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.

There are three ways to approach the application process:

  1. The open calls for PhD scholarships are announced once a year.
  2. Specific calls, with a predefined research objective – usually part of a collective research project lead by a PI – are announced throughout the year.
  3. 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

When

 Open calls

December

Advertisement for vacant positions is published.

February

Deadline for submitting PhD applications

March

Applications are shortlisted: After the application deadline a selection committee will pre-select PhD applications that will proceed to the academic 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

Applicants are selected for interview and interviews are conducted.  

All applicants are notified about the result of the department’s decision. Successful applicants are offered a scholarship. 

May

Successful candidates receive a formal letter of enrolment and employment.

1 September

The PhD students 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 must comply with the instructions laid out 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 academic assessment. 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 department’s decision. Successful applicants are offered a scholarship. 

2-6 weeks before the enrolment date

The PhD student receives a letter of enrolment and a letter of employment.

Employment date

The PhD students 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 through 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 applicant contacts a relevant department through the PhD coordinator.

Applicants 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 entire 3-year PhD programme.

Applicants bringing their own funds must submit a CV and a PhD project proposal to facilitate a clear picture of the qualifications, research objectives etc. The PhD coordinator will investigate 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 applicant contacts the PhD administration through the PhD coordinator.

The PhD Administration will send guidelines and documents to be filled in and submitted.

Usually, 1-3 months before the enrolment starts

The applicant 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 department and the PhD School, the applicant receives a letter of enrolment and (if relevant) employment.  

Enrolment date

The PhD student begins his or her PhD studies at the University of Copenhagen.

If you have questions regarding the requirements and the application process, please read about the admission requirements and application procedures here

Contact the Phd Administration if you have further questions