Structure of the PhD programme

In the course of an individual PhD programme, there will be many seminars, conferences, workshops and meetings as well as days of desktop research, literature review, data collection, analysing data, and writing and rewriting chapters and articles and so forth.

Individual research, an active engagement in the academic community and knowledge exchange cannot be planned in detail from start to finish. PhD students will continuously discuss and schedule a detailed work plan with their supervisor.

On the other hand, an overall PhD plan structuring the various elements of the three-year programme, which must be formally fulfilled to obtain a PhD degree, must be submitted within 3 months of the start of the programme and approved by all stakeholders.

Below you will find a list of the formal requirements of a PhD programme:

1. Carrying out independent research under supervision (the PhD project)
    
2. Completing PhD courses or other similar programme elements totalling approx. 30 ECTS points
     
3. Participation in active research environments, including stays at other institutions (mainly abroad), private research companies, etc.
    
4. Gaining experience of teaching activities or other form of knowledge dissemination, which is related to your PhD project
    
5. Writing 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.

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, and stay with other, preferably international, research institutions for a substantial amount of time. A stay between 3 to 6 months is recommended. 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 acquire experience with knowledge dissemination. This requirement usually translated into teaching in the University as well as other types of knowledge exchange – e.g. popular dissemination and engagement with civil society.

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 contributes significantly to the research field. The thesis is assessed by an international committee of appointed experts, and must be successfully defended in public.

Read more about the PhD thesis and the Assessment Committee.