Finance, Bachelor Thesis

The course is included in the sixth semester of the Bachelor’s Programme in Business and Economics for students majoring in financial economics. It is also offered as a single subject course.

Department of Business Administration

Department of Economics

To be eligible for the course 105 passed credits are required, of which at least 45 credits must be in Finance.

The aim of the course is for the student to conduct an independent scientific study of substantial scope, applying theories, models and concepts to empirical material.

Writing a thesis entails independently identifying and formulating a substantial and complex research question, and conducting the analysis within the given time frame. The work is based on the scientific foundations, methods, and current research questions of the field of financial economics.

The project results in a written academic thesis, which should demonstrate a scientific approach and be clearly structured and well written.

The course concludes with a seminar where the student defends their own thesis and acts as opponent on another group’s thesis.

The thesis is to be written jointly with another student. This rule is applied strictly, although exceptions may be made, for instance if an uneven number of students are enrolled in the course.

The choice of topic is made by the students in consultation with the supervisor.

The thesis must be written in English.

After passing the course, students shall be able to:

1. demonstrate the ability to identify, formulate and solve problems independently and to complete a thesis project within predetermined time frames,

2. search for, collect and evaluate information in order to formulate a relevant research question and theoretical points of departure,

3. argue for scientific assumptions made and methods chosen as well as identify and assess ethical aspects (if applicable) of his/her own research process,

4. apply financial economic methods and models,

5. present results in writing in a scientific manner, and

6. orally argue for the legitimacy of his/her results as well as interpret and analyse scientific results presented by others.

Lectures, supervision, method assistance and seminars. The seminars are compulsory.

Language of instruction: English

Objectives 1-5 are examined through the written thesis in combination with oral examination at the seminars.

Objective 6 is assessed through an oral defence of the student’s own thesis in response to opposition, and through the student’s own opposition to another group’s thesis.

The examination consists of a written thesis and participation in seminars where theses are presented, defended, and discussed. Opposition is carried out between student groups. Students are assessed orally through the defence of their own work as well as through the analysis and discussion of the work of other students.

A thesis that does not meet the requirements for a passing grade (A–E) may either be revised for re-assessment within two months after the end of the course, or be judged to be of such quality that an entirely new thesis must be written. The highest grade that can be awarded after revision is Sufficient (E). If no revision is submitted within the prescribed time, or if the revised thesis still fails to meet the requirements for a passing grade, the grade Fail (F) is awarded. A revised thesis is not to be defended or reviewed in a seminar.

Absence from compulsory course components may, following a decision by the examiner, be compensated through alternative assignments assessed as equivalent to the original components.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU Students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D),Sufficient (E) and Fail (F).

To be awarded a passing grade for the course, all objectives must be fulfilled. This requires that the student has completed and received a pass on all compulsory components: active participation in the seminars, a passing grade on the thesis, a passed defence and opposition, and, where applicable, a pass on the Sustainability Day.

Grade (Definition) Characteristic:
A (Excellent) A distinguished result that is excellent with regard to theoretical depth, data collection, choice of method and use of financial method, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought. The time planning for the thesis has been carried out independently and followed.

B (Very good) A very good result with regard to theoretical depth, data collection, choice of method and use of financial method, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought. The time planning for the thesis has been carried out independently and followed.

C (Good) The result is of a good standard with regard to theoretical depth, data collection, choice of method and use of financial method, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought and lives up to expectations. Time planning for the thesis has been completed and followed.

D (Satisfactory) The result is of a satisfactory standard with regard to theoretical depth, data collection, choice of method and use of financial method, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought. Time planning for the thesis has been completed and followed.

E (Sufficient) The result satisfies the minimum requirements with regard to theoretical depth, data collection, choice of method and use of financial method, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought, but not more. The thesis work has followed established timelines, however, the timelines may have changed during the course of the work.

F (Fail) The result does not meet the minimum requirements with regard to theoretical depth, data collection, choice of method and use of financial method, practical relevance, analytical ability and independent thought.

After completion of the course, a course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the procedures established for the Bachelor's Programme in Business and Economics. The results of the evaluation, together with any resulting changes to the course, will be communicated to the students who participated in the evaluation as well as to those enrolled in the subsequent offering of the course.

The School of Business, Economics and Law has a policy regarding the use of generative AI and similar tools. The application of this policy, together with course-specific instructions for the course, is published on the course’s learning platform.