diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 73b3aa42..0409767f 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,11 +1,14 @@
 .tool-versions
 .env
 .venv
+.idea
+.vscode
 data/*
 data/nginx/ssl/*
 data/postres*
 data/redis/*
 
+/node_modules
 backend/staticfiles/*
 
 !data/nginx/ssl/.gitkeep
diff --git a/backend/api/models/teacher.py b/backend/api/models/teacher.py
index 89f3d471..6866dd7b 100644
--- a/backend/api/models/teacher.py
+++ b/backend/api/models/teacher.py
@@ -16,3 +16,7 @@ class Teacher(User):
         related_name="teachers",
         blank=True,
     )
+
+    def has_course(self, course: Course) -> bool:
+        """Checks if the teacher has the given course."""
+        return self.courses.contains(course)
diff --git a/backend/api/permissions/assistant_permissions.py b/backend/api/permissions/assistant_permissions.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5cb76fc1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/api/permissions/assistant_permissions.py
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+from rest_framework.permissions import BasePermission
+from rest_framework.request import Request
+from rest_framework.viewsets import ViewSet
+from api.permissions.role_permissions import is_teacher, is_assistant
+from api.models.assistant import Assistant
+
+
+class AssistantPermission(BasePermission):
+    """Permission class used as default policy for assistant endpoint."""
+    def has_permission(self, request: Request, view: ViewSet) -> bool:
+        """Check if user has permission to view a general assistant endpoint."""
+        user = request.user
+
+        if view.action == "list":
+            # Only teachers can query the assistant list.
+            return user.is_authenticated and is_teacher(user)
+
+        return is_teacher(user) or is_assistant(user)
+
+    def has_object_permission(self, request: Request, view: ViewSet, assistant: Assistant) -> bool:
+        # Teachers can view the details of all assistants.
+        # Users can view their own assistant object.
+        return is_teacher(request.user) or request.user.id == assistant.id
diff --git a/backend/api/permissions/course_permissions.py b/backend/api/permissions/course_permissions.py
index 5bce23e7..a6c5ef19 100644
--- a/backend/api/permissions/course_permissions.py
+++ b/backend/api/permissions/course_permissions.py
@@ -22,11 +22,11 @@ def has_permission(self, request: Request, view: ViewSet) -> bool:
 
     def has_object_permission(self, request: Request, view: ViewSet, course: Course) -> bool:
         """Check if user has permission to view a detailed course endpoint"""
-        user: User = request.user
+        user = request.user
 
         # Logged-in users can fetch course details.
         if request.method in SAFE_METHODS:
-            return user.is_authenticated
+            return is_student(user) or is_teacher(user) or is_assistant(user)
 
         # We only allow teachers and assistants to modify their own courses.
         return is_teacher(user) and user.teacher.courses.contains(course) or \
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ def has_object_permission(self, request: Request, view: ViewSet, course: Course)
             return user.is_authenticated
 
         # Only teachers can modify assistants of their own courses.
-        return is_teacher(user) and user.teacher.courses.contains(course)
+        return is_teacher(user) and user.teacher.has_course(course)
 
 
 class CourseStudentPermission(CoursePermission):
diff --git a/backend/api/permissions/role_permissions.py b/backend/api/permissions/role_permissions.py
index 1e9c275c..2c50aa5b 100644
--- a/backend/api/permissions/role_permissions.py
+++ b/backend/api/permissions/role_permissions.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from rest_framework.permissions import IsAuthenticated
 from rest_framework.request import Request
+from rest_framework.viewsets import ViewSet
 from authentication.models import User
 from api.models.student import Student
 from api.models.assistant import Assistant
@@ -37,3 +38,12 @@ def has_permission(self, request, view):
         """Returns true if the request contains a user,
         with said user being a student"""
         return super().has_permission(request, view) and is_assistant(request.user)
+
+
+class IsSameUser(IsAuthenticated):
+    def has_permission(self, request, view):
+        return False
+
+    def has_object_permission(self, request: Request, view: ViewSet, user: User):
+        """Returns true if the request's user is the same as the given user"""
+        return super().has_permission(request, view) and user.id == request.user.id
diff --git a/backend/api/serializers/assistant_serializer.py b/backend/api/serializers/assistant_serializer.py
index 639b184b..c5569924 100644
--- a/backend/api/serializers/assistant_serializer.py
+++ b/backend/api/serializers/assistant_serializer.py
@@ -27,6 +27,6 @@ class Meta:
 
