Application process
Master’s theses will be supervised at the Chair of Corporate Management in the summer semester 2026.
The application process is as follows:
From February 23, 2026, to March 8, 2026, you can apply for a master’s thesis spot in the summer semester 2026. Please note the module requirements below, which must be met. The application documents include the completed application form (which will be uploaded to this page before the application period), your current transcript of records, your resume, and a short letter of motivation. Please send these documents by email to wiso-unternehmensfuehrung@fau.de with the subject line “Application Master’s thesis SoSe 2026.” If you receive an offer for a place, you must accept or decline it by email within 5 days.
No specific topics are advertised as part of the application process. However, you must indicate your preference for a supervisor and the supervisor’s respective field of research in the application form. The specific topic will then be developed in collaboration with the supervisor.
In the summer semester of 2026, you can also apply for a master’s thesis if you have not yet taken the seminar “Advanced Theory and Methods in Strategy.” You must then take this seminar in the summer semester in parallel with your master’s thesis.
Students who wish to write their master’s thesis in the winter semester 2026/27 must already take the seminar “Advanced Theory and Methods in Strategy” in the summer semester 2026. It will not be possible to take this seminar in parallel in the winter semester 2026/27.
Information about master theses
Prerequisites
In order to write a master thesis at the Chair of Corporate Management, certain requirements must be met. This ensures that the student has sufficient knowledge in the subject of strategic management to allow him/her to successfully work on a scientific topic from this subject. In general, the thesis can only be written once the student has completed at least 60 ECTS in the master’s program.
Prerequisites for MiM (PO 20232) who started their studies in/after winter term 2023/24:
- Successful completion of the modules Business Strategy and Advanced Theory and Methods in Strategy
- Successful completion of at least two of the following six modules:
- Change Management
- Corporate Strategy
- Managerial Finance
- Start-up Consulting
- Strategische Herausforderungen im Profifußball – Projektseminar mit dem 1. FC Nürnberg
- Strategy & AI
Prerequisites for MiM (PO 20192) who started their studies before winter term 2023/24:
- Successful completion of the modules Finanzielle Grundlagen des Managements, Business Strategy and Advanced Theory and Methods in Strategy
- Successful completion of at least two of the following six modules:
- Change Management
- Corporate Strategy
- Start-up Consulting
- Advanced Problem Solving and Communication
- Strategic Challenges in Professional Football – Project Seminar with 1. FC Nürnberg
- Strategy & AI
Master in International Business Studies:
- Successful completion of the modules Advanced Theory and Methods in Strategy and
- Business Strategy OR Change Management
Students from other programs should contact the chair’s staff for the respective requirements.
Topic of the Master Thesis & Procedure
The topic to be worked on in the thesis is either suggested by a member of the chair (supervisor) or developed by the student’s own suggestions. In any case, the topic should be in the research area of the respective member of the chair. In both cases, the topic of the thesis is concretized in an introductory discussion with the supervisor. Based on this, an outline and exposé are to be written, which is to be discussed with the supervisor. Subsequently, the outline and exposé are discussed with the chair holder.
Afterwards, the thesis is to be registered with the examination office, which marks the beginning of the six-month period. The student independently deals with the topic and writes the thesis – however, if questions or problems arise, the student should discuss them with the supervisor and, if necessary, with the chair holder.
Submission & Grading
Two copies of the finished thesis as well as an electronic version of the thesis (on CD or USB stick) must be submitted to the examination office by the specified deadline. The thesis will be reviewed as soon as possible; the chair aims to announce the grade of the thesis after a maximum of six weeks.
Formal requirements
A detailed description of the formal requirements and the procedure of a thesis can be found in the Style Guide for the Preparation of Theses.