Condensed Thesis in Finance

Course Director: Gualtiero Azzalini

General Information

The 15 ECTS MSc Condensed Thesis in Finance is an independent piece of work in which the student must demonstrate the ability to (i) identify and rigorously analyze a research question in finance, (ii) write a coherent, consistent, and well-structured academic thesis, and (iii) present and defend their arguments and results.

This course complements the MFIN Business Project (M04354) and follows the organization, structure, and academic standards of the 30 ECTS MSc thesis course (TM4350). Students are expected to consult the TM4350 course document for detailed guidance. Unless otherwise stated, all general rules and expectations from 4350 apply.

Given the reduced scope (15 ECTS), the Condensed Thesis is expected to cover approximately half the width, depth, and scope of a full 30 ECTS thesis.

Important Deadlines and Dates

The course follows a similar timeline as TM4350. Key deadlines (proposal, submission, and presentation) will be communicated via the Canvas course page. Students are responsible for staying informed about updates and deadlines.

Getting Started

Within the first 2–3 weeks of the semester, students should:

• Select a thesis topic
• Submit a short thesis proposal
• If desired, identify up to three possible supervisors

Students are encouraged to consult the corresponding section in the TM4350 document for detailed guidance on topic selection.

Thesis Proposal

The proposal (1–2 pages) should include:

• Definition and motivation of the research question
• Brief literature review (key references only)
• Outline of potential data sources
• Description of methodology and expected contribution
• A list of up to three potential supervisors (optional)

The proposal requirements follow the same structure as TM4350.

Approval of the Thesis Topic and Supervisor

Students are assigned supervisors by the Course Director. Students could provide a list of up to three supervisors of their choice in order to facilitate matching of topics. The assigned supervisor approves the proposal and provides guidance throughout the thesis process. The general procedures described in TM4350 apply.

Thesis Writing

The thesis writing process follows the same principles as TM4350. However, the scope is reduced. In particular:

• The research question should be more narrowly defined
• The literature review should be more focused
• The empirical or theoretical analysis should be less extensive

The emphasis remains on clarity, rigor, and coherence rather than scale.

Supervision

Supervision is provided in line with TM4350 but is typically less intensive. As a guideline, students can expect 1–2 substantive meetings. Students are expected to work independently and take primary responsibility for progress.

Thesis Submission

The submission process follows TM4350. The thesis must be approved by the supervisor prior to submission via Canvas.

Only minor revisions are allowed after the presentation. The final version must be submitted within the specified deadline. If applicable, students must also submit data and code in a reproducible format, following the guidelines in TM4350.

Thesis Presentation, Discussion

Each thesis is presented in a seminar and discussed by another student. The structure of the seminar follows TM4350.

The presentation should last approximately 15–20 minutes and cover:

• Motivation and research question
• Main findings
• Interpretation and implications
• Limitations and future research

Students must also prepare and deliver a discussion of another thesis.

In contrast to TM4350, students are not required to attend additional seminars beyond their own presentation and assigned discussion.

Guidelines on Thesis Writing

Students must follow the writing, formatting, and referencing guidelines provided in the TM4350 document.

Content and Structure

The thesis should include the same core elements as TM4350:

• Introduction
• Literature review
• Data and methodology (if applicable)
• Analysis and results
• Conclusion

Each section is expected to be more concise and focused.

Length

The main text should typically be between 15 and 25 pages. Students are encouraged to prioritize clarity and conciseness.

Writing and Formatting

All formatting, citation, and writing standards follow TM4350. Students should ensure consistency with academic writing conventions.

Course Administrator: Kirandeep.Saini@hhs.se

To enroll in TM4353, students must have successfully completed the Finance in Practice (M04354).

To successfully complete the course, a student must fulfill the following requirements:

• Write and defend the thesis with a passing grade
• Discuss another MSc finance thesis with a passing grade

Unlike TM4350, there is no requirement to attend additional thesis seminars.

The course grade is based on the quality of the final thesis. Students must also receive passing grades on the presentation and the discussion.

The evaluation criteria follow TM4350 and include:

• Independence
• Clarity and structure
• Depth and appropriateness of analysis
• Interpretation of results
• Quality of writing

The expected level of these criteria is adjusted to reflect the reduced scope of a 15 ECTS thesis.

Find the course schedule in TimeEdit

Have you been granted educational support because of a documented disability? If so, please contact the course director as soon as possible so that adequate accommodations can be made.

Contact specialneeds@hhs.se if you have questions about being granted educational support or need a copy of your educational support certificate.

For more information, visit the Specific Educational Needs page on the Student Hub (login required).