Students often wonder what the graduation project really is and what the right approach to it should be. Here is a starting guide.

N.B. I am speaking specifically from a literary studies perspective. However, this may also be applicable across fields of study. That said, not all universities have the graduation project option, and it is not the only way to end your undergraduate degree productively.

An undergraduate degree is a place to build solid foundations. You will have taken core courses on key literary periods, genres, or movements, and likely on research methods. You will also have taken elective or advanced courses on different aspects of literature, and maybe even courses across subjects. These are great ways to identify where your interests lie, and what area you want to work on. The graduation project is often the last step of this foundation building. The value of a longer-term graduation project can be multi-fold. 

Let us start with what a Graduation Project (sometimes called Capstone project) is. This is often the final step of your undergraduate degree and can be a semester- or even year-long project that is larger in scope than the traditional research paper you’ll write for courses. It may be mandatory in some universities and optional in others; some universities may even have eligibility criteria for such projects. Some may even allow interdisciplinary projects. It can take many forms: research theses, journalism, film, translation, case studies, websites and so on, depending on what is afforded by your university department’s guidelines. 

So, what are the benefits of a graduation project? 

Firstly, a graduation project allows you to implement and showcase the subject-knowledge and technical skills that you’ll develop through your undergraduate years. Alternatively, if you haven’t been able to take courses that address a specific topic of interest—hindsight, scheduling issues or for whatever other reason—this is a chance to address a gap in your study. You will be challenged and empowered to engage rigorously with a specific topic over a longer period of time, and gain in-depth subject knowledge on your topic and its critical debates. You can engage meaningfully with real-world concerns from your own positionality.

Secondly, it is a chance to work closely and formally with a professor whose expertise, ethos, or teaching style works well for you. Supervisions are great ways to get formative and formal feedback while still letting you retain control over your project. You’ll also have the chance to develop a working relationship with your supervisor. Grad project supervisors can become mentors and referees also. See here for how to ask for reference letters.

Thirdly, and relatedly, it is a chance to take charge of your own learning. Grad projects demand initiative and independent study on your part and teach you transferable skills like time-management, attention to detail and project management from conception to completion. You may consider what skill-sets you want to build through this process before you graduate; it provides practical experience and prepares you for the wider working environment. 

Finally, you may end up with a good writing sample for postgraduate applications, for your portfolio, to present at conferences and so on. You’ll learn to push yourself conceptually and technically, work with feedback, engage in sophisticated ways with scholarship, develop expertise on a specific topic, manage your time, and disseminate your research to a variety of audiences. It is an excellent opportunity to pick up such skills under experienced guidance and structured conditions. 

That said, sometimes, grad projects can be electives, and you may not be obliged to take one on. When given a choice, reflect carefully on your experience, needs, and plans, choose the path that works best for you!

Suggestions for practical first steps:

• Read the guidelines thoroughly and then talk to your department head/ in-charge in advance to check your eligibility and options.
• Get in touch with potential supervisors. It can help to have one or two ideas in hand. Talk to professors who work or teach in the subject-areas you have chosen. They can help you refine your ideas and make suggestions to develop your project proposals. [That said, try not to force into this mould projects you may already have worked on independently if they don’t adhere to the departmental requirements.]
• Goes without saying, but read up on your topic in advance. It is not enough to simply follow the supervisor’s lead and instructions. You need to take charge at each stage including the first.
• That said, be open to feedback and instruction. Once your supervisory relationship has been formalized, your supervisor can guide you with specific issues of project scope and feasibility, research and gaps, argument, agenda and so on.

Further Suggested Readings for Students

“What is a Capstone Project? And Why is It Important?”, Top Universities

“What is a Capstone Project?”, Boston University

“What is a Capstone Project”, National University

See here for some graduation projects in literary studies from Otterbein University