At the beginning of the academic year, each student will be assigned an MT supervisor, preferably the same person who supervised their practicum.

During the MT preparation phase, group guidance sessions may be organized to provide instructions regarding the project. In these sessions, students will prepare the different sections of the thesis under the supervision of their tutor.

The methodology is divided into supervised sessions, independent work, and assessment activities. The supervised component, preferably through individual tutorials, includes five face-to-face tutorials distributed throughout the different stages of the process, with a maximum total duration of six hours.

Students may also request up to four additional hours of supplementary tutorials, which will be agreed upon between the student and the supervisor. Given the autonomous nature of the project, more than four additional tutorial hours may not be granted except in exceptional circumstances.

At a time established by each specialization, the specialization coordinator will hold an information session explaining the fundamental aspects of the MT (development process, procedures, deadlines, etc.).

The preparation of the MT is conceived as a continuous process consisting of three stages:

• Initial stage: definition and planning of the project (approximately 25 hours of student workload).
• Development stage: implementation and progression of the project (approximately 75 hours).
• Final stage: completion and submission of the report (approximately 50 hours).

Tutorials are designed as spaces for discussion, clarification of doubts, and proposals for advancing the project. Students are encouraged to submit their working document in advance, including progress made and questions to be addressed, so that the supervisor can prepare the meeting.

The total time devoted to compulsory tutorials should not exceed six hours, while supplementary tutorials should not exceed an additional four hours.

Final Submission

The final submission, which must be uploaded through the Virtual Campus within the established deadline, must comply with the following formal requirements:

• Approximately 70,000 characters (including spaces), equivalent to about 20-25 pages.
• References and appendices must be included separately and may contain supplementary information that does not form part of the main body of the thesis.

Cover Page

The cover page must include:

• Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
• Author's name
• Title of the Master's Thesis
• Submission date and examination session
• Master's programme and specialization
• Supervisor's full name and department
• Creative Commons CC BY-SA licence

Following the Cover Page

The thesis must include:

• Abstract in Catalan and English
• Acknowledgements (if applicable)
• Declaration of the use of Artificial Intelligence tools
• Table of contents with page numbering
• Numbered sections and subsections
• References
• Appendices (including a compulsory appendix containing the analysed data)

Declaration of Artificial Intelligence Use

Students must specify any interaction with AI tools, including both the tool used and the stage of the process in which it was employed (planning, writing, data management, etc.).

Example:

• Artificial Intelligence Tool: Gemini (version 1.5 Flash)
• Purpose of Use: Used to structure the outline of the paper and draft a preliminary version of the introduction.
• Use of Generated Content: Used for research tasks and web data extraction, while the final version was written and rewritten by the author.
• Visual Content: Images were created and generated using Canva and Reve IA.
• Writing, Review and Editing: Used for grammatical review; all AI-generated content was critically reviewed and checked against academic sources.
• Privacy and Security: Data privacy and security were ensured in accordance with ethical research standards, disciplinary guidelines, and institutional policies.

Structure of the Master's Thesis

The MT shall consist of:

1. Diagnosis of a problem or research question, preferably arising from the intervention or guidance proposal implemented during the practicum.
2. Definition of the research questions and selection of instruments for collecting relevant information.
3. Data analysis and conclusions.
4. Final writing and presentation.

Introduction

A general presentation of the work carried out and the rationale for the chosen topic.

1. Justification

Definition of the educational problem to be addressed and its personal, social, or professional relevance.

2. Research Question(s), Hypothesis(es), and Objectives

The problem must be specified through one or more research questions, an initial hypothesis, and the objective or objectives pursued through fieldwork and the application of research or analytical tools.

3. Theoretical Framework

A theoretical and methodological foundation based on a minimum of five references. This section should include a review of the most relevant studies and literature related to the topic.

4. Methodological Framework

This section must respond to the research objectives and define the type of research or innovation undertaken. Research instruments may include:

• Documentary analysis
• Questionnaires
• Interviews
• Observations
• Results from the implementation of educational materials or activities

For projects focused on educational innovation, instruments should also be used to analyse the initial situation and justify the relevance of the innovation.

5. Description of the Context

Description of the context in which the teaching activity or intervention takes place. This section may be included within the methodological framework.

6. Data Analysis and Discussion

Descriptive and interpretative analysis of the data. Students must clearly distinguish between the presentation of results and their interpretation, while relating findings to the theoretical framework.

7. Conclusions and Improvement Proposals

This section should include:

a) An overall evaluation of the research or proposal.

b) Answers to the initial questions and an assessment of objectives and hypotheses.

c) A critical evaluation of the methodological process followed.

d) Reflection on the contribution of the research/innovation to educational improvement, educational organization, teacher training, or a specific theoretical field.

e) New research questions or future innovation opportunities.

8. References

Bibliography, websites, online documents, and other consulted sources.

9. Appendices

Data Protection

In accordance with data protection regulations, the thesis must not contain any information that identifies the educational institution or any participant.

If videos or audio recordings are analysed, informed consent must be obtained from the institution, students, and, where applicable, families of minors.

The document must have automatic page numbering.

