Thesis & exams
INFORMATION ON FINAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Academic Year 2026/2027, II (Fall) Semester
1) The Final Examination
Conditions for admission to the final examination:
-
Obtaining the absolutorium (pre-degree certificate);
-
A thesis that has undergone formal assessment (review).
Conditions for obtaining the pre-degree certificate:
The total number of credits to be accumulated for the master’s degree is 120 credits, of which:
-
Compulsory courses: 94 credits
-
Credits allocated to thesis preparation: 10 credits
-
Credits to be completed in the group of elective courses: 12 credits
-
Compulsory elective professional language course: 4 credits
(From the compulsory elective professional language course group specified in the curriculum, any two of the courses Professional Language I–II–III–IV–V must be completed.)
Components of the final examination:
-
Successful defence of the thesis;
-
Oral complex final examination.
The final examination is a two-part exam taken in a single sitting. Its duration is on average 30 minutes per student.
a) First part – Thesis defence
The first part consists of the defence of the thesis that has already been reviewed and the determination of its assessment. The Final Examination Committee awards a separate five-grade mark for the dissertation. During the defence, the candidate must present the main theses of the work orally in a maximum of 10 minutes and answer the questions of the reviewer and the Committee.
b) Second part – Oral complex examination
The Committee assigns a complex public policy task to the candidate, which is based on the competencies acquired in the courses listed in the model curriculum. The list of complex public policy tasks is set out in Annex 1.
The tasks:
-
Contain a current, Hungary-related, fictitious governmental public policy case, the adequate solution and oral presentation of which is the task of the candidate;
-
Include governmental, public administration, economic, organisational and leadership issues in a complex manner;
-
Allow at least 20 minutes of preparation time on site for the solution during the final examination;
-
May be prepared for using a notebook and internet access;
-
Must be presented in a 5–7 minute oral presentation, followed by answers to questions raised by the Committee.
The task is open-ended and may have multiple possible solutions; there is no “solution formula” and no “single correct answer”. No specific textbook or supplementary literature is assigned to the final examination questions.
The purpose of the oral complex examination is to assess the competencies to be evaluated, in particular:
-
Practical application of the knowledge and skills acquired during the master’s studies;
-
Problem-solving and analytical skills;
-
Logical structure of the professional opinion and correct use of technical terminology;
-
Clear communication and reasoning with professionals.
Criteria for assessing the oral examination:
On the basis of the competencies assessed, the Committee considers whether the student is, compared to the level expected from a graduate Master in Governance and Leadership, sufficiently / moderately / well or excellently (or insufficiently) prepared, with particular regard to the performance of leadership tasks in governmental administration and public administration.
Method of determining the final examination result
Pursuant to the Study and Examination Regulations (TVSZ), the grade of the final examination is the arithmetic mean of the grades received. If an insufficient (fail) grade is given for any examination component, the final examination is assessed as failed. In the case of a final examination consisting of several components, each component must be assessed with a separate grade.
The result of the final examination is the simple arithmetic mean of its partial results, as follows:
ZvO¨=(Dm+Zv)/2ZvO¨=(Dm+Zv)/2
That is, the overall result of the final examination is the simple arithmetic mean of the grade awarded for the thesis and the grade awarded for the oral part of the final examination. A successful final examination may not be improved.
2) The Thesis
Students enrolled in the master’s programme must prepare a thesis as defined in the programme and graduation requirements. The thesis is a piece of written work corresponding to the qualification, on a task that can be completed within one semester through independent work under the guidance of a supervisor or consultant. It demonstrates that the student has acquired proficiency in the practical application of the knowledge learned, in the professional summarisation of the work carried out and the results achieved, in the creative solution of tasks related to the topic, and in performing independent work corresponding to the qualification. The student earns credits for completing the thesis preparation course. Submission and defence of the thesis is not a precondition for obtaining the absolutorium (but it is a precondition for taking the final examination).
Thesis topic selection is carried out via the Neptun unified study system within the time interval specified in the academic calendar. During the preparation of the thesis, the student is required to consult with the supervisor or consultant assisting them at least three times—with written confirmation—and to submit the completed thesis for checking using plagiarism detection software. Only theses that have undergone such checking may be admitted to defence. Submission of the completed theses takes place via the Neptun system. The deadline for submission is 30 November for the winter final examination period and 30 April for the summer final examination period. (If these dates fall on a public holiday, the thesis must be uploaded by 14:00 on the next working day.) If the student does not submit the thesis by this date, they may not take the final examination in the following final examination period. Thesis submission is deemed valid when, together with the thesis, the student has fully submitted (uploaded) the documents specified in Chapter VII of Annex 5 to the Study and Examination Regulations.
-
Credits allocated to thesis preparation: 10 credits
-
Thesis course code: ÁKVMDM001, Thesis Preparation, 10 credits
The procedure for preparing the thesis and its substantive and formal requirements are otherwise laid down in the Study and Examination Regulations.
