Possible problems in thesis supervision

Theses tend to be fairly long projects, which means you have to meet with the same student many times at different stages of the work. Even if guidance is readily available, students writing a thesis must always be able to work independently. As a result, theses have a tendency to bring out any shortcomings related to study skills, such as time management, planning and motivation. The challenges of independent work can also be linked to the student’s situation in life.

The process of writing a thesis often includes phases that involve uncomfortable thoughts and feelings that may even be quite strong. Students may try to solve their discomfort by postponing the writing or doing something else instead, even if they are fully aware of the fact it won’t help them finish the work. Postponing and procrastination tend to reduce one’s belief in one’s skills, reducing the student’s motivation for the thesis project. Students may also be involved in life situations that create challenges and make thesis work more of a burden. Problems related to study skills, work capacity and life situations can turn into problems of supervision; for example, agreed meetings are postponed, students fail to produce new text or want to change their thesis subject, or they feel unhappy with the amount or quality of the guidance they are receiving.

The same general instructions apply to thesis supervision problems as they do to any other challenging supervision situations.

The Support for Studies section under Instructions for Students contains tips for what the student can do if they are having a hard time with their thesis.

If the student does not have the means to restart their thesis project or you feel you are nearing the limits of your ability as supervisor, you can direct the student to a study psychologist or a small writing group. The Language Centre organises courses for students working on their master’s thesis.

In what languages can a thesis be written? 

In accordance with the university’s policies concerning degrees and studies, the student must normally write their bachelor’s thesis in their mother tongue, in Finnish or Swedish. In English-language degree programmes, the thesis is written in English.  More detailed provisions and instructions for grading a bachelor’s thesis are provided in the curricula of the degree programmes. 

For more information about the language policy for completing degrees and studies, see here.

What should I do if I notice a student is cheating?

Information and guidelines are available in the Cheating and plagiarism instructions.

Can a student demand to have another supervisor or change supervisors?

In accordance with the university’s policies concerning degrees and studies, the student must prepare a thesis plan before starting work on the thesis, or at latest at the beginning of the thesis project. The plan is processed and approved in the way specified in the degree programme curriculum. The plan must indicate who the supervisor(s) of the thesis are. 

The student may request to change supervisors for a good reason.  If the thesis has been approved and the student wishes to change to a different supervisor, in accordance with the decision cited above, the student must prepare a new plan that will then be processed and approved in the manner specified in the curriculum.

The public availability and publishing of a thesis

Open teaching and copyright

Data protection guide for researchers (Flamma)

Data protection guidelines for teachers