Timeline Defense

Each graduate school has slightly different requirements, so please check what the additional requirements are with your supervisors and your graduate school. The general official steps of finishing your PhD are listed down below, more detailed information can be found here: link to roadmap.

1. Write a manuscript.
2. Set up Manuscript Committee: The Dean will set up a Manuscript Committee and your PhD supervisor can issue advice on the composition of this committee.
3. Evaluation of Manuscript Committee: The Manuscript Committee will decide whether the work is of sufficient quality within five weeks of receipt of the manuscript.

• If the Manuscript Committee judges that the PhD thesis is among the top 5 to 10 per cent of dissertations, the Manuscript Committee will advise the Dean to establish a Cum Laude Committee.

4. Set a graduation date.

• Think about whether you want to organize a reception, party and dinner with the manuscript committee around this date.

5. The registrar checks the formal requirements.
6. Printing the PhD thesis: You must arrange the printing of your own thesis and can declare your printing costs.
7. Hand in thesis to the Doctoral Examination Board.
8. Submitting your PhD thesis: Deliver 10 copies of your thesis to the registrar. Also deliver a digital copy to the University Library.
9. Defending your thesis: During the PhD graduation ceremony in front of the Doctoral Examination Board.
10. Deliberation and decision of the Doctoral Examination Board.
11. Awarding the doctorate & signing the diploma.

Rapid graduation bonus: you might be able to get a rapid graduation bonus. Ask your graduate school about this.