1. The PhD programme is a research training programme, which at an international level qualifies the research degree student to independently carry out research, development, and teaching tasks in the private and the public sector where a broad knowledge of research is required.

(2) The PhD programme is completed mainly by conduct of research under supervision.

Objective

The objective of the PhD programmes at Copenhagen Business School (CBS) is to train the research degree student in how to conduct research and to master the scientific methods and tools, etc., linked with research and development tasks within the field.

The contents of the programme must enable the research degree student to independently develop new ideas within the field and initiate and enter into research partnerships and projects both nationally and internationally.

The PhD programme also aims at preparing research degree students for positions in the public or private sector, which requires a broad knowledge of research.

2. The university may award the PhD degree in fields in which the university conducts research, and solely or in collaboration with other universities has established a PhD school.

Place

The PhD programme takes place at one of CBS' PhD schools.

3. The PhD degree shall be awarded to students who have successsfully completed a PhD programme, cf. s. 15, 2, and successsfully defended their PhD thesis.

(2) An awarded PhD degree shall entitle the student to employ the title PhD.

Structure

The CBS PhD programme is equivalent to three years of full-time studies (180 ECTS credits in total) and the programme includes:

• a course programme equivalent to 30 ECTS credits.

• teaching and dissemination courses equivalent to approximately 30 ECTS credits.

• an independent academic project – a PhD thesis.

The PhD programme is described further in s.7.

4. The PhD programme shall be equivalent to 180 ECTS credits and shall normally take the form of full-time studies, however, the universities may lay down internal rules providing for part-time studies.

(2) 60 ECTS credits shall be equivalent to a year of full-time studies.

Duration

The 180 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System) that correspond to three years of full-time studies are calculated from enrolment to submission of the thesis. Thus, the assessment period is not included in the three-year period.

Part-time studies

In each particular case, the PhD school decides whether a research degree student can be enrolled in the PhD programme on a part-time basis.

The duration of the part-time studies will be agreed upon with the PhD school at the time of enrolment.

Extension of enrolment

The enrolment in the PhD programme is normally for three years. Research degree students, who are behind schedule in their studies, are able to apply the PhD Board for an extension of the enrolment. The application must be in writing and reasoned, and the student must present a progress report from the principal supervisor.

The student can apply for an extension of one year at the time. The maximum period of enrolment is seven years for both full- and part-time research degree students, irrespective of any other reasoned leaves of absence than maternity/paternity leave and compulsory military service.

Leave of absence

If the research degree student is not able to carry out his/her studies due to illness, maternity/paternity leave or other circumstances, he/she is entitled to apply for a leave of absence. The student is entitled to apply for a leave of absence both in the ordinary period of enrolment and in any periods of extension. The student shall submit his/her written application for a leave of absence with the endorsement of the principal supervisor, a motivation and an account of status and prospects of the project.

If a research degree student is employed at CBS, and the student is granted a leave of absence from his/her employment, the PhD school grants a leave of absence from the PhD studies in the same period on the basis of an application.

16b. The PhD programme takes place at PhD schools.

(2) The university shall establish the required number of PhD schools.

PhD schools

A PhD school is an organisational unit with a head, who has the overall responsibility of training research degree students within an academically limited and correlated field. It is the responsibility of the PhD school that the enrolled research degree students complete a structured and cohesive programme at the highest international level with courses and supervision that meet the stipulated requirements of quality.

PhD committees corresponding to the number of PhD schools will be appointed.

Pursuant to the bylaws of CBS, the President shall establish and abolish PhD schools at CBS.

16b. (3) The head of the PhD school shall be a respected researcher and have experience of and insight in PhD training.

(4) The head of the PhD school shall appoint the PhD supervisor pursuant to rules laid down by the individual university. The head of the PhD school shall approve research degree students on the recommendation of representatives of the academic staff in the PhD committee.

(5) The head of the PhD school shall together with the PhD committee be responsible for organisation of the PhD programme of the school, including research stays abroad.

