Bachelor’s seminar paper and Bachelor’s thesis: Why they are so important

Your Bachelor’s seminar paper and your Bachelor’s thesis are more than just another set of assessments on the path to your degree. They are the first opportunity you have to demonstrate that you can tackle an academic research question independently – a key skill you will need for any future academic or professional path.

What does ‘independent academic work’ mean?

Independent academic work means that you:

• develop, narrow down and justify a research question yourself
• search for, contextualise and critically evaluate relevant literature
• develop your own line of argument or methodology and present it in a clear and comprehensible manner
• reach your own, well-founded conclusion – rather than simply summarising existing knowledge
• cite your sources correctly and in full

The aim, therefore, is not to summarise as much literature as possible, but to think for oneself, to organise one’s thoughts and to put forward arguments.

What you should bear in mind

• Choice of topic and consultation: Discuss your research question and approach with your supervisor at an early stage.
• Central theme: A clear structure and a coherent line of argument are more important than sheer page count.
• Use of sources: Use academic, verified sources and cite them consistently in accordance with your department’s guidelines.
• Time management: Allow sufficient time for research, writing and revision – procrastination can come back to haunt you, particularly with longer pieces of work.
• Formal requirements: Pay attention to layout, citation and submission guidelines – even formal errors can affect your mark.

Plagiarism: a risk you shouldn’t take

Plagiarism occurs when you use someone else’s text, ideas or data without correctly identifying them as such – whether verbatim, paraphrased or simply reworded. This also applies to your own text that you have already submitted in another piece of work (self-plagiarism).

Plagiarism is no trivial offence: it is regarded as an attempt at deception and is penalised in accordance with the examination regulations – ranging from a mark of ‘unsatisfactory’ to exclusion from further examinations. You should therefore consistently follow citation rules, document your sources properly from the outset and, if in doubt, err on the side of including one too many references rather than too few.

The Use of AI: Opportunities and Limitations

AI tools can be helpful with research, structuring or language. However, they do not replace your own academic work. Please note:

• Transparency: Find out about the current guidelines issued by your degree programme or department regarding the use of AI tools and adhere to them – if in doubt, you must disclose their use.
• Original work remains mandatory: Content generated by AI that you adopt without checking, evaluating and further processing it yourself does not meet the requirements for independent academic work – and may be regarded as deception.
• Prone to errors: AI tools sometimes invent sources, facts or quotations. Check every piece of information yourself before you use it.
• The responsibility lies with you: Even if a tool has helped you – ultimately, you always bear the responsibility for the content and academic integrity of your work.
   

Why it’s worth the effort

A well-structured seminar paper or bachelor’s thesis demonstrates not only to your examination board, but also to yourself, that you are capable of independently analysing complex issues. It is this ability that qualifies you – regardless of the specific topic – for a master’s degree, a PhD or a career.

If you have any questions regarding the choice of topic, supervision or formal requirements, it is best to contact your supervising department at an early stage.

How do you fund your studies?

An overview of the main optionsn:

- BAföG – State funding, half grant, half interest-free loan. Apply to the Student Finance Office at your place of study. 🔗 BAföG-Amt

- Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship) – €300 per month, regardless of income, for good academic performance and community involvement. Applications are accepted once a year via the RPTU. 🔗 Zum Deutschlandstipendium

- Begabtenförderungswerke  (Organizations for the Promotion of Gifted Students) – 13 organisations (e.g. the Studienstiftung, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Hans Böckler Foundation) provide funding up to the maximum BAföG rate, which is non-repayable, plus non-financial support. 🔗 Overview

- Weitere RPTU-Stipendien  (Further RPTU scholarships )– e.g. contact grants, graduation grants, grants for single parents. 🔗 All RPTU-Programmes

- AStA-Sozialfonds  (AStA Social Fund) – An interest-free loan of up to €300 in the event of financial hardship through no fault of your own.

- Part-time job/work-study role – The traditional route: bear in mind the income limits and how this affects BAföG and scholarships.

The BAföG and Scholarships Department at the RPTU can answer any questions you may have about the right combination.