I don't want to seem rude but if you are in your "Final year" of a bachelors shouldn't this be something very simple to you? We have final year students that work here for work experience and they are designing computers so surely a flouresent tube replacement should be a pinch.
It is a catch 22 I've commented on many times, if you don't need help you may be able to do it safely.
If you have to ask you can't do it safely, and can hurt yourself or (worse) someone else.
Line voltage is not something to play around with. A commercial product is sealed, which no way for a consumer to get to the innards. They also have deep pockets and are accountable to their governments if they screw up. Given the state of the junk lately, I suspect the latter will happen more than a few times.
A simple transformer or wall wart will render this circuit safe. Direct connection to line voltage is not permitted here.
If you concede the point concerning transformers you'll get help, otherwise... ?