(6) The head of the PhD school shall together with the PhD committee be responsible for ongoing evaluation of the activities of the school. The head of the PhD school shall submit these evaluations to the Dean for review. Evaluations and review plans shall be published.

Appointment of the head of a PhD school

The head of a PhD school is appointed by the President

The responsibilities of the heads of the PhD schools

The heads of the PhD schools are mainly responsible for:

• approval of research degree students.

• appointment of supervisors after consulting the head of the department.

• planning of the PhD school’s PhD programme, including research stays abroad.

• evaluation of the activities of the PhD school.

• administration of the assessment period.

• approval of PhD plans, semi-annual reports and briefing of the PhD committee about the contents of the PhD plan.

• approval of applications for leaves of absence.

The head of the PhD school may delegate responsibilities to PhD coordinators at each department/centre.

16b. (7) A PhD committee is appointed to ensure influence on the PhD programme by students.

The PhD committee is mainly responsible for:

1. Recommendation to the Dean of a chairman among the academic staff of the PhD committee and a possible deputy chairman among the students of the PhD committee.

2. Recommendation to the Dean of the composition of the assessment committee.

3. Approval of PhD courses.

4. Preparation of internal guidelines, including supervision, for the PhD school to the head of the PhD school.

5. Statements on evaluations of the PhD programme and guidance to the head of the PhD school.

6. Approval of applications for credit transfer and exemption.

7. Statements within the research field on all issues of importance to PhD programmes and supervision presented by the Dean or a person authorised hereto by the Dean.

(8) The PhD committee shall consist of representatives of the academic staff and the research degree students, and they shall be appointed by and among the academic staff and the research degree students.

(9) Further provisions on establishment of PhD schools and composition of PhD committees shall be laid down in the bylaws. Universities may jointly establish PhD schools with an attachment to one university. Further provisions on PhD schools established as a partnership between universities, including the composition of PhD committees shall be laid down in the bylaws of the participating universities.

The responsibilities of the PhD committees in relation to the Dean of Research are

• to elect its own chairman (academic staff) and a possible deputy chairman (research degree students).

• to recommend the composition of the assessment committee to the Dean of Research on the recommendation of the academic environment.

• to make statements on all relevant issues presented by the Dean.

• to approve PhD courses.

• to draw up proposals for internal guidelines.

The responsibilities of the PhD committees in relation to the head of the PhD school are

• to recommend research degree students for the approval process. this recommendation is made by the representatives of the academic staff.

• to participate in planning and approval of the activities of the PhD school, including research stays abroad.

• to make statements of the evaluation of the activities of the PhD school.

• to approve applications for credit transfer and exemption, but not applications regarding leave of absence.

The composition of the PhD committees

The members of the PhD committees are elected among the academic staff and the research degree students.

The provisions on composition and election are laid down in the bylaws of CBS.

5. Admission to the PhD programme shall be based on a successfully completed master’s degree or equivalent.

(2) The university may decide to let the PhD programme commence in connection with the master’s programme, however, it shall be ensured that the entire study programme has the scope and level as described in ss. 1 and 4. The university shall lay down internal rules thereof.

(3) Students admitted under (2) shall have the opportunity to complete the master’s programme.

Admission requirements

• A master’s degree from a Danish high-level education which, at the discretion of the PhD school in question, provides the student with qualifications to complete the specific PhD programme.

• Another degree, including a foreign degree, which, at the discretion of the PhD school, is equal to the above. Enrolment may be made conditional on tests in crucial academic knowledge with respect to the PhD thesis.

• Admission requirements for the PhD programme are not to be confused with the employment criteria for research degree students according to the agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

• Applications for admission to PhD programmes must be made in writing. As a minimum, the application must include a CV, diploma(s) and a project specification. The PhD school may request further information. This application forms the basis of the PhD committee’s academic recommendation to the head of the PhD school with regard to approval of the admission of the research degree student.

Finances

Enrolment in the PhD programme implies that a studentship is awarded or another agreement has been made on payment of the tuition fee.

