Starting final projects before meeting the requirements
Here you can read about the rules for starting the diploma engineering project, the bachelor project, and the master's thesis before the prerequisites are met.
Starting the diploma engineering project before meeting the requirements
Your study programme, which you can find at https://studieinformation.dtu.dk/diplomingenioer, outlines the requirements for starting your diploma engineering project. Please note the information is only available in Danish.
You must apply for an exemption if you wish to start your diploma engineering project before meeting the necessary prerequisites. In your exemption application, explain why the project cannot be postponed until you have met the prerequisites. You should attach documentation for the circumstances you describe in your application where possible.
Documents to upload with your exemption application
When applying for an exemption to start your diploma engineering project before meeting the prerequisites, you must upload an academically substantiated statement from your DTU main supervisor for your diploma engineering project and a statement from your head of study. Both statements should explain whether it is academically justifiable for you to start the diploma engineering project before meeting the prerequisites.
Your main supervisor must explain why starting the project before fulfilling the prerequisites is not an issue for the project itself. Your supervisor must also explain why postponing the project until you have fulfilled the prerequisites is impossible.
If you have not found a supervisor yet, you must mention this in your exemption application so that the Board of Exemptions knows why you have not included a statement from your supervisor.
Your head of study must explain why starting the project before fulfilling the prerequisites is not an issue for the project itself and why it is not possible to postpone the project until after you have fulfilled the prerequisites.
Your head of study must also consider and assess your overall options for completing your programme.
Note!
If you start your project without meeting all the prerequisites and without being granted an exemption, the Office for Study Programmes and Student Affairs will cancel your project in the project registration system. The same will happen if your exemption application is denied.
You must apply for exemption via DTU's exemption system.
Starting the bachelor project before meeting the requirements
Your study programme, which you can find here: https://studieinformation.dtu.dk/bachelor, outlines the requirements for starting your bachelor project.
When applying for an exemption to start your bachelor project before meeting the prerequisites (e.g., the scientific project), you must upload an academically substantiated statement from your DTU main supervisor for your bachelor project and a statement from your head of study. Both statements should explain whether it is academically justifiable for you to start the bachelor project before meeting the prerequisites.
Documents to upload with your exemption application
When applying for an exemption to start your bachelor project before meeting the prerequisites, you must upload an academically substantiated statement from your DTU main supervisor for your bachelor project and a statement from your head of study. Both statements should explain whether it is academically justifiable for you to start the bachelor project before meeting the prerequisites.
Your main supervisor must explain why starting the project before fulfilling the prerequisites is not an issue for the project itself. Your supervisor must also explain why postponing the project until you have fulfilled the prerequisites is impossible.
If you have not found a supervisor yet, you must mention this in your exemption application so that the Board of Exemptions knows why you have not included a statement from your supervisor.
Your head of study must explain why starting the project before fulfilling the prerequisites is not an issue for the project itself and why it is not possible to postpone the project until after you have fulfilled the prerequisites.
Your head of study must also consider and assess your overall options for completing your programme.
Note!
If you start your project without meeting all the prerequisites and without being granted an exemption, the Office for Study Programmes and Student Affairs will cancel your project in the project registration system. The same will happen if your exemption application is denied.
You must apply for exemption via DTU's exemption system.
If you have passed less than 120 ECTS credits
If you wish to start your bachelor project and have passed less than 120 ECTS on your degree, you cannot apply for an exemption to start the bachelor project. That is because regulations stipulate that the bachelor project must be placed in the programme's final year.
Starting the master's thesis before meeting the requirements
Your study programme, which you can find here: https://studieinformation.dtu.dk/english/master-of-science-in-engineering, outlines the requirements for starting your master's thesis.
You must apply for an exemption if you wish to start your master's thesis before meeting the necessary prerequisites. In your exemption application, you must explain why the project cannot be postponed until you meet the prerequisites. You should attach documentation for the circumstances you describe in your application where possible.
Documents to upload with your exemption application
When applying for an exemption to start your bachelor project before meeting the prerequisites, you must upload an academically substantiated statement from your DTU main supervisor for your bachelor project and a statement from your head of study. Both statements should explain whether it is academically justifiable for you to start the bachelor project before meeting the prerequisites.
Your main supervisor must explain why starting the project before fulfilling the prerequisites is not an issue for the project itself. Your supervisor must also explain why postponing the project until you have fulfilled the prerequisites is impossible.
If you have not found a supervisor yet, you must mention this in your exemption application so that the Board of Exemptions knows why you have not included a statement from your supervisor.
Your head of study must explain why starting the project before fulfilling the prerequisites is not an issue for the project itself and why it is not possible to postpone the project until after you have fulfilled the prerequisites.
Your head of study must also consider and assess your overall options for completing your programme.
Note!
If you start your project without meeting all the prerequisites and without being granted an exemption, the Office for Study Programmes and Student Affairs will cancel your project in the project registration system. The same will happen if your exemption application is denied.
You must apply for an exemption through DTU's exemption system.
If you have passed less than 60 ECTS credits
If you wish to start your master's thesis but have passed less than 60 ECTS credits on your degree, you cannot apply for an exemption to start the thesis. That is because regulations stipulate that the master's thesis must be placed in the programme's final year.
Do you have questions or need guidance?
If you have questions or need guidance, remember you can always contact the Study Guidance at DTU.