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.

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.

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 are missing more than 120 ECTS credits
If you wish to start your bachelor project but are missing more than 120 ECTS credits from your degree, your application must be submitted to the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science for review. This is because regulations dictate that the bachelor project must be placed in the programme's third year. Therefore, the agency, not DTU, will handle this type of exemption application.

If you wish to apply to the agency for an exemption, you must send an email from your DTU student email to studiedispensation@adm.dtu.dk.

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 master's thesis before meeting the prerequisites, you must upload an academically substantiated statement from your DTU main supervisor and a statement from your head of study. Both statements should explain whether it is academically justifiable for you to start the master's thesis before meeting the prerequisites.

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 are missing more than 60 ECTS credits
If you wish to start your master's thesis but are missing more than 60 ECTS credits from your degree, your application must be submitted to the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science for review. That is because regulations dictate that the master's thesis must be placed in the programme's second year. Therefore, the agency, not DTU, will handle this type of exemption application.

If you wish to apply to the agency for an exemption, you must send an email from your DTU student email to studiedispensation@adm.dtu.dk.

Do you have questions or need guidance?

If you have questions or need guidance, remember you can always contact the Study Guidance at DTU.