The Final Degree Project consists of the completion of an original, autonomous and individual piece of work developed by each student under the supervision of a tutor, who will act as a guide and facilitator of the learning process. Students must demonstrate their ability to integrate the competences, skills, strategies and knowledge acquired throughout the degree programme, not only through the preparation of an academic paper that meets the standards and academic rigour expected of a university graduate, but also through the presentation and defence of the main arguments developed in the project. In all cases, the project will involve a process of review, analysis and synthesis, as well as the exercise of critical thinking in the formulation and examination of the chosen topic.
To have passed or be enrolled in all basic and compulsory courses of the degree programme.
The aim of the Final Degree Project (TFG) is for students, through the completion of an autonomous and original piece of work, to undertake research, analysis and academic writing tasks that demonstrate that they have attained the level of academic rigour corresponding to the first cycle of university education, as well as the ability to appropriately integrate and relate the competences associated with the degree programme and the knowledge acquired throughout it. Successful completion of this project, which will include its oral defence, will demonstrate that students have successfully acquired the competences and skills required both to pursue second-cycle studies and to enter the professional sphere while meeting the relevant requirements. In particular, through this individual project, based on the methodological, theoretical and practical foundations of the areas or disciplines that make up the degree programme, students will have consolidated their critical thinking, systems thinking, communication skills and ability to adopt an interdisciplinary approach.
The topics covered by the Final Degree Project (TFG) will be related to the disciplinary areas of the degree programme. A selection of topics will be offered to students by the degree programme’s faculty and will be announced before the end of the academic year preceding the year in which the TFG is to be completed. As a general rule, students will also choose between the following two types of project:
- Theoretical-conceptual projects: In relation to a specific topic, students will be required to establish the appropriate theoretical framework or frameworks, conduct a literature review of the state of the art, and analyse the main premises, developments and proposals, demonstrating critical thinking and terminological rigour.
- Applied projects: Based on the appropriate theoretical framework and conceptual premises, students will analyse the practical implications of the topic concerned, providing data and indicators that demonstrate its relevance and contribution to current debates, while likewise demonstrating critical thinking and terminological rigour.
- The choice between these two types of project will depend on the student’s interest either in pursuing an in-depth theoretical study of a specific issue or in adopting a more practical approach to a social phenomenon or situation with philosophical, political and economic dimensions that can be addressed from an interdisciplinary perspective. In each case, students will use the methodologies appropriate to the nature of the TFG.
The preparation of the Final Degree Project primarily involves two teaching and learning methodologies: students’ autonomous work and tutorial sessions with their academic supervisors. More specifically, it will include the following methodological activities:
- Analysis of texts and documents.
- Searching for, reading and studying relevant documentation.
- Preparation of written assignments.
- Oral presentations.
- Attendance at group seminars supervised by the academic supervisor.
- Attendance at tutorial sessions.
- Monitoring the development of the Final Degree Project.
- Approving the presentation of the Final Degree Project before the examination panel.
- Serving as a member of the examination panel responsible for assessing the oral defence of the Final Degree Project.
The course will be considered successfully completed when the student has obtained an average grade of 5 or higher across all assessment activities and has completed all the required activities:
- Participation in seminars and initial Final Degree Project proposal (15%).
- Final Degree Project supervisor’s progress report (35%).
- Report of the examination panel assessing the submitted Final Degree Project (40%).
- Oral defence of the Final Degree Project (10%).
he course will be considered successfully completed when the student has obtained an average grade of 5 or higher across all assessment activities and has completed all the required activities:
- Participation in seminars and initial Final Degree Project proposal (15%). The student regularly attends seminars and fulfils the commitments undertaken. The student adequately defines the requirements necessary to begin the project: research question, objectives, theoretical framework, methodology, conclusions, bibliography and work schedule.
- Final Degree Project supervisor’s progress report (35%). The student integrates and applies the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the degree programme and is able to use them autonomously, meaningfully and responsibly. The student demonstrates the ability to adopt a critical position regarding specific issues or realities and identifies the ideas, principles, models and values underlying critical judgements. The student organises and structures the Final Degree Project in accordance with the academic conventions applicable to this type of work. The student establishes, both throughout the project and within individual chapters, a reasoned connection with the objectives and issues being addressed. The student critically assesses sources of information and uses reliable data. Drafts are submitted within the established deadlines and in accordance with the supervisor’s recommendations regarding both content and form.
- Report of the examination panel assessing the submitted Final Degree Project (40%). The student presents the proposal appropriately and organises it in accordance with the academic conventions applicable to this type of work. The student demonstrates the ability to adopt a critical position regarding specific issues or realities and identifies the ideas, principles, models and values underlying critical judgements. The results obtained are related to the objectives of the Final Degree Project. Appropriate bibliographic resources are used rigorously and cited correctly. The student uses correct, formal, clear and precise academic language.
- Oral defence of the Final Degree Project (10%). The student delivers an orderly and clear oral presentation, using formal and academic language appropriate to the topic being defended. The student demonstrates the originality, relevance and contemporary significance of the project and shows a thorough command of the subject matter. The student substantiates and argues the judgements made and draws conclusions consistent with the work carried out. The student adheres to the established presentation time and responds clearly to questions and comments from the members of the examination panel.
- Ferrer, V. , Carmona, M. y Soria, V. (2012). El Trabajo Fin de Grado. Guía para estudiantes, docentes y agentes colaboradores. McGraw-Hill, Madrid.
- García, M. P. y Martínez, P. , coords. , (2012). Guía práctica para la realización de Trabajos Fin de Grado y Trabajos Fin de Master. EDITUM, Murcia.
- Healey, M. (2011). Final year undergraduate dissertations and projects: Key characteristics and possibilities, http: //insight. glos. ac. uk.
- Todd, M. J. , Bannister, P. and Clegg, S. (2004). Independent inquiry and the undergraduate dissertation: perceptions and experiences of final-year social science students, Assesment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 29 (3), 335-355.