Research Project
Also known as: thesis (project)
The Research Project is by default performed at the Institute for Theoretical Physics (ITP). Other options are possible in consultation with a supervising ITP staff member.
Other options are possible in consultation with a supervising ITP staff member.
Structure Research Project
The Research Project is split into Part 1 and Part 2, which are performed in the same group and supervised by the same staff members:
- Part 1 (15 EC) constitutes the first 10 weeks of the project and is concluded with a Go/No-Go decision
- Part 2 (35 EC) constitutes the remaining 25 full-time weeks of the project and is concluded with writing a MSc thesis and giving a presentation about your work.
The splitting of the Research Project into two parts does not affect your day-to-day work but serves as a way to register the Go/No-Go decision receive intermediate EC. The EC indicated are for physics theses; TWIN theses amount to 60 EC.
The process starts in your second year by attending the overview presentation of research projects at ITP given in early September. Afterwards, you arrange discussions with staff members whose research interests you. You will have time until end of September to find a project. If you are starting your thesis in February, you should also attend the presentation in the preceding September but hold off on arranging with staff members until December/January.
Students can perform (part of) their project outside the Institute for Theoretical Physics, but only after approval by and under the formal supervision of a staff member of the Institute for Theoretical Physics. Please note: The student should discuss their intentions to run a project (partially) outside of the ITP with their project supervisor/first examiner first, before contacting another institution.
In the context of the 7.5 EC course “Theory for Technology” students can perform a small research project aimed at the intersection between theory and application, this is usually supervised by a researcher from the Technical University Eindhoven but can also take the form of an internship. Contact person: prof. Dr. Rembert Duine.
You can find information about getting started and about external or TWIN theses on the ‘Preparation’ page.
Thesis projects start either at the beginning of October or late February and end at the end of June or January; specific dates vary by calendar year and will be communicated by the programme manager.
In exceptional cases, it may be possible to start on a different date. The end of the research project is then 35 full-time weeks thereafter, excluding university holidays.
An (internship) contract is required if your project takes place outside UU, for example at a company.
Arrange the (internship) contract before submitting your application form in Osiris.
The contract has to be checked and signed by the Research Project Coordinators, Rebecca Puyk and Noor Weelink, on behalf of the UU via science.internshipcontracts@uu.nl. Once your contract has been checked and signed by the UU, you can upload it with your application form in Osiris (for more information on that, go to the page 'Preparation').
The contract options are as follows:
- The Universities of the Netherlands (UNL) contract (Dutch version/English version) is preferred for an external project inside the Netherlands.
- The EAIE contract is preferred for an external project outside of the Netherlands.
- The host organisation may have their own contract, provided that it meets the requirements of Utrecht University.
There can only be one contract, so please discuss this with the host organisation carefully. We advise students to first discuss their contract with their supervisor before signing.
Penalty clause (a fine)
The Faculty and Utrecht University strongly discourage signing an contract provided by an external organisation with a penalty clause (a fine).
Please be aware: We will not co-sign any contract which contains a penalty clause (fine).
Going abroad? You need to take these extra steps:
- If your project is outside of the Netherlands, you also have to do a Stay Abroad request in Osiris after receiving approval by the Board of Examiners. Information about this can be found on the webpage Internship abroad.
- Please read the whole page carefully. If you have questions, please contact the International Office. Be aware that arranging a project abroad takes time.
- You might find this checklist useful during the organisation of your traineeship abroad.
- It is important to check the travel advice for your destination given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please type in your destination on the website (in Dutch). If your country has orange or red areas your Stay Abroad request cannot be validated.
> Project supervisor/First examiner*:
The project supervisor/first examiner is - together with the second examiner - responsible for your assessment and registering your grade in Osiris. They must be an employee of UU (or UMCU) and a junior lecturer [junior docent], lecturer [docent], senior lecturer [hoofddocent] or full professor [hoogleraar]. The first examiner is responsible for ensuring the involvement of a second examiner.
> Second examiner:
Must also be a UU (or UMCU) employee and a junior lecturer [junior docent], lecturer [docent], senior lecturer [hoofddocent] or full professor [hoogleraar]. This person is not involved in your supervision but is - together with the first examiner - responsible for the final assessment and grading.
> Daily supervisor (optional):
This is the person who will supervise your day-to-day activities. Your daily supervisor can be the same person as your project supervisor/first examiner, but this does not necessarily need to be the case. Sometimes you can be supervised by a PhD student or someone outside the UU. When your project takes place outside UU the daily supervisor might be someone from the company/institute. Please note that an external supervisor cannot be an examiner.
*Students following a double degree master's programme will be co-supervised by two project supervisors/first examiners, one of each programme.
From 1 September 2025:
If you anticipate a delay in completing your Research Project, please follow the procedure below.
For two-year master’s programmes: please note that this only applies to an extension of the end date for Part 2. You do not need to submit an extension request for a delay in Part 1. However, you are expected to discuss a plan for the continuation of your project with your supervisor.
The protocol*
Please carefully read the entire delay protocol (pdf)*. Make sure to also discuss this document with your examiner(s).
Some important remarks:
- You must submit the extension request before the original end date.
- You can receive multiple extensions if necessary, but each extension has a maximum duration of three months.
- If the end date is exceeded and you did not submit an extension request, you lose the right to graduate cum laude.
Possible reasons for an extension
There are different reasons why you might need an extension. Check below which category belongs to you, so you know which approvals to obtain:
- Personal circumstances: there are (unforeseen) circumstances in your or your examiner(s)’ personal life.
- Study-related circumstances: circumstances that affect your study planning, e.g. you are following extra courses or an internship at the same time.
- Project-related circumstances: unforeseen circumstances in your project, e.g. when working together with a company.
Note: The absence of positive or significant results, new insights within the research group, the writing of a scientific article, and other aspects of daily research practice are not considered valid reasons for requesting an extension.
Steps to submit an extension request
- Discuss and agree on a new end date with your first and second examiner. Important: the end date refers to the date on which your grade is registered by your examiner, not the date on which you submit your thesis.
- Obtain the necessary approval statements. This can be a screenshot of an e-mail or Teams chat that shows the person in question agrees with the new end date.
- Personal: project supervisor/first examiner, second examiner, study advisor
- Study-related: project supervisor/first examiner, second examiner, study advisor
- Project-related: project supervisor/first examiner and second examiner. For second or later extension in this category, also an approval from the study advisor and programme coordinator is needed.
- Start the Osiris Case via Osiris Student > ‘My Cases’> ‘Start Case’ > ‘Request to the Board of Examiners’ > New end date thesis project and complete all the information.
- The Research Project Coordinator will review your request for an extension. You will receive a notification of the outcome. If the extension is approved, the end date of your research project will be changed in Osiris.
Why do I need to receive approval to extend my end date?
Please note: In most cases, especially when personal circumstances are involved, your request will be approved. The extension request serves as a tool to identify potential issues early on and, if necessary, guide both you and your examiners toward appropriate support.
Questions?
Contact your study advisor and/or the research project coordinator.
