Graduation from international Master's degree programmes


Cover page and template

Mandatory as of 1 October 2021!

As of the academic year 2021/22 the cover page must be used for all Master's theses. The template may be used.

English version:
Cover page
Cover page explanation
Template

German Version:
Deckblatt
Deckblatt Erläuterung
Formatvorlage

As of 1 October 2022, the new university by-laws on co-supervision of Master's theses will apply.


Preparation for graduation

Once all study requirements have been met, the student may, after the Study Services have verified that all statutory conditions for graduation have been met, register for the defensio or Master's examination, or apply for the graduation documents to be issued without a defensio/examination involving an examination committee.

The assessment by the Study Services should take place one semester prior to registration for the defensio/Master's examination or completion of the Master's course, so that any deficiencies can be remedied in a timely fashion. For this purpose, the most recent individual course plan or the most recent learning agreement, together with the transcript of records from the relevant partner university/universities must be submitted to the Study Services.

All courses at the partner university/universities and all elective courses taken at other recognised post-secondary educational institutions should be entered by the student in Bokuonline (Anerkennungen/Zeugnisnachtrag) [(recognition/certificate submission)] as “Neue Leistung/Zeugnis” [“new achievement/certificate”].

Further details on graduation from international Master's courses can be obtained from the staff of the BOKU-International Relations.

Admission to the defensio/Master's examination, which marks the conclusion of the course, or graduation from the Master's course without an examination before an examination committee, is subject to the following statutory requirements being met:

  • the successful completion of all required courses in the curriculum (all exams must be accredited via BOKUonline)
  • the Master's thesis receiving a positive mark

If these admission criteria are met, registration may take place. For this, the following documents/forms must be submitted (current information):


Registration for the defensio

  • Registration for the defensio with the pre-arranged date of the defensio (date, time, location) and proposals for the habilitated chairperson and the two participating habilitated university instructors
  • Assessment of the thesis by the supervisor/co-supervisor: Assessment form for Master's thesis
  • a hard-bound thesis with first and last name on the spine, including signed affidavit
  • Master´s thesis (pdf)
  • Copy of the cover of the Master's thesis
  • if required an application to suspend the Master's thesis with detailed reasons
  • Abstracts printout after online entry in Abstracts application (http://www.boku.ac.at/zid-abstracts.html) and release of the abstracts by the supervisor
  • Most recent record of studies
  • Confirmation of approval from university library: ub.support(at)boku.ac.at
  • Recognition notification
  • Original certificates of other recognised post-secondary educational institutions for free electives (please do not forget previous certificate submission on BOKUonline)

In accordance with the Guidelines for the defensio of a Master's thesis at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna the application for the defensio must be registered at least three weeks in advance. The completed application form is submitted to the Dean by the Study Services for approval.  The three-week period begins from the date of the application, providing all necessary documents are available and all legal requirements are met.


Defensio

Defensiones can take place at any time of year. Exceptions are the non-examination period (Calendar).

The composition of the defensio committee as well as the arrangement of the date, time and location of the defensio is the student's responsibility. The student arranges in advance a date and time for their defensio with two university lecturers with high teaching credentials. The thesis supervisor is usually part of the committee, but may not chair it. The Chair is appointed by the Study Services. The student has the option of nominating a candidate for the Chair. The candidate must belong to a different department from that associated with the Master's thesis.

Further information on final exams by video conference can be found here.


Students of international Master's courses who have completed their studies at a partner university must provide the following documentation/forms for their graduation documentation to be issued:

  • Request for issuing of graduation documents
  • Admission certificate
  • Last version of Individual Course Plan or Learning Agreement
  • Graduation documents from partner university
  • Transcript of records from partner university/universities
  • Assessment of the thesis by the co-supervisor (BOKU)
  • Most recent record of studies
  • Confirmation of approval from university library: ub.support(at)boku.ac.at

Graduation documents will be issued following a check by the Study Services.


Graduation documents

As soon as the officially signed graduation documents (notice of graduation, certificate and diploma supplement) have been issued, we will inform you by email.

After receipt of the confirmation concerning study-related stays abroad (UHStat2) the graduation documents will be sent to you by email.

Four weeks after the officially signed notice of graduation has been sent to you by email, the notice of graduation becomes legally binding and you have the right to use the academic degree awarded to you. If you would like to use the academic degree earlier, notify Study Services by email that you waive your right to appeal. The notice of graduation becomes valid on the day of your waiver of appeal.

If you need a signed copy of the graduation documents for compelling legal reasons, please send the corresponding proof to studienservices(at)boku.ac.at. These graduation documents cannot be sent by mail and must be collected by you in person or by an authorized person at Study Services by appointment.

If the graduation documents cannot be personally collected, an authorization (form) and an official photographic ID must be presented.


Academic ceremonies

You can register for an academic ceremony (graduation ceremony) as soon as all the required graduation documents have been issued. Details of academic ceremonies can be found under Master's and PhD Graduation Ceremonies.