Initially, you should know that what is now called 'a project-oriented course' was previously called an internship. Previously we called the students interns, now we call them students. The word is different, but the definition is the same.
(Are you a student and do you want to know more about the project-oriented course in a company, you can find more information here: Information for students about the project-oriented course in a company)
Our students are very popular among all types and sizes of companies. When previous hosts provide feedback for the university, the evaluation of the students is that they; are a breath of fresh air in the organisations, that they work hard from day one, and that their onboarding period is limited. Many hosts have had students in project-oriented courses for many years.
It is always possible to enter into a declaration of confidentiality between the student and the host organisation. This means that the report the student submits as part of their programme may only be read by the student, external examiner and supervisor. As a general rule, all academic reports on project-oriented courses are confidential. Violation of this confidentiality will have consequences for all parties.
For the students, a project-oriented course is an opportunity to learn and test their academic competencies in practice. It is important to be aware of the difference between the academic world and the work reality. This means that situations may arise where expectations may not fully align with reality, and ‘mistakes’ will be made.
It will benefit the student academically to become part of an organisation. Therefore, it is important that it is possible for the student to be offered a physical workplace with access to a workstation, so that the student has the opportunity to participate on an almost equal footing with the employees in the organisation.
This means that Communication students must solve tasks with a communication-related focus; ‘… how communication science methods and theories meet practice, with special focus on cultural, organisational and/or media issues’ [curriculum]. The tasks may include press releases, SoMe, communication strategic tasks, training sessions, organisational development, communication training tasks, etc.
For students in the Experience Design and Interactive Digital Media programme, there must be: ‘… one or more concepts/products or a sub-element of one or more concepts/products that involve digital elements’ [curriculum]. Here, ‘digital elements' are a key focus point. These can be tasks with a focus on strategic design (UX, apps, websites, explainer videos, podcasts, digital stories/communication) or on media analysis (user studies, fan studies, institutional practice, State of the Art). For both digital elements, project management is considered part of the academic skill set.
Students in the Information Science programme must solve information-related tasks. These should be made explicit in the agreement. Information-related tasks include: User analysis; pilot studies; study of work and practice processes; design and development of ICT systems, including work with prototypes and user involvement in development and design processes; implementation and evaluation of ICT systems, including support for learning and competence development processes in connection with commissioning of ICT systems.
The students are very welcome to have a work task that is their own task. This task may/may not have direct application potential for your company, but it should be one you will provide feedback on. This task will be valuable in connection with the academic report that the student must write as part of their degree programme.
In connection with the agreement between the student and you, you must make sure to have the time to provide feedback. Feedback is important for the student both to become better at solving tasks and in relation to the report that the student must write and submit as part of their AAU degree programme.
Together with the student, you must fill in an agreement in which the core tasks for the course are described. The agreement must be signed by the student and a representative of your organisation. The agreement is only valid when approved by the programme coordinator.
NO! The student receives SU during the project-oriented course and does therefore not have to be paid. You can agree to cover the student's travel expenses or rent (in connection with double rent) during the project-oriented course, but this is an agreement between you and the student (and the Danish Tax Administration) and has nothing to do with AAU.
However, the student may receive a gratuity of up to DKK 3,000 before tax per month. This gratuity must not resemble a fixed, pre-agreed wage income. It is a matter between you and the student. Read more in Danish in the Regulation on Amendment to the Regulation on Bachelor's and Master's Programmes at Universities (‘Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om bachelor- og kandidatuddannelser ved universiteterne’).
You must write a posting in which you briefly describe your organisation, what types of tasks you want solved and what profile you are looking for. The posting should be sent to the programme coordinator. You can also send it to AAU Jobbank. The difference between the two portals is that when you send it to the programme coordinator, only students from the Communication and Digital Media programme can see your posting. AAU Jobbank has an interface for all AAU students, but without specific knowledge of the different academic environments.
Communication and Digital Media students can take a project-oriented course in the 5th semester of their bachelor’s programme and in the 3rd semester of their master’s programme. In the 5th semester, the course must correspond to 7 weeks of full-time work including work tasks in an organisation, report writing and examination. The course in the 5th semester of the bachelor’s programme may be organised with, for example, 2 days a week in the company and the rest of the week focusing on study activities. You plan this with the student. In the 3rd semester of the master’s programme, the project-oriented course must correspond to 13 weeks of full-time work including work tasks in an organisation, report writing and examination.
This means that in addition to the hours the student spends on the project-oriented course in your company, the student must write a report that must be handed in to and assessed by AAU. The report is an academic scientific analysis and assessment of one or more of the tasks that the students have solved in your company/organisation.
Please note the ministerial announcement on students in project-oriented courses:
‘(4) During a project-oriented course in a public or private company, the student may not be included as labour, including being subject to the company's instructional authority.’ Read more in Danish in the Regulation on Amendment to the Regulation on Bachelor's and Master's Programmes at Universities (‘Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om bachelor- og kandidatuddannelser ved universiteterne’).
This means that the student must not solve tasks that could or would otherwise have been handled by an employee in normal employment. The student may, for example, not take over tasks from an employee who becomes ill or resigns during the agreement period. Certain times of attendance can b
If the student is not covered by your company's occupational injury insurance or other relevant insurance, you, as the host, have a duty to inform the student about it. In this case, the student is responsible for insuring themselves.
Staff lists are temporarily unavailable. We are working on a solution. For the time being, employees can be searched for here: https://vbn.aau.dk/en/persons/
Staff lists are temporarily unavailable. We are working on a solution. For the time being, employees can be searched for here: https://vbn.aau.dk/en/persons/
Staff lists are temporarily unavailable. We are working on a solution. For the time being, employees can be searched for here: https://vbn.aau.dk/en/persons/