Writing Academic Papers and Thesis Information

All papers must be handed in together with the Submission Sheet. All papers must also have:

• a title page containing the following information: University of Bern, Department of English; title of the paper; name of the supervisor; type of paper (BA/MA, seminar paper, etc.); author’s full name, address, email and matriculation number; and the date;
• a Table of Contents;
• a References / Works Cited section.

Manual for Writing Papers

Please also consult the department’s Manual for Writing Research Papers, which helps you with issues of structure, planning and other technical matters.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is one of the most flagrant violations of academic standards. The consequences of plagiarism are accordingly drastic. Please read about plagiarism and its consequences in the document What is Plagiarism.

"What is Plagiarism" includes the plagiarism statement you must sign and turn in with every paper. The plagiarism declaration is part of the Submission Sheet to be handed in with all assessed work.

Generative AI

Recent years have led to the development of "generative digital tools": computer programs based on artificial intelligence (AI) that produce text, images, videos, or code based on user input. It is vital that students learn how to handle these tools sensibly, responsibly, and critically. This involves an awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of AI tools, of academic integrity, and of legal parameters. Academic writing skills will continue to be essential: comprehensive subject knowledge, along with familiarity with academic methods and style are needed to be able to critically evaluate and improve the output of AI.

Students may not under any circumstances use generative AI tools in Core Curriculum Courses or in the courses of the Language Module, except for the authorized explorations that will take place in class to build and improve critical AI literacy. Students in classes beyond the Core Curriculum Courses and the Language Module are permitted to use generative AI under specific conditions (illustrated in detail in "Guidelines on the use of AI Department of English", last updated 08.05.2024).

Failure to correctly log, cite and reference each use of AI tools in written work will be deemed to constitute a case of plagiarism. Please read the conditions and guidelines on the correct use of Generative AI in the following document (Guidelines on the use of AI Department of English, last updated 08.05.2024).

Submitting admissions

Fill in this form, sign the plagiarism declaration and submit the form along with all assessed work in print:

Submission Sheet

With handing in the submission sheet you confirm that you have read the What is Plagiarism document and have not committed plagiarism. Furthermore, you also confirm that you have read the Guidelines on the use of AI Department of English (last updated 08.05.2024) and that you adhere to its conditions and guidelines. Please make sure you have read the document before you sign the submission sheet.

Supervisors for Thesis

Are you looking for a supervisor for your thesis? The Literature and Language & Linguistics sections have lists of possible supervisors for theses.

Supervisors for Papers and Thesis Language and Linguistics (PDF)

Supervisors for Papers and Thesis Literature (PDF)

Papers in Literary Studies

Students are asked to use the Style Sheet for Literature (PDF, 101KB) as well as the guidelines provided by the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, which are available online at the Purdue OWL/MLA and to discuss particular style issues with their respective supervisor.

Papers in Language and Linguistics

Students are asked to use the Style Sheet for Language and Linguistics (PDF, 180KB) and to discuss particular style issues with their respective supervisor.

Please consult the Manual for Writing Research Papers (see "General Information") for further information and guidelines.

Registration for the BA Thesis

The deadlines can be found in the course booklet and here. 

The registration for the BA thesis is a three-step process. First, you register your thesis with your supervisor, then you get registraton clearance from your study counsellor, and then hand in the BA thesis registration form to the secretariat.

Use this BA thesis registration form to register your thesis. You do NOT have to sign up on KSL for your BA thesis as the grade will be entered manually after you have handed it in.

Withdrawal from the BA thesis registration is possible only until 15 April / 15 November in the semester of writing. Thereafter, a withdrawal is only granted on the basis of substantial and documented reasons (e.g. doctor’s certificate), and failure to provide such will result in an insufficient mark.

Format Requirements

The BA thesis is about 15,000 words long and has to be completed within three months of registration. The thesis word count includes everything except appendices and cover page (i.e. references, table of contents, etc. are included).

For further information and guidelines please consult the Manual for Writing Papers (see "General Information" above).

Ready to submit? Please see "Thesis submission" (below) for further information.

Thesis Extension

An extension of up to two weeks may be approved by your supervisor; however, this will only be considered under particular circumstances:

1. Unexpected circumstances: The reason for the extension must be something unforeseen and beyond your control; it will not be approved for known commitments such as a heavy workload or poor time management and planning.
2. Extraordinary and/or unavoidable events: The reason for the extension has to be related to an unexpected, exceptional life event such as a medical emergency, death in the family, previously unscheduled professional commitment, etc.

