Application process and timeline

Application procedures and timeline for the processing of applications differ depending on the kind of call, scholarship and/or affiliation to the PhD School in the Humanities.

There are three ways to approach the application process:

The open calls for PhD scholarships are only announced once a year.
Specific calls, with a predefined research objective – usually part of a collective research project – are announced throughout the year.
If you bring your own funding through an external grant or personal means, you can apply for admission at any time.

Read about financing and types of PhD scholarships.

1. The yearly open calls for PhD scholarships

We invite all qualified candidates to apply for the yearly PhD scholarships with a proposal for a PhD project that fits the relevant department’s research profile.

Open calls require you to draw up an individual project proposal before applying. Your application will undergo a competitive evaluation process. Usually, there are many applicants from both Denmark and abroad. From previous years’ experience, the chances of obtaining a scholarship range from 5-10%.

When	Open calls
December	Advertisement for vacant positions is published.
February	Deadline for submitting PhD applications
March	Applications are shortlisted for assessment: After the application deadline a selection committee will pre-select PhD applications that will proceed to the assessment (shortlist). All applicants are notified via email whether they have been shortlisted or not.
	The Assessment Committee conducts the evaluations.
April	Evaluations of shortlisted applicants are sent to applicants via email for consultation response (with a five-day deadline for submitting a response).
April/May	Interviews with select candidates are conducted. All applicants are notified about the result of the faculty’s decision. Successful applicants are offered a scholarship.
May	Successful candidates receive a formal letter of enrolment and employment.
1 September	The PhD scholars begin their PhD programme at the University of Copenhagen.

2. PhD scholarships advertised through specific calls with a predefined topic and research objective

Applications for advertised PhD scholarships must be submitted via the link in the advertisement and comply with the instructions in the advertisement.

When	Specific calls
6-8 weeks before the application deadline	Advertisement for the vacant position is published.
	Deadline for submitting PhD applications
1-4 weeks after the application deadline	Applications are shortlisted for assessment: After the application deadline a selection committee will pre-select PhD applications that will proceed to the assessment (shortlist). All applicants are notified via email whether they have been shortlisted or not.
	Assessment Committee conducts the evaluations. Shortlisted applicants are informed of the composition of the Assessment Committee.
	Evaluations are sent to applicants via email for consultation response (with a five-day deadline for submitting a response).
	Interviews with select candidates are conducted. All applicants are notified about the result of the faculty’s decision. Successful applicants are offered a scholarship.
2-6 weeks before the enrolment date	The PhD scholar receives a letter of enrolment and a letter of employment.
Employment date	The PhD scholars begin their PhD programme at the University of Copenhagen.

3. PhD applicants with external funding or enrolment as a self-financed PhD student

Prospective PhD students who have external funding, an international grant or want to be self-financed can apply for enrolment as a PhD student at any time. Submit your application via email to the PhD Administration (phd@hrsc.ku.dk).

Read about admission and application requirements.

When	With external funding without UCPH call, an international grant or as a self-financed PhD student
6-12 months before the enrolment starts	The prospective PhD student contacts a relevant department through the PhD Coordinator. Prospective PhD students will need to document, that they have the necessary funding to cover education fee and the minimum allowance for living expenses in Denmark throughout the 3-year PhD programme. Prospective PhD students bringing their own funds will be expected to submit a CV and a PhD project proposal to facilitate a clear picture of the research objectives etc. The PhD Coordinator will determine whether the department has the capacity to supervise the PhD project. See list of PhD Coordinators in order to contact the department where you would like to work, regarding supervision for your proposed project.
Usually, 3-6 months before the enrolment starts	The potential supervisor or the prospective PhD student contacts the PhD Administration The PhD Administration will send guidelines and documents to be filled in and submitted.
Usually, 1-3 months before the enrolment starts	The prospective PhD student submits the application for enrolment and (if relevant) employment The PhD Administration processes the application and initiates an academic evaluation and approval of the application for enrolment by the PhD school, and for employment by the Head of Department.
0-1 month before the enrolment date	If approved by the departmemt and the PhD School, the prospective PhD student receives a letter of enrolment and (if relevant) employment.
Enrolment date	The PhD students begin their PhD studies at the University of Copenhagen.

If you have any questions regarding the requirements and the application process, contact the Phd Administration.