Individual Research Master (MSc)

Programme overview

This master's is a research-focused, customisable degree taught in English that lets you shape your studies around a central, long-term research project. It’s aimed at students who want a high degree of independence and the ability to combine perspectives from multiple fields to answer complex questions.

You will work closely with an academic mentor who supervises your individually designed research project while you choose courses across disciplines to build an interdisciplinary profile that directly supports your study. The curriculum deliberately develops advanced academic abilities—research design, methodological skills and reflective scientific practice—so you can conduct rigorous, original work.

The programme supports a wide range of scholarly approaches, from empirical investigations to theoretical analyses, and is especially suitable for those preparing for doctoral studies or research careers. International elements such as research stays or study periods abroad are built into the structure and can be used to extend and deepen your project and academic network.

Core programme requirements

• Develop and carry out an individually designed, research-oriented project under the guidance of an academic mentor
• Select elective courses from multiple disciplines to create an interdisciplinary study profile that complements your research focus
• Demonstrate advanced skills in research design, methodology and scientific reflection
• Conduct independent scholarly work (empirical or theoretical) throughout the programme
• Integrate international experiences (e.g., research stays or study abroad) as part of your individual research trajectory

This programme is built around a highly flexible, individually tailored study plan that you create together with an academic mentor. Rather than following a pre-set sequence of modules, you choose courses from across the university to support a single, sustained research project. From day one you will be developing, refining and carrying out independent research, while taking targeted methodological and theoretical classes that underpin your work.

The course provides an academic framework through regular research forums and mentoring meetings to ensure coherence and forward momentum in your chosen path. You can also incorporate international elements — research stays, summer schools or study periods abroad — wherever they add clear value to your project. The degree culminates in a Master’s thesis that brings together the research carried out throughout the programme.

Key modules and components

• Individually designed curriculum: interdisciplinary selection of courses from across the university aligned to your research question
• Methodological coursework: targeted training in research methods relevant to your project
• Theoretical coursework: advanced seminars that provide conceptual grounding for your topic
• Research forums: regular group meetings for feedback, presentation and peer exchange
• Mentoring meetings: ongoing one-on-one supervision with an academic mentor to guide progress
• International components (optional): research stays, summer schools, or study periods abroad integrated as relevant
• Master’s thesis: final, in-depth research project that synthesises the programme’s work

Learning outcomes

• Plan and execute an independent, original research project within an interdisciplinary setting
• Apply appropriate methodological tools and theoretical frameworks to complex research questions
• Demonstrate critical thinking, academic writing and presentation skills through continuous outputs and the thesis
• Manage a long-term project, including scheduling, problem-solving and scholarly communication
• Engage in academic networks and, where applicable, integrate international research experiences into your work

Programme requirements (concise)

• Co-design and maintain an individual study plan with an appointed academic mentor
• Select and complete coursework across the university that directly supports the research project (methodological and theoretical components included)
• Participate in research forums and regular mentoring meetings to demonstrate progress and receive feedback
• Optionally organise and integrate international research activities when they advance the project
• Complete and submit a Master’s thesis that synthesises the research conducted during the programme

Graduates are primarily prepared for research-oriented careers, including continuing to doctoral studies and academic research positions, thanks to the programme's strong emphasis on independent research design, methodological competence and scientific reflection. The availability of a combined Master's-PhD pathway further facilitates transition into PhD programmes.

Beyond academia, the advanced research skills developed in the programme are applicable to research & development roles in industry, think tanks, policy institutes, consultancy, NGOs and other organisations that require strong analytical, methodological and project-driven expertise. International mobility experience further enhances employability in multinational and interdisciplinary settings.