Structure of the PhD programme
Although the PhD programme will include many different activities, the 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:
- Carrying out independent research under supervision (the PhD project)
- Completing PhD courses or other similar programme elements totalling approx. 30 ECTS points (the equivalent of half a year of course work)
- Participation in active research environments, including stays at other institutions (mainly abroad), private research companies, etc.
- Gaining experience of teaching activities or other form of knowledge dissemination, which is related to your PhD project
- 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 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.
The PhD School in Law offers a mixture of compulsory and optional PhD courses, which are as a whole presented as a full program – the idea being to present PhD students with the right courses at the right time during their PhD studies, yet with enough flexibility to accommodate special needs in terms of substance as well as timing. Other PhD courses may be elected from other institutions, nationally or internationally, offering courses at PhD level.
Read about PhD courses at the Faculty of Law.
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.
The PhD plan
The PhD plan governs the entire course of an individual PhD programme. It serves as an agreement between the PhD student and all the stakeholders involved in the PhD programme. Therefore, it needs to be agreed upon and approved by the principal supervisor, the PhD coordinator, the hiring manager, the PhD administration, and the head of the PhD School.
The PhD plan is to be updated on a continuous basis. You may think of it as a project management tool that is continually updated in a collaboration between the PhD student and the principal supervisor.
Read more about the PhD plan (intranet).