Choosing a topic  

Choose one of the following paths and submit the corresponding proposal form: 

• Propose Your Own Topic: Prepare a proposal using this form, where you include a working title, research question, brief literature review, proposed methods. 

• Apply for a Listed Topic: Prepare a proposal using this form where you include your background, interest in the topic, and relevant skills. 

Submission process for confirming a topic 

• Email your proposal to ideas-office@wu.ac.at 

• Proposals are reviewed monthly (excluding semester breaks). 

• If shortlisted, you’ll be invited for a consultation. 

• Upon acceptance, your topic will be registered in the WU supervision database. 

Kickoff and planning 

After topic approval: 

• Submit a detailed outline including: 

  •  Title, motivation, research question 

  • Literature summary 

  • Methodology 

  • Thesis structure 

  •  Timeline with milestones 

• Schedule a kickoff meeting with your supervisor. 

Supervision guidelines 

• Plan 2–4 meetings (including kickoff). 

• Book meetings at least 5 working days in advance. 

• Share an agenda and draft materials ahead of time. 

• Send meeting minutes after each session. 

Timeline 

• Typical thesis duration: 3–6 months. 

• Supervision available for up to 4 months. 

• Schedule a final presentation at least 3 weeks before submission. 

Format and structure 

• Length: 7,000–10,000 words (main text), ~30–40 pages total. 

• Language: English 

• Format: Word or LaTeX (confirm with supervisor) 

• Templates available via IDEaS 

Required sections 

• Front matter:  

  • Declaration of authorship  

  • Title page 

  • Abstract (150–200 words) 

  • List of figures 

  • List of tables 

  • List of abbreviations 

• Main text: 

  • Introduction 

  • Background and motivation 

  • Literature review 

  • Methods 

  • Results 

  • Discussion 

  • Conclusion and outlook 

• Back matter:  

  • References (APA) 

  • Appendices (e.g., details on methods including interviews, models, or software, equations used, explanation of code and availability, AI related explanations) 

Special considerations 

• Code: Submit a GitLab repository link (check with your supervisors), with proper documentation including README and system requirements. 

• List of aids used: Follow WU guidelines and use WU templates for transparently listing the list of aids used. Generally, AI is allowed for editing and methods (with proper documentation and citations), not allowed for content generation.  

• References: At least 70% from peer-reviewed journals (preferably Q1 in Scimago). For non-academic sources, check with your supervisor.

Submission steps 

• Remind yourself of the bachelor thesis guidelines at WU. 

• Ensure that you have a last feedback loop before finalizing your work. 

• Submit via myWU  plagiarism check and by email directly to your supervisors (ZIP file with all materials). 

• Include estimated word count, README for code, and GitLab link. 

• Supervisor will grade within 15–30 working days. 

Evaluation criteria 

• Writing quality and structure. 

• Research depth and originality. 

• Methodological rigor. 

• Relevance and significance of findings. 

• Professionalism and adherence to deadlines. 

Beyond these, the standard rules apply for writing a Bachelor Thesis at WU. 

Additional notes 

• Workload: 10 ECTS = ~250 hours. 

• Awards: Outstanding theses may be nominated for the TALENTA award. 

Can I write my thesis in German? 

• We expect the thesis to be written in English. 

What is the cancellation policy on meetings? 

• Meetings booked without an agenda may be canceled 5 working days before the appointment. Please contact your (co-)supervisor as soon as possible if you cannot attend a meeting because of a medical reason or other justified emergency. 

What if I miss a deadline? 

• Contact your supervisor immediately to discuss possible solutions. 

Can I change my topic after approval? 

• Topic changes are generally not allowed after approval. Exceptions may be made in extraordinary circumstances. 

How can I contact my supervisor? 

• Email your primary supervisor directly or visit them during their office hours that they will share with you. Contact details are available on the IDEaS website. 

Where can I find the proposal forms and thesis templates? 

 Downloadable forms and templates are available on the IDEaS website

• Current list of topics 

• Proposal for your own topic

• Proposal for an IDEaS topic

• Word template for thesis submission 

• LaTeX template for thesis submission