afstudeerproject

An afstudeerproject, literally graduation project, is a capstone assignment that marks the completion of a degree program at Dutch-speaking higher education institutions. It is designed to apply theoretical knowledge to a concrete problem and to demonstrate professional competencies. Projects are typically undertaken by bachelor or master students and may be performed individually or in small teams, sometimes in partnership with an external organization.

Duration and scope: Most afstudeerprojects span several months, commonly three to nine months, and are aligned with the program’s learning outcomes. Topics cover fields such as engineering, ICT, design, social sciences, or business, among others. The work often includes research, design or prototype development, and testing, and may involve field work or industry collaboration.

Process and supervision: Students usually start with a topic or problem statement, followed by a project proposal, plan, and milestones. They perform a literature review, apply methods, develop a solution or evaluate processes, and document results. A supervisor from the university and, in many cases, a company supervisor provide guidance and evaluate progress.

Deliverables and assessment: The culmination is a final report and an oral presentation or defense. Deliverables may include a prototype, software, or data, along with code and documentation. Assessment combines the written report, the presentation, and often feedback from the external partner or client.

Relation to other terms: The term afstudeerproject is frequently used interchangeably with afstudeeropdracht or bachelor/master scriptie, depending on faculty. In some programs, the emphasis is more on applied project work than on theoretical research, distinguishing an afstudeerproject from a traditional thesis.