Master’s Thesis 101 Guide

A master’s thesis at WUR is a chance for students to explore a topic they genuinely care about and turn their ideas into real research. Whether it is about sustainability, climate, food, or the environment, the thesis is where students connect what they have learned in class to real-world challenges.

First stage of your early thesis journey

Here are the actions you should take a few months before the official start of your thesis. I started with procedures around late April and officially began with the research in early September. So if you follow the next steps, I guarantee you that you will have a smooth journey!

1. Make a list of topics you are interested in
   Start by thinking about the courses, projects, or issues that genuinely interested you during your studies. If you need inspiration, you can browse previous MSc theses through WUR MSc Theses Online. There, you can see the wide range of topics students have worked on before.
2. Make sure to know which group you are in
   At Wageningen University & Research, every thesis is connected to a specific chair group or department. The WUR Study Handbook helps you identify which chair groups are linked to your programme and what requirements they may have.
3. Look for supervisor/s
   Once you have a general topic in mind, start exploring potential supervisors whose research aligns with your interests. Many chair groups publish available thesis topics, staff profiles, and research themes directly on their websites. I personally knew who I wanted to be my supervisor from a course I took where they were a lecturer. So I immediately knew who I wanted to supervise me before the topic.

Second stage of your early thesis journey

1. Set up a meeting with the potential supervisor and explain the potential topic
   This first meeting helps both you and the supervisor see whether the topic is realistic and interesting enough for a thesis. It is also the perfect time to discuss expectations, research ideas, and possible methods.
2. Start the OSIRIS process
   Once your topic and supervisor are confirmed, the administrative process officially begins through the OSIRIS Student System. This is where you register your thesis, monitor progress, and complete the official approval steps.
3. Find out if you are doing it abroad or at WUR
   Some students stay in Wageningen for their thesis, while others conduct fieldwork or collaborate with organisations abroad. Deciding this early helps with planning funding, visas, travel arrangements, and supervision.
4. Make a planning of your thesis
   A realistic timeline can save you from a lot of stress later on. Break the process into smaller stages such as literature review, proposal writing, fieldwork, analysis, writing, and revisions.
5. Submit the documents, such as the learning agreement
   Before officially starting, you usually need to complete documents like the Learning Agreement and receive approval from your supervisor and chair group. The WUR MSc Thesis Information & Documents Guide explains the process step-by-step.
6. Relax until September or the official date of your thesis start
   Once all the paperwork and planning are finished, take some time to recharge before the thesis journey begins. You will appreciate the rest once the reading, research, and deadlines start rolling in.

Final remarks