Enrolment funded by external resources is provided that the external funding provider (research council, company, foundation, etc.) has funded the completion of the PhD programme.

The PhD school must inform the student of the specific financial obligations that CBS takes on with respect to the specific PhD programme.

Financing arrangement

If external resources contribute to the financing of the programme, a written cooperative agreement regarding other financial aspects, agreements on intellectual property rights, publishing and termination must be presented at the time of enrolment. The cooperative agreement must be approved by the head of the PhD school, the head of the department, and the Dean.

Special admission requirements

In special cases, the PhD school may grant an exemption from the requirement of a prior completed master’s programme (and, for instance, admit students according to the 4+4 scheme), but as a principal rule it is required that the master’s programme is completed before the commencement of the PhD programme.

6. The university shall decide who is to be admitted as research degree students. The internal rules of the university shall stipulate the criteria on which admission shall be based.

Approval of the research degree student

Pursuant to s. 16 (4) of the University Act, the head of the PhD school shall approve research degree students on the recommendation of the academic staff of the PhD committee.

Importance is attached to the following in the approval process:

• The applicant has the necessary academic skills to complete the programme.

• The PhD thesis is completed within the determined programme duration.

• The necessary financial resources are available for the completion of the entire PhD programme, cf. s. 8(5).

• The necessary supervisors can be attached to the research degree student and his/her project, cf. s. 8(5).

If a potential research degree student applies for external resources to fund the PhD programme at CBS, he/she must obtain an approval of admission to the PhD school prior to the application.

6 (2) The research degree student shall be enrolled administratively in the PhD programme.

Administrative enrolment

The enrolment is an administrative consequence of an academic decision to enrol the research degree student and is not the same as employment, just as discontinuation of enrolment is not comparable to termination of employment.

Only educational matters, i.e. enrolment and termination of enrolment, are regulated in the PhD Order and these programme regulations.

As far as employment and termination of employment are concerned, reference is made to the employment provisions.

7. The PhD programme shall be set up in accordance with internal rules laid down by the university.

(2) During the programme, the student shall:

1. Carry out independent research work under supervision (the PhD project).

2. Complete PhD courses equal to approximately 30 ECTS credits.

3. Participate in active research environments, including stays at other, mainly foreign, research institutions.

4. Gain teaching experience or other forms of knowledge dissemination, which, as far as possible, is related to the PhD project of the student in question.

5. Complete a PhD thesis on the basis of the PhD project.

Contents of the PhD programme

The provision stipulates the framework for PhD training scoped for the individual student in his/her PhD plan, cf. s. 9.

The PhD school may clarify these provisions and determine rules on course requirements, seminars, etc.

PhD courses

The academic level of the PhD courses must be higher than the qualifying master’s programme, unless special academic considerations call for a deviation from this principle.

The composition of the courses must both support the completion of the specific research project and give the research degree student an overall competence within theory and methodology of the research field.

The PhD plan must specify a course programme, which meets all requirements for mandatory courses, and seek to ensure that the courses underpin the completion of the project.

The PhD committees can make agreements with national and international partners on the establishment of PhD courses that are rated with ECTS credits.

Participation in active research environments/stays abroad

The requirement that the research degree student must participate in active research environments is best met with stays of a certain duration at another research institution, primarily abroad. CBS must ensure that the research degree student is given the opportunity to make contacts to active researchers outside the PhD school.

Teaching/dissemination

The requirement stated in s. 7(2)4 that research degree students must gain experience in teaching or other kinds of knowledge dissemination does not determine a quantitative limit.

CBS expects that these activities correspond to approximately 30 ECTS credits.

The contents of s. 7(2)4 must not be confused with the requirements attached to paid employment as a research degree student; however, they may be taken into account in this connection.

Cooperative agreements

The research degree student is encouraged to enter into written agreements with external cooperative partners and data sources on collection, storage and publication of empirical material. The PhD school will assist in drafting the agreement on the basis of CBS standard agreements. The agreement is signed by the research degree student and the head of the PhD school, and if necessary, the head of the department.

