Diploma and Master's theses are academic papers and serve to demonstrate the ability to work on academic topics independently and in a way that is justifiable in terms of content and methodology. The topic of the thesis is determined by agreement between the student and the supervisor.

The task of a diploma or Master's thesis must be designed in such a way that it is possible and reasonable for students to complete it within six months.

Who may supervise diploma and Master's theses?

The following are authorized to supervise and assess diploma and master's theses

• University professors
• habilitated staff members
• Associated university professors
• Assistant professors according to the collective agreement of the University of Vienna

If students cannot find a supervisor, the head of the study program must appoint a supervisor for these students in a special procedure.

• Theatre and performance
• film, art and visual culture
• literature
• popular culture and cultural studies
• memory studies
• transnational and inter-Asian cultural studies

• state-society relations
• protest
• dissent
• corruption
• social media
• governance
• e-government
• responsiveness
• artificial intelligence
• local politics 

• media discourses (including film, not including social media)
• law and society
• law and humanities
• political culture and history
• foreign/international relations
• Overseas Chinese 

• Political sociology
• state-society relations
• survey research & public opinion
• social trust
• political culture
• national identity
• civil society
• contentious politics
• surveillance