Leiden University · Faculty of Humanities

Thesis Supervision

Resources and guidance for thesis students supervised by Dr. Steven Denney

MAIR — International Relations

MA

The MA thesis in International Relations is a substantial research project demonstrating the capacity for independent scholarly work. The thesis should reflect your specialization track and build upon the knowledge, topics, methods, and skills gained from your coursework.

The content below is adapted from the MAIR thesis supervision guidelines for students. Always confirm details with your supervisor and check Brightspace for the most current information.

Download: MAIR Thesis Guidelines (PDF)

Key Requirements

Requirement Details
Word count 15,000 words hard maximum — includes all elements (notes, bibliography, appendices). No 10% margin.
Citation style One reference style, used consistently throughout
Language English
Specialization fit Thesis must fit your MAIR specialization track
Next deadline June 5, 2026

Deadlines

MAIR has a single thesis submission deadline per semester. If you miss the deadline, the next opportunity is the following semester.

Deadline Date
June 2026 Friday, June 5, 2026
December 2026 TBD (typically first Friday of December)

Extensions: If you need an extension, you must discuss it with both your supervisor and second reader well before the deadline. Both must approve. Extensions may result in a later graduation date and could prevent participation in the graduation ceremony. If the extension is not approved, contact stucomair@hum.leidenuniv.nl and consult the Board of Examiners.

Supervision

Supervision begins upon assignment. You should meet your supervisor shortly after assignment to set goals, including a plan for the break period (supervisors are generally not available for supervision during winter and summer breaks).

Minimum meetings: You should meet with your supervisor at least four times:

Meeting Focus
1 Introductory discussion — topic scope, research question, literature, sources, general approach, and timetable
2 Discussion of the introduction, literature review, and research design
3 Discussion of an empirical chapter at the intermediate stage
4 Discussion of the final evaluation

Feedback: Your supervisor will provide oral or written feedback on the introduction/literature review/research design and at least one subsequent chapter. Supervisors are allowed but not required to read and provide feedback on an entire draft.

Important: Because there is no supervision during winter and summer breaks, theses cannot be written in their entirety over the break. You must actively consult your supervisor during the research process — a thesis cannot be submitted for evaluation that has not been overseen by a supervisor.

Research Ethics

You and your supervisor should discuss any ethical implications of your research during your initial meeting or when they first arise. This is especially important when your research involves human participants or individually identifiable data.

If conducting interviews, you must:

  • Obtain informed, voluntary consent from all participants
  • Provide participants with an information sheet explaining the nature, aims, and implications of the research
  • Protect the privacy and confidentiality of participants throughout the research
  • Not use identifying information unless the person has expressly agreed
  • Respect the right of individuals to refuse to participate or withdraw at any stage

Particular care should be taken with vulnerable groups, such as asylum seekers or citizens of authoritarian regimes. The program will not allow research that could endanger the researcher or participants.

See the Ethics & AI page for consent form templates, the Code of Ethics, and university ethics guidelines.

Assessment Criteria

Both the supervisor and second reader assess the thesis independently. The assessment covers five criteria plus formal requirements:

Knowledge and Insight — Research question based on a problem reflecting insight into key discussions and methods; clarity and relevance; embedding in existing literature; originality.

Application of Knowledge — Critical analysis of primary sources; use of complex concepts and effective research methods; description and justification of methodology; application of knowledge in broader or multidisciplinary contexts.

Reaching Conclusions — Logical and consistent reasoning; well-founded conclusions; degree to which the research question is answered; connection to future research; consideration of social and ethical responsibilities.

Communication — Language competence; readability, style, grammar, and terminology; structure and layout; correct use of citations and bibliography.

Learning Skills (Process) — Degree of independence; planning and time management; handling of supervisor feedback; participation in thesis group (if applicable).

Formal Requirements — Word count (15,000 maximum); formatting; adherence to program-specific requirements.

Quality standards: The thesis should include a clearly formulated research question; a critical report on existing academic debates; an original contribution that demonstrates advanced scholarly engagement; primary sources where appropriate; application of concepts and research methods; clear structure and proper language. Fraud and plagiarism are knockout criteria.

See Assessment Standards for the general framework and BA vs MA expectations.

Grade Descriptors

Grade Level Description
9–10 Distinction Outstanding; excellent understanding of issues and methodologies; original, independent thinking; rigorous argument with wide range of sources; at 10, could not be bettered at MA level
8–8.9 Merit Excellent understanding; independent thought; strong, well-organized argument using wide range of sources
7–7.9 Merit Good to very good; most but not necessarily all of the above
6–6.9 Pass Satisfactory understanding; reasonable and reasonably well-organized argument with standard range of sources; some shortcomings but no fundamental errors
5.1–5.9 — The faculty does not issue grades in this range
3–5.0 Fail Inadequate understanding; substantial omissions or irrelevant material; poorly conceived
2–2.9 Fail An attempt to answer, but without significant grasp of material or appropriate skills
0–1.9 Ungradable No answer; totally irrelevant, fundamentally wrong, or plagiarized

Formatting

  • Written in English, in Word format
  • 1.5 line spacing, standard margins, standard size 12 font
  • Title page must include: student name, email, student number, and word count (including all elements)
  • Student number on all subsequent pages
  • Proofread for spelling and language errors

If you are struggling with writing in English, contact the Writing Lab.

Submission

Submit your thesis by email to your supervisor with CC to your second reader. Ask for confirmation of receipt — if you don’t receive confirmation, follow up after one week.

Resubmission

Students who fail their thesis are allowed a single retake. To graduate within the same semester:

Original deadline Retake deadline
June deadline Last workday of August
December deadline Last workday of January

Note that theses cannot be written in their entirety over the break — see supervision requirements above.