7 (3) In each particular case, the university may approve that the PhD programme shall not comprise one or more of the programme elements stated in (2)1-4 if the university finds that the research degree student has completed study elements equal thereto (credit transfer).

Credit transfer

The provision enables the university to grant the research degree student credit for relevant qualifications on application. It is, however, important that the level for the overall training programme is not lowered. The PhD committee must approve all applications for credit transfer, cf. s. 16b (7).

An approval of credit transfer are based on the conditions that

• research work may be a part of the PhD project.

• PhD courses are relevant for the research degree student in question.

Change of educational institution

Research degree students are entitled to apply for a change of PhD school or institution during their studies.

8. For each research degree student the university shall appoint a principal supervisor, who shall be responsible for the student’s overall PhD programme. The principal supervisor shall be a recognised researcher within the relevant field, be employed by the university, and affiliated with the PhD school.

(2) On its own initiative or upon application from the research degree student. the university may:

1. Appoint other supervisors, who must be qualified within the relevant field.

2. Replace the principal supervisor and other supervisors.

(3) The university shall offer the research degree student a teaching course.

(4) The university shall offer the research degree student teaching guidance.

(5) The university shall ensure that the required resources are available for the research degree student to complete the PhD programme as laid down in the PhD plan for the student.

(6) The university shall lay down internal rules for supervision of the research degree student.

Two supervisors for each PhD project

Pursuant to s. 16(4), the head of the PhD school appoints PhD supervisors. The research degree students at CBS must have at least two supervisors, of which one of them is designated principal supervisor, cf. ss. 8(1), 10(1), 14(1-3), 16(2), 18(3), and 26(1)1. The principal supervisor must be an associate professor or a professor at CBS.

The principal supervisor is appointed provisionally concurrently with the enrolment of the student and finally concurrently with the approval of the PhD plan. The other supervisor is appointed concurrently with the approval of the PhD plan. The supervisors will cooperate on the supervision of the research degree student throughout the programme in compliance with the above sections in the Ministerial Order that calls for a principal supervisor. The supervisor, who is not the principal supervisor, may be from another university, a company, a government research institution, etc.

Supervision hours

The PhD school determines the number of supervision hours and framework for the distribution of supervision hours between the supervisors.

Change of supervisor team

It is possible to appoint further supervisors and to replace the principal supervisor or other supervisors during the project.

If a research degree student wishes to replace the supervisor, he/she must submit a written application to the head of the PhD school with a reason and a brief account of the project status.

Educational theory and dissemination training

CBS offers seminars and workshops in educational theory and dissemination to the research degree students. These courses are not a mandatory part of the PhD programme and the student does not receive any ECTS credits.

9. Within three months of the commencement of the PhD programme, the university shall approve a research and study plan (the PhD plan) for the individual PhD student.

(2) As a minimum, the PhD plan shall contain:

1. A schedule.

2. An agreement on the type of supervision provided.

3. A plan for the PhD project.

4. A plan for PhD courses.

5. A plan for participation in active research environments.

6. A plan for teaching activities or other types of knowledge dissemination.

7. Agreements on intellectual property rights, if any.

8. A financing plan (budget).

Objective

A PhD plan specifies the PhD studies for the individual student pursuant to s. 7(2).

Contents

The PhD plan is formulated by the research degree student in cooperation with the supervisor(s) and by consultation of the PhD coordinator, alternatively the head of the PhD school.

Time frame

The PhD plan must be approved by the supervisor(s), the head of the PhD school and the head of the department no later than three months after the commencement of the PhD programme. Pursuant to s. 10, it is allowed to make adjustments to the plan in connection with the semi-annual reports, just as small changes, such as specific agreements on research stays at other institutions, course participation, etc., which is not in place after three months, can be added afterwards.