 
 class AssistantIDSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
-    assistant_id = serializers.PrimaryKeyRelatedField(
+    assistant = serializers.PrimaryKeyRelatedField(
         queryset=Assistant.objects.all()
     )
diff --git a/backend/api/views/admin_view.py b/backend/api/views/admin_view.py
index ad0862d0..a1292c88 100644
--- a/backend/api/views/admin_view.py
+++ b/backend/api/views/admin_view.py
@@ -1,8 +1,28 @@
-from rest_framework import viewsets
-from authentication.serializers import UserSerializer
+from django.utils.translation import gettext
+from rest_framework.viewsets import ReadOnlyModelViewSet
+from rest_framework.response import Response
+from rest_framework.request import Request
+from rest_framework.permissions import IsAdminUser
+from authentication.serializers import UserSerializer, UserIDSerializer
 from authentication.models import User
 
 
-class AdminViewSet(viewsets.ReadOnlyModelViewSet):
+class AdminViewSet(ReadOnlyModelViewSet):
     queryset = User.objects.filter(is_staff=True)
     serializer_class = UserSerializer
+    permission_classes = [IsAdminUser]
+
+    def create(self, request: Request) -> Response:
+        """
+        Make the provided user admin by setting `is_staff` = true.
+        """
+        serializer = UserIDSerializer(
+            data=request.data
+        )
+
+        if serializer.is_valid(raise_exception=True):
+            serializer.validated_data["user"].make_admin()
+
+        return Response({
+            "message": gettext("admins.success.add")
+        })
diff --git a/backend/api/views/assistant_view.py b/backend/api/views/assistant_view.py
index ea75fc8b..e20bec81 100644
--- a/backend/api/views/assistant_view.py
+++ b/backend/api/views/assistant_view.py
@@ -1,32 +1,28 @@
-from rest_framework import viewsets, status
 from rest_framework.decorators import action
 from rest_framework.response import Response
+from rest_framework.viewsets import ReadOnlyModelViewSet
+from rest_framework.permissions import IsAdminUser
+from api.permissions.assistant_permissions import AssistantPermission
 from ..models.assistant import Assistant
 from ..serializers.assistant_serializer import AssistantSerializer
 from ..serializers.course_serializer import CourseSerializer
 
 
-class AssistantViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
+class AssistantViewSet(ReadOnlyModelViewSet):
+
     queryset = Assistant.objects.all()
     serializer_class = AssistantSerializer
+    permission_classes = [IsAdminUser | AssistantPermission]
 
     @action(detail=True, methods=["get"])
-    def courses(self, request, pk=None):
+    def courses(self, request, **_):
         """Returns a list of courses for the given assistant"""
+        assistant = self.get_object()
+        courses = assistant.courses
 
-        try:
-            queryset = Assistant.objects.get(id=pk)
-            courses = queryset.courses.all()
-
-            # Serialize the course objects
-            serializer = CourseSerializer(
-                courses, many=True, context={"request": request}
-            )
-            return Response(serializer.data)
+        # Serialize the course objects
+        serializer = CourseSerializer(
+            courses, many=True, context={"request": request}
+        )
 
-        except Assistant.DoesNotExist:
-            # Invalid assistant ID
-            return Response(
-                status=status.HTTP_404_NOT_FOUND,
-                data={"message": "Assistant not found"},
-            )
+        return Response(serializer.data)
diff --git a/backend/api/views/course_view.py b/backend/api/views/course_view.py
index 991aeff9..cc16a1f5 100644
--- a/backend/api/views/course_view.py
+++ b/backend/api/views/course_view.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ def _add_assistant(self, request: Request, **_):
 
         if serializer.is_valid(raise_exception=True):
             course.assistants.add(
-                serializer.validated_data["assistant_id"]
+                serializer.validated_data["assistant"]
             )
 
         return Response({
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def _remove_assistant(self, request: Request, **_):
 
         if serializer.is_valid(raise_exception=True):
             course.assistants.remove(
-                serializer.validated_data["assistant_id"]
+                serializer.validated_data["assistant"]
             )
 
         return Response({
diff --git a/backend/api/views/group_view.py b/backend/api/views/group_view.py
index ef82db0d..98550fdb 100644
--- a/backend/api/views/group_view.py
+++ b/backend/api/views/group_view.py
@@ -95,8 +95,7 @@ def _remove_student(self, request, **_):
     @submissions.mapping.post
     @submissions.mapping.put
     def _add_submission(self, request: Request, **_):
-        """Add an submission to the group"""
-
+        """Add a submission to the group"""
         group: Group = self.get_object()
 
