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Final year projects
The final year project is the culmination of the degree – it gives students a chance to demonstrate all they have learned. The project module is very different from other modules. Although students are supervised, the onus is on the student to define the problem boundaries, to investigate possible solutions, and to present the results in writing, verbally and in action. Apart from an initial briefing session there are no formal lectures to attend. Teaching consists of regular individual/small group meetings to discuss progress. For assessment, students submit reports of their progress and final results, and give in-person presentations and demonstrations of their work.
The project tests students' ability to:
- design, engineer and evaluate quality systems
- research their chosen subject area
- make good decisions
- overcome unforeseen problems
- work within constraints of limited resources
- work to a professional code of conduct
- communicate technical concepts both orally and in writing.
To be successful, students need to plan, estimate and manage their time and energy. These pages explain what is expected of both students and supervisors, and how projects will be assessed.
Ethical Guidelines
Every student should have a discussion with their supervisor about the ethical implications of their research. This discussion should take place early on in the project. There will be three possible outcomes of this discussion:
- no ethical review or user testing compliance form required;
- user testing form required; or
- ethical review required.
If your project involves the collection of data from human participants (and/or use of already collected data from human participants), then you will need either an ethical compliance form or an ethical review. Please read the School's research governance guidance for projects and discuss what form of ethical approval you require with your supervisor.
PLEASE NOTE: following the compliance procedure and/or obtaining ethical clearance are essential; failure to do so when necessary will have serious consequences for the admissibility of a project.