---
title: 🚀 Activation Phase — Timeline, Milestones & Requirements [from July 2026]
description: Understand the structure of the Activation Phase, including supervision, thesis milestones, deadlines, live sessions, presentations, grading, and final submission requirements.
---

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1. [Tomorrow University Student Handbook](https://handbook.tomorrow.university/?hsLang=en)
2. [Program Guidance](https://handbook.tomorrow.university/program-guidance?hsLang=en)
3. [Activation Phase](https://handbook.tomorrow.university/program-guidance?hsLang=en#activation-phase)

# 🚀 Activation Phase — Timeline, Milestones & Requirements \[from July 2026\]

## This guide explains how the Activation Phase is structured, including the thesis timeline, supervision model, live sessions, key milestones, submission deadlines, presentation process, grading breakdown, and what learners are expected to complete from proposal development through to final thesis defence.

The Activation Phase is the final stage of your degree, where you will develop and submit your **thesis project** within your chosen Lab.

### Activation Prerequisites

To officially begin your Activation phase, you need to have completed all previous phases — Orientation, Calibration, and Elevation — including their respective ECTS targets.

You're allowed to carry over a maximum of **1 pending challenge** into your Activation Lab. This challenge must be completed before your thesis defense.

If you have more than one challenge still pending when your Activation Lab begins, you'll need to withdraw from your current lab cohort and re-enroll in the next available cycle — unless an exception has been discussed with, and approved by, your Programme Director.

#### ⏱️ Duration

- **Core Phase:** 4 months
- **Grace Period:** 1 additional month
- **Total Maximum Duration:** **5 months**

👉 The expectation is to complete your thesis within the 4-month core phase. The final month acts as a buffer for submission and presentation.

#### 🧭 Supervision Model

- Your **Lab Owner is your Supervisor**
- Supervision is primarily delivered through: 
    - **Live sessions (every 3 weeks)**
    - Peer discussion and feedback
- If additional support is needed: 
    - You may attend your supervisor’s **office hours**

👉 Use live sessions as your **main feedback loop** and come prepared with progress and questions.

#### 📅 Structure & Live Sessions

- Live sessions take place **every 3 weeks**
- Sessions run until the **end of Month 3**

These sessions are used for:

- Guidance and feedback
- Proposal and progress reviews
- Peer learning and discussion

#### 🧭 Key Milestones

### 🔹 Week 1 — Activation Kick-Off (Live Session)

- Introduction to your Lab and structure
- Overview of expectations and milestones
- Access to key resources (within your Activation Challenge): 
    - Proposal template
    - Thesis template
    - Existing projects and research areas
- Begin working on your **thesis proposal**

### 🔹 Week 2 — Proposal check-in (Live Session)

- Present initial scope of your proposal

### 🔹 Week 3 — Proposal Presentation (Live Session)

- 5-minute presentation of your proposal
- Receive feedback from peers and the Lab Owner

### 🔹 Week 3 (Post-Session) — Proposal Submission

- Submit your written proposal
- Proposal is: 
    - **Assessed for quality and direction**
    - **0% weight (does not count toward final grade)**
- Approval is required to proceed

### 🔹 Month 2–3 — Development Phase

- Literature review/research/prototyping/validation
- Continued progress through: 
    - Independent work
    - Live sessions (every 3 weeks)
    - Optional support via office hours

### 🔹 Month 4 — Finalisation Phase

You must complete the following:

### 1. Submit Written Thesis

- Submit your thesis **at least 1 week before your presentation**

### 2. Book Your Presentation Slot

- Book via [this link](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevHzQl7YZ9slHqfuUX2RtDhAn2dtj_5MMU3d38T5g6nvvoDw/viewform)
- Confirm availability with your **Lab Owner (Supervisor)**

### 3. Submit Presentation Slides

- Submit **1 day before your presentation**

### 🔹 Month 4–5 — Thesis Presentation & Defence

- **Presentation duration:** 15–20 minutes
- **Q&A:** 10 minutes (audience + supervisor)

⚠️ If submission deadlines are not met:

- Your presentation **may need to be rescheduled**

#### 🎤 Presentation Requirement

Before presenting your own thesis, you must:

👉 **Attend at least 1 thesis presentation event**

**📍 Where & when: Thesis Live sessions run every 2 weeks on Fridays, 16:00–18:00 CET/CEST, at the Cosmos Event Space (virtual). Find more and register via the [Events page](https://os.tomorrow.university/events).  **

This helps you:

- Understand expectations
- Learn from other projects
- Prepare effectively for your defence

#### 📝 Submission Overview

| Deliverable | Deadline |
| --- | --- |
| Proposal Presentation | Week 3 |
| Proposal Submission | Week 3 (after presentation) |
| Written Thesis | ≥ 1 week before presentation |
| Presentation Slides | 1 day before presentation |

#### 📊 Final Assessment

Your final grade is composed of:

- **70% — Written Thesis**
- **30% — Presentation & Defence**

### Proposal

- Mandatory submission
- **0% weight (not included in final grade)**

#### ⏳ Grading Timeline

- Final grade released within **2 weeks after your presentation**

#### 🔗 Key Resources

Available within your **Activation Challenge**:

- Proposal Template
- Thesis Template

Additional:

- [Book Presentation Slot](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevHzQl7YZ9slHqfuUX2RtDhAn2dtj_5MMU3d38T5g6nvvoDw/viewform?usp=header) 

#### ⚠️ Important Notes

- You are responsible for: 
    - Managing your time across the 4-month core phase
    - Meeting all deadlines
    - Engaging actively in live sessions
- Missing deadlines may result in: 
    - Rescheduled presentation
    - Delays within the 5-month maximum timeline

#### 🎯 Final Reminder

The Activation Phase is your opportunity to:

- Apply your knowledge in a real-world context
- Deliver a structured, high-quality thesis
- Demonstrate independent thinking and execution

Focus on:

👉 **Clarity, consistency, and timely completion**

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