         # Add submission to course
diff --git a/backend/api/views/project_view.py b/backend/api/views/project_view.py
index 08eb61d3..65a9c8ef 100644
--- a/backend/api/views/project_view.py
+++ b/backend/api/views/project_view.py
@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
 from django.utils.translation import gettext
 from rest_framework.mixins import CreateModelMixin, RetrieveModelMixin, UpdateModelMixin, DestroyModelMixin
 from rest_framework.permissions import IsAdminUser
-from rest_framework import viewsets
+from rest_framework.viewsets import GenericViewSet
 from rest_framework.decorators import action
 from rest_framework.response import Response
 from api.permissions.project_permissions import ProjectGroupPermission, ProjectPermission
 from api.models.group import Group
 from api.models.submission import Submission
-from ..models.project import Project
-from ..serializers.checks_serializer import StructureCheckSerializer, ExtraCheckSerializer
+from api.models.project import Project
+from api.serializers.checks_serializer import StructureCheckSerializer, ExtraCheckSerializer
 from api.serializers.project_serializer import ProjectSerializer, TeacherCreateGroupSerializer, SubmissionStatusSerializer
 from api.serializers.group_serializer import GroupSerializer
 from api.serializers.submission_serializer import SubmissionSerializer
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class ProjectViewSet(CreateModelMixin,
                      RetrieveModelMixin,
                      UpdateModelMixin,
                      DestroyModelMixin,
-                     viewsets.GenericViewSet):
+                     GenericViewSet):
 
     queryset = Project.objects.all()
     serializer_class = ProjectSerializer
@@ -39,12 +39,9 @@ def groups(self, request, **_):
 
         return Response(serializer.data)
 
-    """
-    @action(detail=True, permission_classes=[IsAdminUser])
+    @action(detail=True)
     def submissions(self, request, **_):
-        # Returns a list of subbmisions for the given project
-        # This automatically fetches the group from the URL.
-        # It automatically gives back a 404 HTTP response in case of not found.
+        """Returns a list of submissions for the given project"""
         project = self.get_object()
         submissions = project.submissions.all()
 
@@ -54,7 +51,6 @@ def submissions(self, request, **_):
         )
 
         return Response(serializer.data)
-    """
 
     @groups.mapping.post
     def _create_groups(self, request, **_):
diff --git a/backend/api/views/student_view.py b/backend/api/views/student_view.py
index 4fe6f92c..8517a0b8 100644
--- a/backend/api/views/student_view.py
+++ b/backend/api/views/student_view.py
@@ -1,52 +1,40 @@
 from rest_framework import viewsets, status
 from rest_framework.decorators import action
 from rest_framework.response import Response
-from ..models.student import Student
-from ..serializers.student_serializer import StudentSerializer
-from ..serializers.course_serializer import CourseSerializer
-from ..serializers.group_serializer import GroupSerializer
+from rest_framework.permissions import IsAdminUser
+from api.permissions.role_permissions import IsSameUser, IsTeacher
+from api.models.student import Student
+from api.serializers.student_serializer import StudentSerializer
+from api.serializers.course_serializer import CourseSerializer
+from api.serializers.group_serializer import GroupSerializer
 
 
 class StudentViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
     queryset = Student.objects.all()
     serializer_class = StudentSerializer
+    permission_classes = [IsAdminUser | IsTeacher | IsSameUser]
 
-    @action(detail=True, methods=["get"])
-    def courses(self, request, pk=None):
+    @action(detail=True)
+    def courses(self, request, **_):
         """Returns a list of courses for the given student"""
+        student = self.get_object()
+        courses = student.courses.all()
 
-        try:
-            queryset = Student.objects.get(id=pk)
-            courses = queryset.courses.all()
+        # Serialize the course objects
+        serializer = CourseSerializer(
+            courses, many=True, context={"request": request}
+        )
 
-            # Serialize the course objects
-            serializer = CourseSerializer(
-                courses, many=True, context={"request": request}
-            )
-            return Response(serializer.data)
+        return Response(serializer.data)
 
