Structure of the PhD programme

The 3-year individual PhD programme includes many different activities. Besides individual research and the writing of a PhD thesis, PhD students complete courses, carry out assigned work tasks (usually teaching), complete a research stay in an institution external to UCPH (usually abroad), disseminates their research, and engage in the academic community both at home and internationally.

 The PhD program is structured by a PhD plan that contains the basic elements that must be fulfilled to obtain a PhD degree. This plan is to be submitted within 3 months of the start of the programme and approved by all stakeholders. These elements are:

1. Carry out independent research under supervision (the PhD project)
    
2. Complete PhD courses or other similar programme elements totalling approx. 30 ECTS points (the equivalent of half a year of course work)
     
3. Participate in active research environments external to UCPH, including stays at other institutions (mainly abroad), private research companies, etc.
    
4. Gain experience of teaching at university level or other form of knowledge dissemination, related to the PhD project
    
5. Write a PhD thesis based on the PhD project and a public defence

1. Independent research work

A specific research project constitutes the main part of an individual PhD programme and serves as the basis for the final PhD thesis. It may be an independent project or an integrated part of a larger, collective research project. In all cases, PhD students must write an independent description of the PhD project, detailing its objectives, problem statement, state of the art, theory and method, data, expected results and contribution to the relevant research field, and a general timeline for its completion. Research work is carried out under continuous supervision by a tenured faculty member.

2.PhD courses

During the PhD programme, students will complete coursework or other learning activities adding up to approx. 30 ECTS credits, which corresponds to six months of study. In the PhD school in the Humanities, only the introductory course (including a course in responsible conduct of research and data management) is mandatory. Other PhD courses may be elected from the PhD School’s course catalogue or from other institutions, nationally or internationally, offering courses at PhD level.

Read about the PhD courses.

3. Changing research environment

PhD students are formally required to change research environment during their PhD programme, preferably by visiting other international research institutions for a substantial amount of time.  A stay between 3 to 6 months is encouraged. Shorter stays may also be approved. 

4. Knowledge dissemination: Teaching and other kinds of knowledge exchange

As part of their PhD programme, PhD students must either teach or acquire other experience with knowledge dissemination. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking on teaching obligations or by other types of knowledge exchange such as popular dissemination or engagement with policy makers or civil society actors.

5. PhD thesis and public defence

The PhD programme ends by the submission of a PhD thesis. The thesis is an original piece of scientific work that complies with international academic standards and significantly contributes to the research field. The thesis is assessed by an international committee of appointed experts and must be successfully defended publicly.

Read more about the PhD thesis and the Assessment Committee.