10. The university shall on a regular basis during the PhD programme assess whether the PhD student is following the PhD plan and, if necessary, adjust the plan. The assessment shall be based on an opinion from the principal supervisor, who, after having consulted the research degree student, shall confirm that the PhD programme is carried out according to the PhD plan or justify in writing why adjustments are required. The research degree student shall be given the opportunity to submit his/her comments on the opinion within a deadline of at least two weeks. In the assessment, the university shall allow fully for periods of documented illness, maternity/paternity leave and other approved leave of absence. The university shall lay down internal rules on the frequency of such assessments.

(2) If the university assesses that the research degree student is not following the PhD plan in spite of adjustments made to the plan, the student shall be given three months to rectify this. The three months shall not give rise to an extension of the PhD programme.

(3) The university shall make a new assessment as stated in s. 10

(4) If the assessment as described in (3) is negative, the enrolment in the programme shall be cancelled. The university shall inform any other employer of the expulsion without delay.

The semi-annual reports

At CBS, an assessment of the progress is taking place on an ongoing basis by means of semi-annual reports.

The semi-annual report must give an account of the completed parts of the programme (including course and dissemination activities) and the lacking parts of the programme.

The semi-annual report must contain any adjustments made to the PhD plan.

The semi-annual report is endorsed by the principal supervisor and submitted to the head of the PhD school for approval. The assessment must allow fully for approved leave of absence.

Failure to meet requirements

In case of a negative semi-annual report, the research degree student must be informed of the inadequacies in such a manner that he/she is able to take a specific approach to them. The research degree student must at the same time be informed of the current time limits, cf. s. 10(2).

Unsolicited cancellation of enrolment

In case the research degree student fails to follow up on the project plan, his/her enrolment in the PhD school may be cancelled. The research degree student is entitled to bring such a decision before the Academic Council at Copenhagen Business School within two weeks.

Termination of employment is subject to the general employment provisions.

Closing seminar

No later than three months before estimated submission of the thesis (cf. the latest semi-annual report), the draft of the thesis will be assessed, also by opponents who are not supervisors. This evaluation is performed with the purpose of helping the research degree student to target the last months’ work at a timely delivery.

11. The PhD thesis shall document the ability of the author to apply relevant scientific methods and to carry out research work in compliance with the international standards for PhD degrees within the relevant field.

12. The university shall lay down internal rules on the writing and submission of the PhD thesis.

(2) A PhD thesis cannot be submitted for assessment by two or more authors in partnership.

Requirements

A PhD thesis is an independent piece of work that builds on individual PhD studies. Therefore it is not possible to submit a PhD thesis jointly for assessment. It is allowed, however, to carry out the underlying research project in cooperation with others.

Directional standard formats

The thesis may be of several formats, including the monograph and the article-based thesis. Since the monograph is a well-known format, the following describes the article-based thesis:

An article-based thesis should contain at least three articles as well as a mandatory introduction and a conclusion that presents the independent articles of the thesis as a whole by placing the articles in a theoretical frame, present common literature, make references, etc.

For each individual article, it is a requirement that it provides an independent and separate analytical contribution to the academic field; that it is of the same extent as a standard article, i.e. approximately 20-30 standard pages, and that it is suitable for publication in respected scientific journals with judgments by colleagues. It should be attempted to publish or have accepted for publication at least one of the articles at the time of submission of the thesis.

The articles can be co-written, but at least one of them must be written alone. Any co-authors must state the extent of their contribution.

Irrespective of publication, the assessment committee is responsible for the final assessment of the quality of the article-based thesis.

Choice of thesis format

The format of the thesis must be specified in the third semi-annual report.

12. (3) The PhD thesis shall contain an abstract in Danish and English.

The PhD thesis must be written in Danish or English, but can be written in other languages by agreement with the supervisors and approval of the assessment committee.

At the time of submission, the PhD thesis must be supplemented by concluding accounts (summaries) of the scientific results that has been obtained. The thesis must contain summaries in both Danish and English and – if written in another language – in this language.

12. (4) Any articles included in the thesis may be written in cooperation with others, provided that each co-author submits a written declaration stating the author’s contribution to the work.

Declaration by co-author

Any co-authors must state the extent of their contribution to the relevant articles.

