Afstudeervlak

Afstudeervlak is a Dutch term used in higher education to designate the field or domain within which a student completes the final graduation project or thesis (afstudeeropdracht). The afstudeervlak defines the scope and focus of the graduation work and is closely aligned with the program’s learning outcomes and assessment criteria. It can correspond to a specialization, track, or subject area within a study program and may be practical, theoretical, or a combination of both.

Selection and supervision: The afstudeervlak is usually chosen in consultation with a supervisor and the program's study adviser. It is commonly constrained by the department's offered topics, available supervisors, and the program's research or professional themes. Students often select an afstudeervlak that supports their career goals or aligns with industry partner projects.

Relation to the final assignment: The afstudeervlak provides the frame for the afstudeeropdracht, including the research questions, methodology, and deliverables. The assessment plan typically specifies how the quality of the afstudeervlak-related work will be judged and how it maps to the program's learning outcomes.

Examples and terminology: Across institutions, equivalent concepts exist, such as afstudeerrichting, specialisatie, or afstudeerproject, which may share similar aims but use different naming. The exact definition of an afstudeervlak can vary by program, faculty, and university.

Note: The term is primarily used in Dutch-language higher education contexts and may not be used uniformly across all programs or institutions.