3) The Diploma
Issuance of the diploma is subject to successful completion of the final examination.
Determining the classification of the diploma
The classification of the diploma is the simple average of the following:
a) the overall result of the final examination (ZvÖ)
b) the average of the weighted term grade point averages of the completed semesters (expressed to two decimal places):
Diploma classification=(ZvO¨+(Aˊ1+…+Aˊn)/n)/2Diploma classification=(ZvO¨+(Aˊ1+…+Aˊn)/n)/2
The classification of the diploma is determined on the basis of the following thresholds, where the value calculated according to the above method is:
a) outstanding (kitűnő), if the average is 5.00
b) excellent (jeles), if the average is between 4.51 and 4.99
c) good (jó), if the average is between 3.51 and 4.50
d) satisfactory (közepes), if the average is between 2.51 and 3.50
e) pass (elégséges), if the average is at least 2.00 but not more than 2.50.
A student graduates with distinction if their diploma classification is outstanding. A student also graduates with distinction if their diploma classification is excellent and the average of all their other examination and practical grades is at least 4.51.
Budapest, 2024
Annex 1
SET OF TASKS FOR THE FINAL EXAMINATION COMMITTEE
-
In the competent Hungarian ministry, a policy concept is being prepared according to which, in future, competence development and further training organised for employees in all state bodies, including budgetary institutions and state-owned enterprises, would have to be procured through a centralised public procurement procedure conducted by a central office. You are requested as an expert to prepare a SWOT assessment of the new regulatory concept, identifying its potential advantages and disadvantages of the centralised model from the perspective of the state and the public interest. Prepare for the first planning meeting.
-
In the competent ministry, a regulatory concept is being prepared on transforming the public servant status of those employed in teaching positions at state-maintained budgetary institutions into employment governed by labour law (Act I of 2012 on the Labour Code). You are requested as an expert to assess the public policy advantages and risks of the proposal. Prepare your questions and considerations for the first planning meeting.
-
In the Ministry of Interior, a concept is being prepared under which state-maintained public education institutions may be transferred to the maintenance of the local government of the municipality where they operate, upon request by the local representative body. You are requested in the Ministry of Interior as an expert to reflect on the public policy advantages, risks and boundary conditions of decentralisation and to support the preparation of the concept. Prepare for the first ministerial meeting.
-
In the competent ministry, a concept is being prepared in 2022 under which the Hungarian Government would take over the maintenance and operation of public lighting services currently maintained by local governments. You are requested as an expert to justify what public service problems, economic changes and other macro-level and local circumstances may warrant governmental intervention. Your task is to think through the boundary conditions of the measure and the preparation of negotiations with local governments. Prepare for the first ministerial meeting.
-
In the competent Hungarian ministry, a concept is being prepared according to which, in future, communication services in all state bodies, including budgetary institutions and state-owned enterprises, would have to be procured through a centralised public procurement procedure conducted by a central office. You are requested as an expert to prepare a SWOT assessment of the new regulatory concept, identifying its potential advantages and disadvantages of the centralised model from the perspective of the state and the public interest. Prepare for the first planning meeting.
-
In the competent ministry, a regulatory concept is being prepared in 2023 under which document office (administrative document) functions would be transferred from the district offices to the competence of notaries (jegyző), while civil registry administration functions would be transferred from notaries to the district offices. You are requested as an expert to assess the advantages and risks of the proposal and are invited to the ministry for the first planning meeting. Prepare for the first ministerial meeting.
-
In the competent ministry, a regulatory concept is being prepared under which the public servant status of those employed in teaching positions at state-maintained universities would be transformed into employment governed by labour law (Act I of 2012 on the Labour Code). You are requested as an expert to assess the public policy advantages and risks of the proposal. Prepare your questions and considerations for the first planning meeting.
-
In the Ministry of Agriculture, a regulatory concept is being prepared in 2023 under which, in future, territorial forestry directorate tasks would not be performed as tasks of county government offices, but within independent county forestry directorates under the direction and supervision of the Minister of Agriculture. You are requested as an expert to assess the advantages and risks of the proposal and are invited to the ministry for the first planning meeting. Prepare for the first ministerial meeting.
-
In the Ministry of Interior, a concept is being prepared according to which the National Hospital Directorate-General may transfer a state-maintained hospital to the maintenance of the local government of the municipality where it operates, upon request by the local representative body. You are requested in the Ministry of Interior as an expert to reflect on the public policy advantages, risks and boundary conditions of decentralisation and to support the preparation of the concept. Prepare for the first ministerial meeting.
-
A city with county rights intends to build and operate a swimming pool. Neither the local government nor the Government has budgeted resources for the construction of the pool. The mayor invites the Government Commissioner (főispán), the representative of the competent ministry and financially strong local entrepreneurs to the first planning meeting. The mayor requests you to propose a possible PPP model for financing, construction, operation and management. Prepare for the first planning meeting.