The intellectual property rights of the MT belong to the student author. However, since the supervisor has also contributed to its development, any dissemination of the work will require the consent of both the author and the supervisor.

The thesis must also specify that the study was conducted within the corresponding edition of the Master's programme.

Students are encouraged to attend the bibliographic reference management courses organized free of charge by the UAB Library Service.

Submission and Defence

The Master's Programme Coordinator, together with the specialization coordinators, will establish the submission period and the dates for the oral defences of the Master's Theses.

Academic Year 2026-2027

Regular Session

• Master's Thesis Submission: 18 June 2027
• Oral Presentations: 28 June to 6 July 2027
• Grade Submission Deadline: 7 July 2027

Extraordinary Session*

• Master's Thesis Submission: 1 September 2027
• Oral Presentations: 4 September 2027
• Grade Submission Deadline: 4 September 2027

* Reserved exclusively for extraordinary circumstances (illness, unforeseen situations, etc.).

Specialization coordinators will assign examination committees within the established dates. This information will be published on the Virtual Campus. Defences may be scheduled either in the morning or afternoon.

The September session is reserved exclusively for exceptional and duly documented circumstances (serious illness, serious accident, etc.) that prevented submission during the regular session. Such cases will be assessed jointly by the specialization coordination and the overall Master's programme coordination.

Public Defence

During the public presentation, the student will explain:

• The context of the intervention
• The research problem or question
• The objectives of the project
• The most relevant findings
• The conclusions and proposals for improvement

The examination committee will consist of three members of the Master's teaching staff and may not include the student's supervisor.

As the defences are public, family members, friends, other students, and teaching staff may attend as audience members, provided that they respect the schedule and procedures established for the Master's Thesis defence.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

The assessment of the Master's Thesis (MT) consists of three assessment components:

1. Supervisor's assessment of the student's progress: 10%
2. Assessment of the written thesis by the examination committee: 50%
3. Assessment of the oral presentation by the examination committee: 40%

The final grade for the MT results from the combined assessment of the supervisor and the examination committee according to the percentages assigned to each component. To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum grade of 5 out of 10 in all assessment components. If, despite failing one assessment component, the weighted average grade is above 5, the final grade recorded will be 4.5.

The MT is a course that does not provide any reassessment opportunities for its assessment components.

1. Assessment of MT Progress (10% of the final grade)

Each specialization may establish mandatory or optional interim submissions. This information must be published on the Virtual Campus.

Supervisors will base their progress assessment on the following report, which will also be submitted to the examination committee:

1. Attendance at scheduled meetings and tutorials.
2. Fulfilment of commitments and consistency in work.
3. Ability to incorporate suggested improvements.
4. Autonomy and initiative throughout the process of producing a high-quality MT.
5. Progress in the development of research competencies.
6. Submission of evidence of the research conducted.

2. Assessment of the Written Thesis by the Examination Committee (50% of the final grade)

Each member of the examination committee will assess the document submitted by the student.

The assessment criteria, which will be specified by each specialization, will refer to:

• Relevance and quality of the content in the different sections.
• Appropriateness of the selected methodology in relation to the research problem and context.
• Justification, contextualization, and coherence of the reflection on practice.

3. Assessment of the Oral Presentation by the Examination Committee (40% of the final grade)

Each specialization will specify the format and requirements of the oral presentation. In all cases, however, the examination committee will consist of three members, preferably MT supervisors or lecturers from the master's specialization. Under no circumstances may the student's supervisor be a member of the committee.

VERY IMPORTANT

There are three situations that automatically result in a failing grade for the MT:

1. Insufficient Communication Competence

If the thesis contains a large number of spelling and grammatical errors, very poor writing, or is difficult to understand, the supervisor may fail the thesis directly.

As Catalan is the language of instruction of the Master's programme and secondary education, the MT must be submitted and defended in Catalan or, in the case of language specializations, in the language of the specialization. Linguistic accuracy, quality of writing, and formal presentation aspects will be taken into account. Students must also demonstrate fluency and correctness in oral communication, as well as a high level of comprehension of academic texts.

2. Plagiarism Exceeding 20%

Although students may work on the same topic, the final report must be original and entirely individual. In such cases, additional measures may be considered, including the initiation of disciplinary proceedings.

Copying or plagiarism in any type of assessment activity constitutes academic misconduct and will be penalized with a final grade of 0 for the course, with no possibility of reassessment.

A piece of work, activity, or examination will be considered copied when it reproduces all or a substantial part of another student's work.

A piece of work or activity will be considered plagiarized when it presents as one's own any part of another author's work without properly citing the source, regardless of whether the original source is in print or digital format.

3. Fraudulent Use of Artificial Intelligence

Any irresponsible use of Artificial Intelligence, such as the inclusion of incorrect or unverified references and documentation, or any use that violates the ethical principles of the University (for example, manipulating images for fraudulent purposes or generating fictitious data and presenting it as real), will result in failure of the MT.

The detection of AI use that differs from what has been explicitly declared in the AI Use Declaration will also be considered fraudulent use.

If fraudulent use is identified, additional measures may also be considered, including the initiation of disciplinary proceedings.