Once you have formed a project group, you need to define a problem together that you want to examine. The problem forms the basis of your project and you are to a great extent responsible for defining this yourselves within a set though often very broad theme frame. The project work is completed with an exam. While working on your project, you will also need to do individual exams in your subjects.

The project work together with lectures, literature and cooperation with the corporate sector will help you gain a deeper insight into the subject you are examining than if you had been working on your own.

The project work gives you an opportunity to put theoretical knowledge into practice. Often, students at AAU do their project work in cooperation with different enterprises. Just imagine how exciting it is to work with, for instance, a satellite or an advertising campaign in practice. When you work with problems from the ‘real world’, you reap business experience and perhaps also make good contacts that you can use when applying for a job.

You can find project cooperations in the AAU Jobbank. Even though you might not find the job ad that is 100 % relevant consider using the ad as inspiration when looking for another company cooperation or try to convince the company of your idea. You do not get paid for your work, however, valuable experience and future networks is time worth spent.

For each project, you will be assigned a supervisor, i.e. a professor or another academic member of staff who will guide you in your project work. However, the group has the overall responsibility for defining and writing the project.

You will arrange your own supervision meetings with you supervisor. Be aware that, naturally, you do not have an unlimited number of supervision hours available.

If in doubt about anything, please do ask your supervisor. The relationship between supervisors/teachers and students at AAU is very informal and usually staff and students are on first-name term with each other.

Access to articles and literature is vital when you do your project work. In Aalborg, AAU has a large central library (AUB) as well as a number of small subject-specific libraries located across the university. The libraries are well-stocked with regard to electronic editions of recognised journals as well as dissertations, books from the University’s own press, common literature etc. AUB is very popular both as a library and a place of work particularly for international students.

Group examination at AAU is used when students are tested in their project work. Group examinations are a natural extension and conclusion to your project work. During the examination, you and your group mates will each make a small presentation, and you will each be tested individually.

Although you will be evaluated on the basis of your individual performances, being examined alongside your group mates can add more perspectives to discussions and you can supplement and support each other during the examination.

The group work ensures a great variety of approaches and perspectives, which results in a sound and thoroughly prepared project. Together, you are able to discuss the details thoroughly. At the same time, you are able to solve larger and more complex problems than if you were studying on an individual basis. Each of you has the opportunity to shape the project because group work requires that everyone contributes. If you have any academic questions you may also discuss these with your friends in the group.

During group work you will quickly realise that you might have different opinions about how to solve a problem. Group work means that you have to compromise and you will learn a lot about how to cooperate. Group work is very popular on the modern labour market so both you and your future workplace will benefit from the skills in cooperation you have acquired at AAU.

When you work in a group you spend quite some time together and you will quickly get to know your fellow students. You plan your own work hours, which makes it possible to do other things apart from project work. Group work gives you a chance to meet new friends with whom you can go to the cinema or a café in your spare time. If you prefer working on your own, this is also possible. Project work in groups throughout your entire education is not a requirement at AAU.

A large part of Aalborg University consists of group rooms where you can meet up and discuss your project. However, you must be prepared to share the room with other groups as the number of group rooms at AAU is not unlimited. Usually, this does not cause any problems and in some cases it might actually help inspire your project work. It is up to you how often you want to use the group room – presupposing, of course, that it is vacant. You may also choose to hold work meetings at home or at Aalborg University Library, AUB, which is very popular amongst international students.

At AAU you will attend several lectures. You are responsible for your own learning and so, attending the lectures is a good idea. Depending on what you study, the teaching form may span from seminars to laboratory work and typically you will be taught by a lecturer. During a semester, you will have 2 to 6 series of lectures each consisting of up to 15 lectures.

A distinction is made between two types of lectures : Project unit courses and study unit courses.

During project unit courses, you and your group can find inspiration for your project if you are finding it difficult to decide on a topic and a problem. The series of lectures falls within the overall theme of the individual semester and gives you an insight into a specific subject. The lecturer will go over e.g. methods and theories that you can use in the project.

The study unit courses give you a more general basic knowledge within your subject area and provide breadth in your education. Sometimes the lecturer might encourage you and your fellow students to actively participate in the teaching, for instance, by doing a presentation. This is a very educational experience and therefore an opportunity you should embrace.

At AAU you will be presented with the most recent scientific knowledge within the different research areas and you are taught by dedicated lecturers. Teaching at AAU is research-based as your lecturers conduct research in the subject area that they teach. Therefore, the educational material often comprises articles from current journals. If you have any academic questions, just ask your lecturer.

During your studies, you will get a chance to hear more about how the theories and methods you are being taught can be used in practice. Some teachers at AAU invite people from e.g. the corporate sector to do guest lectures. On other occasions, the University will hold conferences etc. where you can hear a 'guru' within your subject area. These opportunities should never be missed.