Degree projects – a cooperation between SLU and the external society

Last changed: 18 September 2023

A degree project that is conducted in cooperation between students and employers outside the university provides good development opportunities for both parties. It also involves a degree of commitment for all those involved. When you have read this information, you will have a better understanding of what a degree project entails, how it benefits you and what is expected of you.

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What is a degree project (independent project)?

A degree project:

  • runs for a period of either 10 weeks (15 credits) or 20 weeks (30 credits) at the end of an educational programme;
  • poses well-defined questions that match the timeframe;
  • can be based on a question, a hypothesis or a problem;
  • is always a course at SLU and is, therefore, subject to examination.

At the beginning of the course/project, all the involved parties should be aware of what is required of them to ensure that the student can fulfil the goals of the course (pass the course).

What does a degree project (independent project) entail?

  • Students normally work independently or in pairs.
  • In cases where students do the work outside SLU and have an external supervisor, there shall also be a principal supervisor at SLU, who is responsible for ensuring that the work is done according to SLU guidelines and the current course syllabus, as well as within the set timeframes. An agreement between SLU and the external part is written.
  • The students shall independently identify, analyse and solve problems within given frameworks , and evaluate solutions that lead to a result.
  • The work is then presented in a paper written in Swedish or English.
  • Students can do their degree project (independent project) in Sweden or abroad.
  • At the end of the course, the students also present their work orally during a public seminar at which the procedure, the different parts of the paper and its conclusions are discussed. The seminar is announced so that other students, SLU staff and other interested parties can participate.
    - A presentation can also take place at the premises of the project assigner on special agreement.
  • All papers shall be published in the SLU publication database, Epsilon.

Confidentiality

The university is subject to the right-of-access principle, and is therefore regulated by the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act. The project assigner cannot, therefore, prevent the work being made public.

If the work contains confidential information, the problem can be overcome by the student compiling two papers: one without the confidential information as the degree paper, and the other including the confidential information such as test data and personal identification numbers. The paper that is published must be sufficiently substantial to qualify for a degree.

Insurance

All students at SLU are covered by the personal injury insurance for students. The insurance is valid in Sweden during the hours the student is at the university, as well as for travel to and from the place of tuition. The insurance is also valid when the student spends time at a place of work in order to carry out a degree project, as well as for travel to and from the place of work, provided the project has been approved by the university.

Remuneration

If a student receives remuneration from the project assigner (SLU or external), this is then arranged through an agreement between the student and the project assigner.

For you, the cooperation entails:

  • The opportunity to carry out a project jointly with one or more students and researchers/lecturers at SLU.
  • An insight into the knowledge and proficiency of present-day students.
  • A meaningful contribution from one or more students with extensive and new knowledge from their education.
  • Contact with potential future employees.

What is expected of you:

  • A project proposal that can be completed in 10 or, alternatively, 20 weeks.
  • A work plan drawn up in cooperation with the students and SLU supervisor.
  • Some supervision during the project period.
  • Permission to publish the paper and, as early as the planning stage, reach agreement on the processing of any possible business secrets.

For students, the cooperation entails:

  • An interesting and stimulating assignment for their degree projects.
  • The opportunity to gain valuable experience and knowledge of the working world.
  • An insight into the profession, and new contacts that can form a bridge between study and employment.