The defence ceremony

If The Academic Council accepts a doctoral dissertation for a public defence, the author is asked to set a date that suits the assessment committee as well as the appointed chair of the defence ceremony. Additionally, the author is responsible for booking suitable facilities and all other practical arrangements relating to the defence.

The defence ceremony must be audio recorded. The chair of the defence ceremony is responsible for submitting this recording as well as the statement regarding the defence to the Faculty.

Defence of a doctoral Dissertation (PDF)

Please read the full and printable guidelines: Defence of a doctoral Dissertation

The course of the defence

  • 1

    1. Introduction

    The chair of the defence ceremony asks the audience to rise. The chair of the assessment committee leads the procession with the author and the official opponents to their seats.

  • 2

    2. Welcome

    The chair of the defence ceremony welcomes the audience on behalf of the University of Copenhagen.

  • 3

    3. The defence begins

    The author may start the defence with a lecture of up to 30 minutes on the scientific content of the dissertation.

  • 4

    4. Questioning by opponents

    Each officially appointed opponent has a maximum of 1½ hours for questioning, including the candidate’s response, while each unofficial opponent has a maximum of 45 minutes. The time allotted to opponents may be reduced or increased according to circumstances. The chair of the defence ceremony may allow contributions from opponents who register at the defence, but priority must be given to those who registered in advance. The oral defence in its entirety shall not exceed six hours, including breaks.

  • 5

    5. Chair conclude session

    The chair of the defence ceremony concludes the session and, on behalf of the University of Copenhagen, thanks the assessment committee for their work.

  • 6

    6. Evaluation

    Immediately after the defence ceremony, the opponents are given an opportunity to evaluate the defence of the dissertation, in order to sign the statement regarding the defence. The statement reports whether or not the official opponents find that the doctoral degree can be awarded. An audio recording must be made of the defence. The chair of the defence ceremony will be responsible for submitting the recording, along with the statement regarding the defence, to the Faculty.