13. The enrolment of the student shall expire upon the submission of the thesis.

Discontinuation of enrolment in the PhD programme.

The three years of PhD studies comprise dissemination, courses, and the independent PhD project, including preparation of the PhD thesis. The programme is completed when the thesis is submitted. Thus, the assessment process is not included in the three years.The research degree student must inform the PhD school of the date of submission two months before he/she expects to submit the thesis.

In case the thesis is submitted earlier than expected, it is still considered received by the initial deadline.

If the thesis is not submitted by the set deadline, the PhD school is allowed to decide that the thesis is submitted three months later at the earliest.

When the PhD school is informed of a submission of a thesis, the principal supervisor's assessment of the completion of the programme is obtained, especially on the fulfilment of the course and dissemination requirements. No later than a month before submission, the PhD school must inform the research degree student if the requirements for the completion of the programme are met. The research degree student is consulted pursuant to s. 14(2).

If the requirements have been met, the thesis can be submitted and enrolment is discontinuated.

If the requirements have not been met, they must be met before submission of the thesis.

14. Within one week of the submission of the thesis, the principal supervisor shall submit an opinion on the PhD programme as a whole, including the completion of the individual elements of the PhD plan, cf. s. 9.

(2) If the principal supervisor states in the opinion that the PhD programme has not been completed satisfactorily, the author shall be entitled to at least two weeks to comment on the opinion of the principal supervisor.

(3) On the basis of the opinion of the principal supervisor, cf. (1), the comments of the author if any, cf. (2), and the regular assessments, cf. s. 10(1), the university shall determine whether the PhD programme has been completed satisfactorily.

The principal supervisor’s opinion on the overall PhD programme

Pursuant to s. 13, research degree students at CBS must give notice to the PhD school of his/her submission two months before the scheduled submission deadline, and the principal supervisor must submit his opinion as soon as possible after this notice, so the assessment process is not delayed.

15. The thesis shall only be accepted for assessments if the PhD programme has been completed satisfactorily, however, cf. (2).

(2) In special cases the university may decide that a thesis may be accepted for an assessment without the author having completed the PhD programme if the university assesses that the author has in other ways acquired other qualifications equal thereto.

Assessment of the thesis

The overall PhD programme must be completed satisfactorily before the thesis can be assessed.

Exemption clause

The PhD school is entitled to assess if the author in any other way has gained qualifications that correspond to a completed PhD programme. If such qualifications can be presented by the submission deadline, the thesis is ready for assessment.

16. No later than immediately after submission of the PhD thesis, the university shall appoint an expert assessment committee composed of three members. The university shall appoint a chairman among the members of the committee.

(2) The members of the assessment committee shall be recognised researchers within the relevant field. Two of the members shall be external researchers, of whom at least one of them shall be foreign, unless this is not practicable considering the subject in question. The supervisors of the research degree student shall not be members of the assessment committee; however, the principal supervisor shall assist the assessment committee without having any voting rights.

Assessment Committee

S. 16(7)2 of the University Act stipulates that the PhD committee makes recommendations to the Dean for the composition of the assessment committee.The head of the PhD school recommends the assessment committee to the PhD committee after consulting the supervisors and the head of the department.

Time frame

To facilitate the keeping of the time limits for the assessment committee’s recommendation, cf. s. 18(1) and the holding of the defence, cf. s. 20(2), the composition of the assessment committee should be commenced immediately after the research degree student gives notice of his/her submission, cf. s. 13, so the assessment committee is appointed at the time of submission.

Composition

The chairman of the assessment committee must be an associate professor or a professor at CBS.

Two of the members must come from outside CBS, which means that they cannot be employed at CBS. It is emphasised that at least one member is from abroad. There may, however, be special academic considerations that allow a deviation from this principle.

The principal supervisor of the research degree student is appointed to the assessment committee but is not entitled to vote in connection with the recommendations of the committee. This means that the principal supervisor follows the assessment process and is entitled to participate in meetings and other activities in connection with this.

17. Immediately after the appointment of the assessment committee, the university shall inform the author thereof. The author shall be entitled to object to the members appointed within a period of at least one week.