-        except Student.DoesNotExist:
-            # Invalid student ID
-            return Response(
-                status=status.HTTP_404_NOT_FOUND, data={"message": "Student not found"}
-            )
-
-    @action(detail=True, methods=["get"])
-    def groups(self, request, pk=None):
+    @action(detail=True)
+    def groups(self, request, **_):
         """Returns a list of groups for the given student"""
-
-        try:
-            queryset = Student.objects.get(id=pk)
-            groups = queryset.groups.all()
-
-            # Serialize the group objects
-            serializer = GroupSerializer(
-                groups, many=True, context={"request": request}
-            )
-            return Response(serializer.data)
-
-        except Student.DoesNotExist:
-            # Invalid student ID
-            return Response(
-                status=status.HTTP_404_NOT_FOUND, data={"message": "Student not found"}
-            )
+        student = self.get_object()
+        groups = student.groups.all()
+
+        # Serialize the group objects
+        serializer = GroupSerializer(
+            groups, many=True, context={"request": request}
+        )
+        return Response(serializer.data)
diff --git a/backend/api/views/teacher_view.py b/backend/api/views/teacher_view.py
index 49038133..c16d4167 100644
--- a/backend/api/views/teacher_view.py
+++ b/backend/api/views/teacher_view.py
@@ -1,31 +1,30 @@
-from rest_framework import viewsets, status
+from rest_framework import status
 from rest_framework.decorators import action
 from rest_framework.response import Response
-from ..models.teacher import Teacher
-from ..serializers.teacher_serializer import TeacherSerializer
-from ..serializers.course_serializer import CourseSerializer
+from rest_framework.viewsets import ReadOnlyModelViewSet
+from rest_framework.permissions import IsAdminUser
 
+from api.models.course import Course
+from api.models.teacher import Teacher
+from api.serializers.teacher_serializer import TeacherSerializer
+from api.serializers.course_serializer import CourseSerializer
+from api.permissions.role_permissions import IsSameUser
 
-class TeacherViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
+
+class TeacherViewSet(ReadOnlyModelViewSet):
     queryset = Teacher.objects.all()
     serializer_class = TeacherSerializer
+    permission_classes = [IsAdminUser | IsSameUser]
 
     @action(detail=True, methods=["get"])
     def courses(self, request, pk=None):
         """Returns a list of courses for the given teacher"""
+        teacher = self.get_object()
+        courses = teacher.courses.all()
 
-        try:
-            queryset = Teacher.objects.get(id=pk)
-            courses = queryset.courses.all()
-
-            # Serialize the course objects
-            serializer = CourseSerializer(
-                courses, many=True, context={"request": request}
-            )
-            return Response(serializer.data)
+        # Serialize the course objects
+        serializer = CourseSerializer(
+            courses, many=True, context={"request": request}
+        )
 
-        except Teacher.DoesNotExist:
-            # Invalid teacher ID
-            return Response(
-                status=status.HTTP_404_NOT_FOUND, data={"message": "Teacher not found"}
-            )
+        return Response(serializer.data)
diff --git a/backend/api/views/user_view.py b/backend/api/views/user_view.py
index 7868eacf..f584f6fe 100644
--- a/backend/api/views/user_view.py
+++ b/backend/api/views/user_view.py
@@ -1,19 +1,21 @@
 from api.permissions.notification_permissions import NotificationPermission
+from api.permissions.role_permissions import IsSameUser
 from authentication.models import User
 from authentication.serializers import UserSerializer
 from notifications.models import Notification
 from notifications.serializers import NotificationSerializer
 from rest_framework.decorators import action
-from rest_framework.mixins import ListModelMixin, RetrieveModelMixin
 from rest_framework.request import Request
 from rest_framework.response import Response
 from rest_framework.status import HTTP_200_OK
-from rest_framework.viewsets import GenericViewSet
+from rest_framework.viewsets import ReadOnlyModelViewSet
+from rest_framework.permissions import IsAdminUser
 
 
-class UserViewSet(ListModelMixin, RetrieveModelMixin, GenericViewSet):
+class UserViewSet(ReadOnlyModelViewSet):
     queryset = User.objects.all()
     serializer_class = UserSerializer
+    permission_classes = [IsAdminUser | IsSameUser]
 
     @action(detail=True, methods=["get"], permission_classes=[NotificationPermission])
     def notifications(self, request: Request, pk: str):
diff --git a/backend/authentication/serializers.py b/backend/authentication/serializers.py
index 3005d86f..86c44cf7 100644
--- a/backend/authentication/serializers.py
+++ b/backend/authentication/serializers.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
     ModelSerializer,
     Serializer,
     ValidationError,
+    PrimaryKeyRelatedField
 )
 from rest_framework_simplejwt.settings import api_settings
 from rest_framework_simplejwt.tokens import AccessToken, RefreshToken
@@ -108,3 +109,9 @@ class Meta:
     def get_or_create(self, validated_data: dict) -> Tuple[User, bool]:
         """Create or fetch the user based on the validated data."""
         return User.objects.get_or_create(**validated_data)
+
+
+class UserIDSerializer(Serializer):
+    user = PrimaryKeyRelatedField(
+        queryset=User.objects.all()
+    )