Starting with the winter term 2024/25, the faculty will allocate theses centrally: Central allocation procedure.

The Chair of Finance & Banking supervises theses in the field of finance with a reference to issues of financial risk management, banking or behavioral finance. Bachelor theses are usually literature reviews with a focus on recent scientific topics; in the case of Master theses, we offer empirically-oriented theses with a focus on the latest scientific topics.

In addition to the necessary interest in financial issues and the corresponding knowledge acquired during their studies, students should be able to handle statistical analysis software (e.g., R or STATA), especially for empirical work (especially relevant for master's theses).

The supervision of theses in cooperation with firms is generally possible - preferably in cooperation with consulting companies, providers of financial services, and insurance companies.

Theses can be written in German or English, regardless of the topic.

Prerequisite for the preparation of a Master's thesis

•     Successfully completed seminar with a focus on financial economics

Below you will find some possible topics for your thesis. Please note that the list of topics will be updated at least 2 weeks before the central allocation procedure.

Bachelor theses

Master theses (From the winter semester 2025/2026, we will only offer empirical Master's theses. The list of topics will be updated accordingly).

Other topics and suggestions are available upon request.

Having received a slot to write your thesis at the chair of finance and banking, please submit your own topic suggestions or 3 preferences from our suggested topics. Please send your Transcript of Records with your application. In the transcript, you will find the indication whether you are eligible for a thesis. If this indication is missing from your Transcript of Records, but you are convinced that you do meet the requirements, please contact the Examination Office first. If you have proposed a topic of your own, please submit a short synopsis in which you describe what you imagine the topic to be and, if applicable, provide initial literature references.

Within approximately 2 weeks we will be able to provide you with a topic proposal. You will then have 2-3 weeks to prepare a short synopsis of your topic and submit it to your supervisor, who will return it to you for any necessary revisions. Once the exposé has been satisfactorily revised, the thesis can be registered.

There is a fixed schedule for final theses in the winter semester 2025/2026. You have the option of choosing between two different schedules:

Alternative 1:

• Distribution of topics: 10.10.2025
• Submission of exposé BA & MA: 02.11.2025
• Registration BA & MA: 17.11.2025

Alternative 2:

• Distribution of topics: 21.11.2025
• Submission of BA & MA exposé: 14.12.2025
• Registration BA & MA: 05.01.2026

Outside of these schedules, we do not offer individual registration of the thesis. If, for example, you have not yet been admitted to the final thesis, you must apply to our chair in the next allocation procedure.

For Master's thesis writers who opt for the first alternative, we offer a date for the colloquium that still falls in the winter semester. If you opt for alternative 2, the submission of the thesis and the colloquium will take place in the next semester.

At the beginning of each registration phase there is also an introductory meeting for all thesis writers. The respective date will be published on our website (next meeting: April 2025). We also offer the possibility of an interim presentation about halfway through the thesis. Please fix a date with your supervisor.

There are mandatory colloquia for all theses registered from October 2024 onwards. The next colloquia for theses at the Chair of Finance and Banking will take place on September 29, 2025 from 10:30 am. You must have submitted your thesis at least 3 weeks in advance in order to attend the corresponding date for the colloquium. Further dates will be published in the course of time.

Nina Klocke (nina.klocke@uni-due.de) is available as your contact person. Please approach us with suggestions for topics in which you are interested.

FAQ

Can I apply for a thesis outside the deadlines mentioned above?

• No, it is not possible to apply outside the above-mentioned deadlines.

Can I start my Bachelor's thesis at a different time?

• Individual registration outside the proposed timetables is not possible.

What happens if my exposé has not yet been accepted?

• We will give you time to revise your exposé. If no improvements are apparent, we reserve the right not to register your work. In this case, you will have to reapply in the next application phase.

Which style sheets should I follow? How do I cite correctly?

• You are welcome to use common standards for working papers as a guide. You can find an example here. You can find additional information in the slides from the introductory event and in our guidelines for theses. Both are available in the Moodle course.

The chair is not listed in the MSM document on writing scientific papers. Which guidelines do I follow?

• All formatting requirements will be explained during the introductory event. Requirements can be also found in the documents provided in the Moodle course.

Do I have to attend the interim presentation? Are there any negative consequences if I do not attend?

• The interim presentation is an offer from our chair that allows you to receive feedback on your work and to clarify open questions.

How should I hand in my thesis?

• The thesis must be handed in as specified by the examination office. You will find information on this in your respective examination regulations. In addition, please send the paper as a PDF to Prof. Pelster and your supervisor.