The content of a project course is agreed upon between the student(s) and a DTU supervisor. The DTU supervisor registers the project course in the project registration system (Projektindberetningssystemet).
The supervisor for B Eng students must be an employee holding a permanent position at DTU; assistant professors are exempt from this.
As for BSc and MSc students, the supervisor must be a member of the scientific staff with research obligations and hold a permanent position at DTU (assistant professors exempted). An exemption from the requirement for research obligation may be granted by the relevant BSc or MSc Head of Studies.
The ECTS credit for a project course ranges from 5 to 30 ECTS credits with intervals of 2.5 credits. 5 ECTS credits correspond to around three weeks of full-time study. In exceptional cases, it is possible to take a project course corresponding to 2.5 ECTS credits, for example, if the course constitutes the final element of the programme. In such a case, the lecturer must contact the Office for Study Programmes and Student Affairs to register for the course.
The student must always be aware of whether there are restrictions in the curriculum for the student's field of study on how many ECTS credits can be used for project courses.
The project period for a project course cannot extend six months. The agreement regarding a project course is binding on both parties. Still, it can be changed according to an agreement between the parties. The project course must be documented in a report or similar.
If a student does not pass a project course, a re-exam of the course can be offered. That is agreed upon between the supervisor and the student. In the event of a disagreement as to whether a re-exam is to be held, the department board of studies must decide the case after an inquiry from the student or supervisor. The student can always plead for the right to three examination attempts in the course.
Projects in cooperation with a company (project-based exams)
A project course can be carried out entirely or partially with a company in Denmark or abroad (called a project-based exam). The academic content, learning objectives as well as the form of assessment and grading must be agreed upon with a DTU supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the project has a sufficient academic/theoretical level. The ECTS credit total is based only on the expected project workload, which means that the duration of a possible internship with the company is not credit awarding.
The students are responsible for finding a company, but many departments have contact with several companies. Students can visit DTU Career Hub which is a matchmaking site that makes it easier for businesses, students, and DTU employees to get in touch with each other.
In connection with an unpaid project-based course, BSc and MSc students may receive recognition from appreciation from the company of a maximum of DKK 3,286 a month (2022-level). It is voluntary for the company to give an acknowledgment. The acknowledgment is not granted as a predetermined income, which the student can expect to receive in the same way as a salary. The student must not be included as a labourer during his/her stay in the company.
Project proposals
Students are recommended to draw up a project proposal to be signed jointly by the student, the supervisor, and the company since all three parties must agree on the project.
The project proposal should describe the most important aspects related to the project: project title, specific project tasks, expected work effort and hours/time of arrival, duration of the stay in the company, whether the student will be provided with office space, what equipment will be made available, etc. If the company requires confidentiality and rights to use the project, the company can write separate agreements with the student and DTU.
At each department, there is a person responsible for contracts whom the project supervisor can contact. The project supervisor can find an overview of persons responsible for contracts at each department on DTU Inside under https://www.inside.dtu.dk/en/medarbejder/forskning-innovation-og-raadgivning/forskningssamarbejde-jura-og-kontraktforhold/for-forskere. The contract responsible at the departments can find templates for different contract types on DTU Inside, i.a. a collaboration agreement for exam projects and a declaration from students participating in a research project.
Insurance
During an internship with a company in connection with a project, the insurance taken out by Polyteknisk Forening (PF student association) does not provide cover. See DTU Inside under ‘Study rules'/'Insurance for students’.