Writing your master's thesis is a big part of your LLM programme. Not only is it worth 18 of the 60 ECTS needed to graduate, its also your chance to choose an area to further your legal expertise in through research. It certainly takes time and effort to write such a complex piece of work, so it is best to start as early as you can. It might be challenging but here are a few questions below that I've answered that might help others with some tips on how to successfully navigate the thesis writing process. 

How did you choose the topic of your thesis?

I personally decided to research/write about state aid in regards to airline companies. My master thesis will be a follow up to my LLB thesis, which I also wrote on competition law. This time, however, I chose a topic that I was very interested in, specifically airline companies and how state aid is given by the governments to their national flag carriers. My thesis will also consist of information on the Romanian national airline company TAROM, which I have been keeping in contact for the past year.

What would you suggest to others when deciding on a topic?

While deciding on a topic, one should really keep in mind that the thesis will take a big part of your time, especially in the second semester of the LLM programme. Additionally, the overall paper will be lengthier than any other thesis or article written until now by every student. Whilst keeping this in mind, the subject of the thesis must be chosen very carefully. In my opinion, the topic should be something that you are passionate about, or have a strong interest in. It will be easier to write and put effort into it if it is a topic of your interest.

How do you approach research and writing?

Research and writing will take a lot of time, therefore it is good to spread your writing over an extended period of time — writing as you go has multiple advantages, including the chance to refine and tweak the content and the structure of your thesis. Setting a specific time for writing for your thesis might also be of help. What needs to be kept in mind, however, is that writing takes place in three different stages: planning, writing, and editing; having a plan on how you will be spreading these tasks apart will for sure be beneficial. The editing stage is, in my opinion, the most important stage. A very careful consideration must be awarded to this part, so make sure you spend a sufficient amount of time on the structure of the thesis, argumentation, correcting any typos, and polishing your writing style.

Any tips for communicating with your supervisor?

Communication with your supervisor is key for a successful master thesis. It is important to keep in mind that writing a thesis will almost always come with setbacks, therefore having someone to ask for their opinion and advice is very helpful. Establishing good, open communication with your supervisor is key to maintaining a relationship with your supervisor. If you are having any type of difficulties, you should always first talk to your supervisor and see if you can work them through.

Where should students go if they still have questions about how to write their thesis? 

If you have any questions about how to write your thesis, you should have a talk with your supervisor, or for other questions, you can reach out to the specific thesis coordinator for each LLM programme. More information about the Master’s thesis, including the thesis coordinators, can be found here.

- Cristiana Zamfir, Romania, European Law in a Global Context LLM student

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