The purpose of the Final Examination is for the Student to show

• the ability to defend (argue intelligently for) their views expressed in the thesis against an expert in the field
• the extent of knowledge acquired in the fields of the main and subsidiary topics during their BA studies
• the ability to use English in a formal academic environment in front of a committee of 4 or 5 members

The final examination consists of three parts:

• defence of the thesis,
• elaboration of a question covering one aspect the main topic and
• elaboration of a question covering one aspect of the subsidiary topic
• the examiners also assess the candidates language performance

The main topic was duly recorded on the thesis title submission form by the Head of Department. It can only come from the subjects areas available in the candidate’s track (English or American) and must come from the (broad) subject area of the thesis. There are 12 questions in any one of the subject areas. The question that comes closest to the topic of the thesis may be removed from the pool of questions.

Note that all 12 questions of a subject area must be covered in the preparation for the Final Examination as it is the luck of the draw which decides which question will have to be elaborated upon. The topic that you draw may coincide with the subject matter of your thesis.

The subsidiary topic has to be put on record in the semester in which the candidate plans to take their final examination. Theoretically, the subsidiary topic can come from any of the subject areas of the two tracks (English and American), but we strongly suggest the candidate should choose from the track in which they have pursued their studies.

• grade of the thesis (the referee’s grade is thus made official by the Committee)
• defence of the thesis (the defence is based on the questions and remarks of the referee)
• main topic (the 12 questions come from the subject areas taught at BA level in the English and American tracks, he main topic must come from the candidate’s own track)
• subsidiary topic (the 12 questions come from the subject areas taught at BA level in the English and American tracks)
• language proficiency

The committee ascertains how adept the candidate is at forming opinions on academic matters in fluent and stylistically appropriate and adequate English in a formal environment. The grade is awarded by the head of committee on the recommendations of the members of the committee.

If any of the grades is insufficient (a fail, ‘1’), the final examination will be declared as failed. The final examination in the failed component(s) may be attempted the following semester at the earliest.

The degree certificate states the scale of achievement attained at the final examination. The average is calculated by the committee on the basis of the following 5 grades:

1. thesis
2. defence
3. main topic
4. subsidiary topic
5. language proficiency

The cumulative (or any other) average of the individual semesters is not taken into account for the grade of the degree certificate. The average will, however, show up in the detailed transcript of records that you will get alongside your degree certificate and diploma supplement.

The degree in BA in English and American Studies (English/American track) can only be conferred on those

• who have returned all University property (this is recorded using this form)
• who have no outstanding financial obligations (such as tuition fees) towards ELTE

The degree certificate will state both your achievement and the corresponding grade.

The candidate will receive a degree with honours if the following conditions are satisfied (as set out in par. 84, sec. 9 of the Organisational and Operational Regulations of ELTE):

• the result of the final examination is 5.00
• the result of the thesis, as well as the teaching practice/internship, proficiency examination(s), comprehensive examination(s) is 5 (excellent)
• the average of grades for all practical classes (seminars) and lectures in every semester is at least 4.51 and
• no grade received is below 4 (good).

In case of retakes attempted in the same semester, the original grade will be disregarded.

The BA degree in English and American Studies is equivalent to proficiency exam in English (‘felsőfokú C’) according to law (required for application to MA in English/American Studies).

[ under construction, until then, pls follow the links below ]

More information about thesis writing and final examinations:
BA Students: http://seaswiki.elte.hu/studies/BA/major/graduation
MA Students:
American studies: http://seaswiki.elte.hu/studies/MA/American/Graduation
English studies: http://seaswiki.elte.hu/studies/MA/English/graduation