Right of objection

The author is informed of the composition of the assessment committee and is entitled to object to the members within a week.

The author is informed of the final composition of the committee and has one week to withdraw the thesis before preliminary assessment.

18. No later than two months after the submission of the thesis, the assessment committee shall make its recommendation to the university as to whether the PhD thesis meets the requirements for the award of the PhD degree. The recommendation shall be reasoned, and in the event of disagreement, the majority shall prevail. The university shall send a copy of the recommendation to the author forthwith.

(2) If the recommendation is favourable, the defence of the thesis shall be made.

(3) If the recommendation is not favourable, the assessment committee shall state in the recommendation whether the PhD thesis may be resubmitted in a revised version. In such case, a deadline for resubmission shall be stated. The author and the principal supervisor shall be given the opportunity to submit their comments on the recommendation within a deadline of at least two weeks.

(4) If the thesis is not favourable according to the recommendation, the university shall make one of the following decisions based on the recommendation of the assessment committee and the comments of the author and the principal supervisor if any:

1. The defence of the thesis may not take place.

2. The thesis may be resubmitted in a revised version within a deadline of at least three months. If the thesis is resubmitted, it shall be assessed by the same assessment committee, unless special circumstances apply.

3. The thesis shall be submitted for assessment by a new assessment committee.

The tasks of the assessment committee

The preliminary assessment must contain a review of the strong and weak points of the thesis and an identification of the thesis’s contribution to the research field. Furthermore, it should be stated whether the thesis is recommended for an oral defence.

The chairman of the assessment committee sends a recommendation of the thesis to the PhD school and the principal supervisor no later than two months after submission.

Immediately after receipt the PhD school sends the recommendation to the author and the head of the department.

19. The PhD thesis shall be defended in public and in accordance with internal rules laid down by the university. At the defence, the author shall be given the opportunity to explain his or her work and defend the PhD thesis before the members of the assessment committee.

(2) The university shall ensure that the PhD thesis is made available to the public in due time before the defence.

Publication

CBS Library offers electronic publication of the thesis. The thesis must be made public at least 10 days before the public defence.

In addition, the thesis is the property of the author and cannot be made subject to lending, sale, or redistribution without the author’s written consent.

The defence

The supervisor is in charge of the defence.

The common members of the assessment committee act as opponents.

The defence will take approximately two hours with an intermission.

The defence starts with the research degree student’s account of his work. Then the members of the assessment committee act as opponents. After the public defence, other persons are allowed to ask supplementary questions.

20. The university shall decide the time and the place for the public defence.

(2) The defence shall take place two weeks after the submission of recommendation by the assessment committee, cf. s. 18(1), at the earliest, and no later than three months after the submission of the PhD thesis, cf. (3).

(3) If special circumstances apply, the university may decide to postpone the defence. Postponement of the defence is subject to an agreement between the author and the university, including the date arranged for the defence.

Time of defence

The time of the defence is determined with respect to keeping of the deadline in s. 20(2).

The time is agreed between the PhD school and the author.

Postponement of the defence

If special circumstances apply, the defence can be postponed. This especially applies to cases in which protection of intellectual property rights necessitates a postponement, but also cases in which the author wishes to perform small revisions of the thesis. Such requests must be submitted in writing to the PhD school immediately after the author has received the assessment. The PhD school is entitled to dismiss the request if it leads to an unreasonably lengthy postponement of the defence.

If the research degree student makes any changes in the assessed thesis, he/she must submit a list of those changes well in advance of the oral defence. The list is submitted to the PhD school and is then forwarded to the assessment committee.

21. Immediately after the defence, the assessment committee shall make it recommendation as to whether the PhD degree should be awarded and shall notify the university and the author thereof. The recommendation shall be reasoned and, in the event of disagreement, the majority shall prevail.

(2) If the recommendation made by the assessment committee is negative, the university may decide to let the thesis be assessed by a new assessment committee, if so requested by the author within a period of at least one week.