-
The head of the Kőszeg District Office has set the objective of enhancing and developing organisational and operational efficiency. You are requested as an expert to define criteria on the basis of which a local public administration office can plan more efficient operation. Prepare for the first planning meeting.
-
In the competent ministry, a concept is being prepared in 2022 under which the Hungarian Government would take over the maintenance and operation of water utility services currently maintained by local governments. You are requested as an expert to justify what public service problems, environmental trends, economic changes and other macro-level and local circumstances may warrant governmental intervention. Your task is to think through the boundary conditions of the measure and the preparation of negotiations with local governments. Prepare for the first planning meeting.
-
The minister responsible for supervising the National Central Procurement Office plans to develop a system for the regular assessment of the performance of the leaders working at the Office. You are requested as an expert to define criteria and provide advice to the ministry for designing the performance evaluation system for the leaders of the central office.
-
The head of the National Strategic Planning Central Office plans to develop the internal integrity management system of the office. You are requested as an expert to define criteria and provide advice for designing the integrity management system. Prepare for the first planning meeting.
-
In the competent ministry, a regulatory concept is being prepared under which the public servant status of those employed in kindergarten teacher positions at local government-maintained kindergartens would be transformed into employment governed by labour law (Act I of 2012 on the Labour Code). You are requested as an expert to assess the public policy advantages and risks of the proposal. Prepare your questions and considerations for the first planning meeting.
-
In the ministry responsible for transport, a regulatory concept is being prepared in 2023 under which, in future, territorial transport supervisory tasks would not be performed as tasks of county government offices, but within independent county transport supervisory directorates under the direction and supervision of the minister responsible for transport. You are requested as an expert to assess the advantages and risks of the proposal and are invited to the ministry for the first planning meeting.
-
In the competent Hungarian ministry, a concept is being prepared according to which, in future, IT services and equipment procurements in all state bodies, including budgetary institutions and state-owned enterprises, would have to be procured through a centralised public procurement procedure conducted by a state central office. You are requested as an expert to prepare a SWOT assessment of the new regulatory concept, identifying its potential advantages and disadvantages of the centralised model from the perspective of the state and the public interest. Prepare for the first planning meeting.
-
The head of the National Concessions Office, an autonomous state administration body, instructs staff to draw up a professional ethical code. You are requested as an expert to provide advice on developing an internal professional ethics system and regulation. Prepare for the first planning meeting.
-
The Government Commissioner (főispán) of the Vas County Government Office requests the Director General to develop an office strategy for the period 2023–2026. The Director General requests you as an expert to provide advice at the first strategic planning meeting on developing a medium-term office strategy. Prepare for the first planning meeting.
-
The management of the county government office intends to organise the legal regulatory and legal administrative tasks of the legal department by contracting an external legal service provider. The Director General requests you as an expert to formulate criteria and advice on the advantages and risks of outsourcing. Prepare for the first planning meeting.
-
The Government Commissioner of the Veszprém County Government Office requests the Director General to develop a cybersecurity guideline. The Director General requests you as an expert to provide advice at the first planning meeting on developing the cybersecurity guideline. Prepare for the first planning meeting.
-
The local government of the municipality (or district) where you reside intends to draw up a medium-term environmental sustainability plan. The mayor requests you as an expert to provide advice at the first planning meeting on preparing the plan. Prepare for the first planning meeting.
-
The head of the National Planning Central Office plans to develop the internal system for measuring civil servants’ performance within the office. You are requested as an expert to define criteria and provide advice for designing the performance evaluation system.
-
The minister responsible for higher education is preparing a concept under which the maintaining rights and assets of state universities under their supervision would be transferred by law from state maintenance to the maintenance of foundations established by the State. The question arises as to what advantages and risks may be associated with transferring institutions from state maintenance, the state budget and state assets to foundation maintenance, from the perspective of the interests of the State and the public interest. The minister requests you as an expert to provide advice at the first planning meeting on preparing the proposal.
-
Briefly present the situation of domestic digital public services on the basis of the European Commission’s DESI Index. Analyse and briefly assess Hungary’s performance, its possible causes, and make proposals for measures required to achieve progress.
-
A city with county rights intends to build and operate a theatre. Neither the local government nor the Government has budgeted resources for the construction and operation of the theatre. The mayor invites the Government Commissioner, the representative of the competent ministry and financially strong local entrepreneurs to the first planning meeting. The mayor requests you to propose a possible PPP model for financing, construction, operation and management. Prepare for the first planning meeting.
-
The management of the county government office intends to organise the tasks of the communications department by contracting an external communications company. With regard to the advantages and risks of outsourcing, the Director General requests you as an expert to formulate criteria and advice.
More about the Final exam: