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• At the Department of Design, the thesis process is structured in two thesis paths: Standard and Intensive. The path includes pre-defined steps and sets presentation and submission deadlines that each student follows.
• Standard path starts in September, and the student submits their thesis at the end of May. In the standard path, the student works on the thesis part-time and takes courses part-time. As a rule of thumb, most students should do the standard path.
• Intensive path starts in January, and the student submits their thesis at the end of July. In the intensive path, the student works on the thesis full time, and only small, thesis-related courses such as Academic Writing are recommended. The intensive path is intended for students who go on exchange, do an internship, or participate in an intensive minor in the fall of their second year of studies.

1) Starting your thesis: Enroll in the MUO-E0018 Thesis Seminar course (either Standard or Intensive).

2) Thesis Proposal: In the thesis seminar, you develop and present a Thesis Proposal, which is a brief description of your planned thesis project. 

3) Getting the supervisor: The thesis supervisor is confirmed after the Thesis Proposal presentations based on the thesis topic and the process defined in your study program/major.

4) Topic approval and advisors: The supervisor approves the thesis topic and thesis advisor/advisors. The supervisor ensures the thesis topic aligns with the requirements and is feasible in the given timeframe.

5) Part 1: Once the supervisor, topic, and advisors have been approved, you work for thesis Part 1, which consists of a proper thesis plan (including timeline) and conceptual framework. Once submitted, the supervisor approves thesis Part 1, which awards 10 ects.

6) Part 2: You work on the thesis as planned, supported by the advisor(s). You complete Part 2, which includes methods, preliminary results, and production. Once submitted, the supervisor approves Part 2, which awards 10 ects.

7) Part 3 and the presentation: You work to complete the thesis and submit the almost-ready thesis draft and prepare for an oral presentation. During or after the thesis Part 3 presentations you get feedback and advice from the faculty, and the supervisor gives the permission to submit (unless there are serious shortcomings). 

8) Preparing the final thesis submission: You finalise the thesis according to the given feedback. You complete an originality check of the manuscript in Turnitin. Typically, the thesis advisor checks the report. 

9) Final thesis submission: You submit the final thesis document in the MyStudies system before the submission deadline. By submitting the thesis, you start the examination process.  

10) Examination: The thesis is evaluated using the ARTS MA Thesis Guide 2022 evaluation criteria. The abstract of the thesis serves as the maturity test, which is approved by the supervisor. Typically, the supervisor is one of the examiners; the other examiner can be another faculty member or an external expert from the field of study. The thesis is graded by the Programme Committee based on the examiners' statement in the next committee meeting after the hand-in deadline.

10) Graduation: You check that your personal study plan in SISU is up to date and apply for graduation.

Standard Path 2025-2026

Intensive Path spring 2026

Supplementary Path

Fall 2025

Fall 2026

ARTS graduates have a ceremony twice a year, in January (June - November graduates) and June (December - May graduates). The next graduation ceremony will be held on 16th June 2026.