1. Preparing your thesis project

1.1 Features and prerequisites 

The bachelor's thesis is a module in the Psychology programme that once completed is rewarded with 15 ECTS, this equals to 420 hours of study (approximately 2.3 months full time work). The bachelor’s thesis builds on the second year research module and is scheduled as part of the third and final year of the bachelor's programme in Psychology, in the second semester. You can also start the bachelor’s thesis at the start of the first semester (e.g. if you have a study delay). In order to start with your bachelor's thesis you need to meet the prerequisites: you have obtained your first and second year ofthe bachelor’s programme. If you do not meet the prerequisites because you failed for example a module component of your first or second year, you can contact your study adviser (studyadviser-PSY@utwente.nl). The completion of the bachelor’s thesis takes one semester. During this period, you will be working on your bachelor’s thesis for about 2-3 days a week. This way you will still have time for the other module that is planned during the second semester.

Depending on the specialization that you have chosen, you work on the bachelor’s thesis individually or in groups, but each student must write an individual report. There are assignments available for each specialization.
Below you can find more information about the procedure of choosing a specialization, selecting an assignment and how you are supervised. 

1.2 Choosing your specialization 

1.2.1 Sign up for a specialization

Well before the start of each semester, the coordinator of the bachelor's thesis, Nienke Peeters (n.j.peeters@utwente.nl) will invite you to think about and eventually sign up for the specialization you would like to write your thesis in. You can write your thesis in different fields of Psychology, namely in the specializations/tracks:

• Conflict, Risk and Safety (CRS);
• Health Psychology and Technology (HPT);
• Human Factors and Engineering Psychology (HFE);
• Educational Psychology (EP);
• Positive Clinical Psychology and Technology (PCPT);
• Professional Development at the Workplace (HRD/OWK)*
• Research Methodology, Measurement and Data Analysis (RMMD/OMD).

The specialization you choose in your bachelor’s thesis does not determine the master track you can do after your bachelor’s programme. Therefore, it is possible to choose different specializations in your bachelor’s thesis and master track.
* Please note that successful participation in the (minor)module Professional Learning in Organizations is a prerequisite for choosing the bachelor thesis in this specialization/domain.

1.2.2 track coordinators

For every specialization,there is a coordinator, called track coordinator. The track coordinators have the task to coordinate the graduation and education within one specialization/track. If,after reading the information, you have specific questions about graduation within a specialization or thesis assignment you can contact the relevant track coordinator.

1.3 Choosing an assignment

A few weeks before the start of a new bachelor's thesis track, the relevant assignments for each specialization will be made available on the website for those students who intend to participate/signed up for a specialization. There are two options in choosing your bachelor’s thesis assignment. First, you can choose an existing assignment from the website. You will have to select a number of assignments of your interest and subsequently the theme coordinator will allocate you to an assignment. Second, you can write a proposal for your own assignment. In this case, you have to send a brief research proposal (1 A4) to the theme coordinator of the specialization of your interest 2 months prior to the start of the bachelor’s thesis. Make sure that your proposal contains the topic of your choice, the target group, and the method of approaching the target group, a conceptual research question and a short motivation. You can discuss your proposal during a meeting with the track coordinator. If the assignment seems feasible, the theme coordinator will try to find a supervisor who is willing and able to supervise the assignment.

1.4 Supervision

Bachelor's thesis committees consist of two members: a daily supervisor (first supervisor) and a second examiner, both of whom are University of Twente staff members. At least one of the two supervisors must hold a PhD; the other must hold at least a Master’s degree. The first supervisor is primarily responsible (together with you) for the final product and is your main contact person. Your first supervisor provides you with feedback and has meetings with you to guide your progress. They have 16 hours for this complete process. The second examiner has more of a monitoring role; they guide the process from a distance and function as a second reader for the first supervisor. However, the second examiner will be actively involved in the greenlight and final version of your thesis as a second examiner. They have 4 hours for this complete process.  

A third external supervisor may be involved in the Bachelor's thesis committee in an advisory role. If you conduct your research externally, someone may also supervise you from the company or institution at which you are working, in addition to these two supervisors. If you carry out your research on location, it is best for your supervisor to discuss this with the organization where you will be conducting research. The track coordinator will let you know who your supervisor will be. Please contact your first supervisor as soon as possible to arrange an initial meeting.