On these pages, we have compiled the most relevant information about project collaboration with companies. This applies to information about types of collaborative projects, process and relevant templates for confidentiality agreements, partnerships, etc.
Types of Project Collaboration
As a student, you may need to collaborate with companies during your study programme. This may be in connection with specific courses such as project work or as a part of the Master's thesis work.
We distinguish between collaboration in the context of courses and collaboration with companies in connection with the Master's thesis. For Master's thesis, the student should agree and co-ordinate collaboration with the supervisor.
There are also different approaches to business collaboration in specific courses. There are courses where the collaboration resembles a case study, i.e. students study how the company works with e.g. development methods or knowledge sharing, and there is project collaboration in which students work on an issue in the company with a view to proposing a solution. For the last type of collaboration, the exam may focus on the reporting of the process and/or a description of the proposed solution.
As a student, you may need to collaborate with companies during your study programme. The typical cases are:
Collaboration in a specific course: There are also different approaches to business collaboration in specific courses. There are courses where the collaboration resembles a case study, i.e. students study how the company works with e.g. development methods or knowledge sharing, and there is project collaboration in which students work on an issue in the company with a view to proposing a solution. For the last type of collaboration, the exam may focus on the reporting of the process and/or a description of the proposed solution. The type of collaboration and the company's role are defined by the course responsible and the course description.
Vocational training project. Collaborative project with a company under the supervision of an academic supervisor from the university and a project supervisor at the enterprise. The project is based on issues relevant to the company. The vocational training Project corresponds to 10 ECTS. Read more in the course description.
Bachelor’s project and Master’s thesis You can also choose to write your bachelor's and Master's thesis in collaboration with a company. You are responsible for co-ordination with the company and the supervisor for the assignment.
What | Responsibility | When |
---|---|---|
Find a company and a principal supervisor at AU which will be part of the project | Student | Before the project |
Create a contract for vocational training projects via the Project Generator | Student | Before the project |
Examine the need for a further supplementary contract (Fast Track), confidentiality agreement and Copyright agreement | Student | Before the project |
Approve the contract | Principal supervisor | Before the project |
Approve the contract | Course Coordinator | At project start |
Submit project report via digital exam | Student | December / June |
Arrangere dato + censor for Arrange the date + co-examiner for oral examination with external co-examination | Course Coordinator | January / June |
The first step is to contact a company with whom you would like to do a project. The best thing is to take the initiative yourself. Familiarize yourself with what they are working with and contact them to find out whether they are interested in doing a project with you. Afterwards, you will find an internal supervisor at AU. If you have trouble identifying a relevant supervisor, you are welcome to contact the course coordinator.
An other approach may be to first contact a potential supervisor at AU and possibly use his or her network to come into contact with a company that works with topics that are related to the supervisor's research area.
Together with your internal and external supervisor, you must define a project that provides the following competencies:
The internal project supervisor must ensure the necessary academic skills and learning during the project period:
When students collaborate with a company, it is important to take into account the agreement with the company and the requirements in relation to courses, exams and the Master's thesis.
In agreements about the co-operation, the student should ensure that there is a mutual understanding of the framework for the collaboration, so that the company and the student agree on the scope of the collaboration, confidentiality and other agreements, and that all parties understand that the collaboration must accommodate the students ' obligations and work in relation to courses, exams and Master's thesis. Sometimes, supplementary contracts must be drawn up (Fast Track standard contract). This should always be done in dialogue with the Technology Transfer Office (TTO).
When one or more students complete a project in collaboration with a company, an agreement should be drawn up with a description of what has been agreed on. A supplementary contract may sometimes be necessary. For example, you will probably need to sign a written agreement in connection with projects where the students work closely with the company's product development. If, on the other hand, it is only a case of interviews or surveys, there is usually no need for a written agreement.
In general, the following applies:
Students are entitled to dispose their own work in accordance with applicable regulations and practice in the field. However, a specific agreement with a company may lead to a change in the student's legal position.
Unless otherwise agreed, the publication of the written work may not take place without the students’ informed consent.
In connection with the conclusion of agreements between company and student, the company may decide to use ideas and project results free of charge to the students.