and other instructions for preparing final theses can be found in the guidelines on the study department's website or in the internal guidelines of the relevant department/institute on their website. Important dates are always listed in the current academic year calendar.