BTR Overview
The Bachelor Thesis Research (BTR) is a one-semester-long piece of research that bachelor students in the Maastricht Science Programme (MSP) carry out at the end of their studies as the final part of their scientific training.
180
Total Credits for Degree
Key Characteristics
- Complete scientific cycle: Starting with a problem, formulating a scientific question and hypotheses, experimentation, and reporting
- Student responsibility: It is the student's responsibility to organize their BTR
- Specialization: Students specialize in a scientific area of their choosing
- Flexible location: Students may study with MSP staff, at other Maastricht University locations, or at another institution within or outside the Netherlands
Start Times
BTR projects typically begin at the start of semesters:
- September Cohort: Starts September, ends January
- February Cohort: Starts February, ends June
💡 Alternative Start Dates
Under special circumstances and with permission from the BTR Coordinator, alternative start dates may be considered, with students receiving a personalized timetable.
Aims of the Bachelor Thesis Research
The BTR is designed to achieve the following objectives:
- To give students an opportunity to individually perform high-level academic research
- To gather independent research skills while working in a research team
- To gain insight into the process of scientific research
- To understand how to write a research proposal
- To write and defend a research thesis
- To communicate scientific issues to non-scientists
- To further specialize in one or more areas of the natural sciences
- To prepare for admission to (research) masters in the natural sciences
🎯 Independence is Key
A particular premium is placed on the independence of the research carried out:
- Thesis subjects are selected by a student in close collaboration with the research supervisor
- Topics are quite likely a part of a wider programme of the supervisor's ongoing research
- Notwithstanding this, a student should formulate their own research plan, carry out research as an independent member of a group, and interpret the results themselves in the context of the relevant scientific literature
Student Eligibility & Requirements
Academic Requirements
Students need at least 145 ECTS credits (of the 150 non-BTR credits) to start their Bachelor Thesis Research.
📋 Courses Under Grading
A maximum of 12.5 ECTS worth of courses AND a Project Period may be under grading when starting the BTR.
Where BTRs Can Take Place
Students have flexibility in choosing their research location:
1. Within Maastricht University
- MSP staff research groups
- Other UM faculties and locations
- UM-affiliated research institutes
2. Other Netherlands Institutions
- Other Dutch universities
- Research institutes
- Other educational and research facilities
3. International Institutions
- Universities abroad
- International research centers
- External institutions worldwide
⚠️ Important for External BTRs
For all students doing theses outside of Maastricht University:
- Internship agreement required: Must be signed between Maastricht University, the host institution, and the student
- Cannot start until signed: The student cannot start the BTR until this document is fully agreed and signed
- Submit early: Documents should be submitted at the earliest available opportunity to allow time for legal review
- Documents submitted less than 1 month before BTR start are considered too close and may cause a delay in being allowed to start
- NDAs also require review: Non-Disclosure Agreements must be legally checked before signing
Contact: msp-btr@maastrichtuniversity.nl
The Five BTR Components
The BTR is assessed through five distinct components:
| Component |
Weight |
Graded By |
| Research Proposal |
15% |
Research Supervisor + Internal Advisor |
| Midpoint Practical |
15% |
Research Supervisor only |
| Written Thesis |
25% |
Research Supervisor + Internal Advisor |
| Final Practical |
35% |
Research Supervisor only (includes presentation to research group) |
| BTR Video |
10% |
Internal Advisor + Peer student |
Passing Requirements
- Students must gain a weighted average grade of 5.5 or higher
- Students may gain a grade of less than 5.5 in individual components but can still pass provided it is compensated by the grades in other parts
- Dutch grading scale: 1.0 (lowest) to 10.0 (highest)
Who's Involved in the BTR?
1. Research Supervisor (You)
- Qualifications: Research supervisors should have a number of years of research experience and are generally expected to have a PhD
- Primary role: Provide support, feedback, and assessment for the student
- Support includes: Introduction to research area, experimental design guidance, use of equipment/approaches, good working practices, and results analysis
- Regular contact essential: Maintain regular contact for monitoring student progress
- Day-to-day supervision: PhD students in groups may act as day-to-day supervisors, but should not be official supervisors with final responsibility for the BTR
2. Internal Advisor
- Who they are: Usually a member of MSP or allied staff
- Appointed by: BTR Coordinator before submission of the proposal
- Role: Verify that the scientific level of proposed experiments, actual research, and final outcomes are of sufficient academic quality
- Likely familiar with student: Will likely be a member of staff familiar with the student and their academic background, such as an academic advisor
- NOT necessarily an expert: Not necessarily experts in the research area of the thesis
- Does NOT contribute to development: Do not generally contribute to development of the thesis except in general terms
- Grading: Grade the proposal and final thesis; also discuss BTR progress with student at certain key points by request
3. BTR Coordinator (Dr. Panos Christakoglou)
- Oversees the overall quality of the Bachelor Thesis Research program
- Handles special circumstances (deadline extensions, personal circumstances problems, disputes)
- Makes final decisions on the advice of research supervisor and internal advisor
- Officially awards final BTR grades
4. BTR Administrator (Martijn Jeurissen)
- Manages day-to-day administration
- Oversees collection and distribution of grades
- Typically the first point of contact for a range of issues
📝 Important Note on Contact
In most cases, the responsibility for contacting the BTR Office in cases of special circumstances or requirements lies with the student, not the supervisor. If necessary, the coordinator will discuss any issues with the supervisor after the student's initial contact with BTR administration.
Additional Modules During BTR
Students may take one additional module (maximum 5 ECTS) during their BTR if working in or near Maastricht.
Requirements
- Requires approval from both the Research Supervisor and the MSP Board of Examiners
- Research Supervisors are NOT obligated to support additional module requests and must be consulted before the BTR begins
- Students should discuss how they will manage the extra workload with their supervisor
- If the supervisor does not approve, or if requested after the BTR starts, the additional module must be completed after the BTR ends
⚠️ You Are NOT Obligated to Approve
It is at your discretion whether to grant support for additional modules. There is no obligation to do so, especially if it is requested after the thesis has begun.