In short, concerns about the quality of your thesis and the desire for more time to improve it do not qualify for an extension. Part of what is being assessed is your ability to manage your time properly and to produce an advanced piece of work within a specific timeframe.

If you are seeking an extension (max. two weeks) from your supervisor, be sure to submit your request in writing together with any supporting documentation.

Registration for the MA Thesis

The deadlines can be found in the course booklet and here.

MA theses need to be registered with the Department of English as well as with the Dean’s Office. Please consult the website of the Dean’s Office for information about how to register your MA thesis at the Dean's Office. To register your MA thesis with the department you must complete the MA thesis registration form and include your supervisor’s and study counsellor’s signatures before handing in the form to the secretariat.

In order to register for the thesis you must have completed all other compulsory modules with the exception of the MA Colloquium. At the moment of registration (early December/early June) you cannot have more than one graded seminar pending (i.e., already attended but still awaiting entry in KSL) and you must have already attended your second MA Colloquium. Furthermore, you cannot miss more than 10 ungraded ECTS (excluding the final MA colloquium) when registering your thesis.

Use this MA thesis registration to register your thesis. You do NOT have to sign up on KSL for your MA thesis as the grade will be entered manually by the Dekanat.

Format Requirements

The MA thesis is 30’000-40’000 words long. The thesis word count includes everything except appendices and cover page (i.e. references, table of contents, etc. are included).

For further information and guidelines please consult the Manual for Writing Papers (see "General Information" above).

Ready to submit? Please see "Thesis submission" (below) for further information.

Thesis Extension

Submission deadlines are set by the Dean’s Office; any extension will need first to be approved by your supervisor but then with the Dean’s Office using their official procedure (see below). Extensions may be approved by your supervisor but only under particular circumstances:

1. Unexpected circumstances: The reason for the extension must be something unforeseen and beyond your control; it will not be approved for known commitments such as a heavy workload or poor time management and planning.
2. Extraordinary and/or unavoidable events: The reason for the extension has to be related to an unexpected, exceptional life event such as a medical emergency, death in the family, previously unscheduled professional commitment, etc.

In short, concerns about the quality of your thesis and the desire for more time to improve it do not qualify for an extension. Part of what is being assessed is your ability to manage your time properly and to produce an advanced piece of work within a specific timeframe.

If you are seeking an extension from your supervisor, be sure to submit your request in writing together with any supporting documentation. Then following the official procedure with the Dean’s Office.

Official Extension Procedure

Extending your thesis deadline must adhere to Dean’s Office procedures using this form together with a signature of approval from your supervisor. The options are as follows:

• Extending for one month: Submit the above form to the Dean’s Office, no later than one week before the official deadline.
• Extending for one semester: Submit the above form to the Dean’s Office, no later than one week before the official deadline.
• Second extension for one semester: Second semester-long extension need to be approved by the Collegium Decanale. Write a short letter, explaining the reasons for the additional delay, including your supervisor’s signature and any supporting documentation. Submit it to the Dean’s Office marked for the attention of the Collegium Decanale.

BA Thesis Submissions

Please note that for the BA Thesis you will have to hand in the Submission sheet (PDF, 151KB). Handing in a hard copy is no longer necessary if your supervisor does not require one. Please make sure to ask your supervisor whether they prefer an electronic copy and/or a hard copy.

If your supervisor requires a hard copy, hand your thesis in either directly to your supervisor or at the secretariat (use the wooden mailbox if the secretariat is closed). Hard copies can be glue binding or ring binding and can be printed back-to-back and in black-and-white.

MA Thesis Submissions

It is no longer necessary to submit a printed/bound version to the Dean's Office. This applies to the copy that is submitted to the Dean's Office and later made available to the institues/libraries. This copy can be submitted via the online form of the Dean's Office.

Supervisors may still require a printed and bound copy of the Master's thesis. Please make sure to ask your supervisor whether they prefer an electronic copy and/or a hard copy in advance. Hard copies can be glue binding or ring binding and can be printed back-to-back and in black-and-white.

You will also need two different submission sheets:

• Copy for Supervisor: You will have to hand in the Submission sheet (PDF, 151KB) with the copy for your supervisor. Hand your thesis in either directly to your supervisor or at the secretariat (use the wooden mailbox if the secretariat is closed).
• Copy for Dean's Office: Additionally, you will also have to hand in a separate declaration for your copy for the Dean's office. You can find the form here (at the bottom: "Erklärung zur Masterarbeit"/"Declaration of the master thesis").