Study and Exam Aids

From March 13 to 23, 2026, you need to register for the Final Exam in Neptun.
Between March 23 and 31, 2026, you need to upload your Research Papers portfolio, which includes three papers.
As soon as possible, but no later than March 31, 2026, you must select the Research Paper you plan to defend, complete the Thesis Topic Report Form, and submit it to Ms. Anita Velősy.
By March 31, 2026, send your chosen Research Paper in PDF format to Anita Velősy via email.
The final examination period runs from May 26 to June 19, 2026.
The graduation ceremony will take place from July 1 to 3, 2026.

What needs to be uploaded to Neptun?

Upload a single file to Neptun that combines the three Research Practice papers (see exceptions below). Among these, one empirical paper—either questionnaire-based or experimental—must be clearly marked as the one intended for the defense. Only this selected paper will be evaluated, and the presentation derived from it must be delivered during the defense (Final Exam). The paper included in the portfolio does not need to be identical to the version submitted at the end of the Research Practice course. It is recommended to incorporate feedback received from the supervisor or the instructor of the Final Thesis seminar.

The title of your BA portfolio should follow this format: “Psychology BA Portfolio_{name of the supervisor}”
Please note that “supervisor” refers to the professor who supervised the empirical research paper you intend to present at the final exam (this is not the instructor of your Final Thesis course).

Please also remember to send a separate PDF containing only the empirical paper you plan to defend to Ms. Anita Velősy.

Is there a template that must be used to merge the three papers for the thesis submission?

No such template exists. The portfolio must encompass all necessary declarations, including the declaration of originality and the declaration of AI use (Appendix 4 or 5), that need to be attached to all three research papers, respectively. Please ensure each declaration is labeled with the corresponding title. It is advisable to label the document as “Research Practice Portfolio.”

Is it possible to defend a paper originally written outside the Research Practice courses, such as a TDK paper, and if so, how should it be incorporated into the portfolio?

Yes, it is possible. The only condition is that the paper must have a clearly identifiable supervisor who is either a lecturer–researcher at the Institute of Psychology or a student of the Psychology Doctoral School. Such papers, like TDK papers, must be included in the portfolio as a fourth paper, and the file uploaded to Neptun must contain the three Research Practice papers along with the fourth paper. For the version uploaded as the thesis, the title page of the TDK paper must include the student’s name and the supervisor’s name, in addition to the title of the paper, unlike the anonymized TDK submissions.

Is it possible for a research paper that has already been published with co-authors to be chosen as a thesis?

As the thesis is an individual endeavor, a co-authored publication is permissible only if the sole co-author, besides the graduating student, is the supervisor affiliated with the Institute. In such instances, a joint declaration must accompany the paper, detailing the division of labor between the authors and confirming that the paper has already been published.

What is the required length of the BA thesis?

The official minimum length for a BA thesis in psychology is set at 40,000 characters, encompassing the entire portfolio. As length requirements have evolved, the current standard dictates that the Research Practice paper chosen for evaluation and defense must contain between 25,000 and 45,000 characters (excluding spaces). This stipulation pertains solely to the main body of the text, excluding references, the title page, and similar elements. An exception is granted for TDK papers, which must be included unchanged to comply with TDK requirements.

Who should be designated as the supervisor for the thesis (defended Research Practice paper)?

The thesis supervisor is the lecturer–researcher who oversaw the writing of the Research Practice paper. This individual is distinct from the instructor of the Final Thesis seminar. For a TDK paper, the supervisor is specifically the TDK supervisor.

What technical equipment is required for the Final Exam?

The Institute provides the technical infrastructure for the Final Exam. Students are required to bring their presentations—whether in PowerPoint, Prezi, or PDF format—on a USB flash drive, ensuring they can be presented offline. These presentations must be uploaded to the laptop designated for the Final Exam prior to the morning or afternoon session, as indicated in the official invitation ("call letter") that will be sent in advance.

What is the structure of the Final Exam?

The Final Exam is an oral examination consisting of four parts:

1. Research Paper Presentation (15 minutes)

You will present your selected research paper using a presentation tool (e.g., PowerPoint, Prezi, Genially, Canva).
You may use cue cards during this part of the defense; however, it is recommended to present without notes for a more confident and natural delivery.

2. Discussion (5 minutes)

In the first discussion, the board may ask about any part of your research paper, including theory, hypotheses, methods, analyses, results, and discussion. If you anticipate specific questions, you can prepare extra slides to clarify your answers beyond the 15-minute limit.

3. Theoretical Topic Presentation (5 minutes)

This presentation is separate from your research defense.
Students should prepare a one-slide summary of their theoretical topic, which will be displayed at the end of their final exam presentation.
Since the time is limited, you are expected to present a concise outline of the topic and demonstrate a strong understanding of the theoretical material.
No additional materials (e.g., notes, cue cards) may be used during this part of the exam.

4. Discussion (5 minutes)

In the second discussion, the board may ask questions about the theoretical topic alone.

Evaluation Criteria → Download the Evaluation Guidelines here

You will receive separate grades (1–5 scale) for:

Defense of your research paper
Presentation of the theoretical topic

⚠ Failing either component results in no graduation for the current academic year. Retakes are permitted in the next semester.

What is the dress code for the Final Exam?

All students are required to wear formal and professional attire for the Final Exam. For male students, this typically includes a dress shirt and trousers (a suit or jacket is optional but recommended). Female students are likewise expected to dress in smart, professional clothing. Please ensure that your outfit reflects the formality of the occasion.

Is the theoretical topic related to the defended paper? Do I need to establish and present this connection?

In contrast to previous years, the theoretical topic is not linked to the defended Research Practice paper, and students are not required to establish or present any connection. Unlike the previous practice, theoretical topics are now assigned by the Head of the Program, rather than the former supervisor. Topics are assigned randomly, with the intention that the same topic is heard no more than twice in a single day. Although not obligatory, the Head of the Program may try to assign a topic that generally aligns with the scientific field of the thesis (e.g., a social psychology topic for a social psychology thesis). Students will be informed of their assigned theoretical topic at least two weeks before the final exam by Ms. Anita Velősy.

When will we be informed of the theoretical topic to be presented during the defense?

The theoretical topic for the defense will be announced concurrently with the thesis evaluation, and no later than two weeks before the defense. Students will learn about their assigned theoretical topic from Ms. Anita Velősy.

How is my final degree grade calculated?

Your final degree grade will be calculated as the mathematical average of the following:

Grade for the Theoretical Final Exam
Grade for the Defense Presentation
Average of the written evaluations of your chosen paper (by supervisor and reviewer)
Average of your Complex Exam grades
Weighted GPA of all completed courses during the BA program

What is a Medium of Instruction Certificate and how can I obtain one?

If you are considering applying for an MA program at another university that requires proof of English language proficiency, the Registrar’s Office can provide a Medium of Instruction Certificate to confirm that your studies were conducted in English. To request this certificate, please email student.humanities@pte.hu.

Pécsi Tudományegyetem | Kancellária | Informatikai és Innovációs Igazgatóság | Portál csoport - 2020.

Study and Exam Aids

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In the table below, you will find the topics and the corresponding literature of the Complex Exams.

Here you can download useful documents for your study and research:

Prior the Final Exam

Gyorslinkek