Introduction

This guide is important from the earliest starting point regarding the preparation of your external project, and the first thing you have to do is to let your external project co-ordinator know that you are looking for an assignment. Most of the UT departments now use the Student Mobility System (SMS: https://webapps.utwente.nl/srs/nl/srsservlet) for the registration of the students who need to do an external project. However, there are differences in the procedure of each department when exactly you have to register. Please check your departmental webpages for the details about this.

The second thing you have to do is to decide what is important to you, by answering questions such as:

Armed with your answers to the aforementioned questions, and optionally after having registered in the SMS, you then need go to the co-ordinator of your programme. With the co-ordinator you can discuss your preferences mentioned in the registration form of the SMS and indicate the period in which you want to do your training. The moment of the first consultation with the co-ordinator differs per programme and can sometimes be as early as a year before the actual start date. If you find it difficult to make decisions about your preferences, please do not hesitate to contact your co-ordinator, as (s)he will gladly be able to help you decide, and also answer any questions that you may have.

Preperation for an external project is a challenging task, but it can be fulfilled in parallel with your regular study activities. Remember that good preparation enhances the chance of a successful and interesting project, and it is hoped that this guide will help you achieve that goal.

The external project is a very important aspect of your education and forms the essence of preparing you for real life after graduation.