Banking, Insurance and Finance

The Bachelor’s thesis is an independent piece of academic work with a clear interest in knowledge. Depending on the topic, it can be theoretical-conceptual, empirical or practice-orientated. It must comply with general academic standards: These include a clean structure, methodological traceability, correct citation and a coherent argument based on current specialised literature.

The formal requirements such as the number of pages, citation style and deadlines are summarised in the Bachelor’s thesis guidelines, which are made available to students in good time.

The conception of the Bachelor’s thesis begins in the fifth semester as part of an accompanying seminar, in which you will be supported in finding a topic, writing the synopsis and selecting suitable research methods. The actual processing period begins at the start of the sixth semester and usually lasts 12 weeks.

Throughout the entire process, you will be individually supervised by a qualified teacher. Supervision includes regular feedback sessions, support in selecting methods, assistance in structuring the thesis and tips on literature research and academic writing.

The choice of topic is made in close consultation with your supervisor. You can contribute your own ideas or choose from topics suggested by the institute. Bachelor’s theses are often written in cooperation with companies such as banks, insurance companies, financial service providers or consultancies.

This co-operation has many advantages:

• You work on real problems that are highly relevant to the industry
• You gain valuable insights into work processes and decision-making structures
• You make contacts for possible internships, working student activities or a later permanent position
• Your Bachelor’s thesis can serve as a business card for your career entry

It is important that the academic quality and independence of company-related work is maintained.

The Bachelor’s examination is divided into two parts:

1. Presentation and defence of the Bachelor’s thesis (defensio)

In the first part, you present the content and results of your Bachelor’s thesis. In a structured presentation, you present the problem, the chosen methodology, key findings and the practical relevance of your work. This is followed by a scientific discussion with the examination board. Aspects such as methodological confidence, logical structure, technical depth and the ability to reflect are assessed. The aim is to demonstrate your ability to carry out independent academic work and make well-founded arguments.

2. Subject examination in the specialisation area

In the second part of the examination, you will demonstrate your knowledge in the areas of finance, banking products and insurance products as well as in one of the two chosen specialisation areas:

Banking: content may relate to bank management, risk management, treasury, bank-specific accounting or corporate banking, among others.
Insurance: Topics include insurance products, premium calculation, risk management, actuarial accounting or asset liability management.

The subject areas are based on the content of the curriculum and enable you to present your specialist knowledge in a practical and interlinked manner.

The Bachelor’s examination is conducted by a committee of three to four members. This committee is usually composed as follows:

• Supervisor: in the Bachelor’s thesis
• Second or third lecturer with relevant subject expertise
• Chair of the examination committee – usually the head of the degree programme or an experienced university lecturer

The committee ensures an objective, transparent and fair examination and assesses presentation, argumentation, academic work and reflective ability in addition to subject-related quality.

By successfully completing the Bachelor’s examination, you prove that you have the technical, analytical and communication skills required for a job in the banking, insurance or finance sector. The Bachelor’s examination documents your academic maturity and is also a signal to potential employers of your ability to grasp complex issues in a structured way and to work on them in a solution-orientated manner.

It is the last step towards a Bachelor’s degree – and often the first step towards a responsible position in the financial sector or a Master’s degree programme.