The recommendation made by the assessment committee

The assessment committee must on the basis of the thesis and the defence assess whether the requirements for the thesis and the defence have been met. The recommendation made by the assessment committee is disclosed immediately after the defence and must be submitted to the PhD school in writing as soon as possible.

The PhD school informs the Academic Council of the recommendation made by the assessment committee.

22. The PhD degree shall be awarded if the assessment committee submits a recommendation.

Award of the PhD Degree

The decision to award the PhD degree is made by the Academic Council immediately after the assessment committee has made the final recommendation.

23. The university shall issue a certificate of the award of the PhD degree.

(2) The certificate shall be issued in Danish and English and contain information on the relevant field and the subject of the PhD thesis as well as information on the completed PhD programme.

Drafting of the PhD degree certificate

The PhD school issues the PhD degree certificate.

The certificate must contain relevant information about the studies and thesis of the individual research degree student. It should be apparent whether individual elements of the PhD programme have been calculated in ECTS.

24. If the PhD degree is not awarded, the university shall upon request issue documentation in both Danish and English concerning the elements of the PhD programme that have been completed satisfactorily.

Drafting of certificate in case of discontinuation of the PhD programme

Research degree students who have discontinued their PhD studies or who have not submitted their thesis etc., are entitled to receive documentation for those parts of the PhD programme, for instance PhD courses and experience in teaching and/or knowledge dissemination that have been completed satisfactorily.

25. The university shall lay down internal rules on:

1. Admission to the PhD programme, cf. s. 5(2) and s.6 (1).

2. Organisation of the PhD programme, cf. s. 4(1), s. 7(1), and s. 10(1).

3. Appointment of the principal supervisor, cf. s. 8(1), and further supervisors if necessary, cf. s. 8(2), and s. 26(1)1.

4. Supervision of research degree students, cf. s. 8(6).

5. Writing and submission of the PhD thesis, cf. s. 12(1).

6. Defence of the PhD thesis, cf. s. 19(1).

(2) The internal rules shall stipulate that the university may grant exemptions from the provisions laid down by the university.

(3) The internal rules and significant amendments thereto shall comprise the necessary transition arrangements.

(4) The internal rules in force shall be made public on the website of the university.

CBS may grant exemptions from all provisions in these programme regulations solely laid down by CBS, including

• Admission to the PhD programme.

• Grant of exemption in relation to the enrolment period.

• Organisation of the PhD programme.

• Appointment of supervisor.

• Supervision of the research degree student.

• Requirements for writing and submission of the PhD thesis.

• Defence regulations.

Transition regulations are enshrined in s. 29

Availablility

These regulations are published on CBS’ website.

26. The following shall apply to PhD studentships financed by the Danish Council for Technology and Innovation.

1. In addition to the principal supervisor, cf. s. 8(1), the university shall appoint a supervisor affiliated with the company, in which the research degree student is employed. Such supervisor shall be qualified within the relevant field.

2. At least one of the members of the assessment committee, cf. s. 16(1), shall have company-relevant research experience within field in question.

Special regulations regarding industrial research degree students

The Industrial PhD Agreement is regulated by this part of the Ministerial Order.

The provision only regulates the PhD programme for research degree students, whose studentships are financed by the Danish Council for Technology and Innovation – also referred to as the Industrial PhD Agreement.

Objective

This agreement aims at promoting research and development in Danish private and public organisations by training researchers with an insight into the industrial aspects of research and development as well as creating personal networks with the purpose of exchanging knowledge between the companies/organisations and Danish and/or foreign universities/research institutions.

Employment

Industrial research degree students are employed at the company/organisation in question, but are on a parity with CBS’ other research degree students in terms of enrolment.

The composition of the assessment committee

In connection with the appointment of an assessment committee for an industrial PhD project, at least one of the members must have experience with company-related research within the scientific field in question.

27. The Danish University and Property Agency shall be entitled to grant exemptions from this Ministerial Order if special circumstances apply. This shall, however, not apply to cases in which the university grants exemptions, cf. ss. 5(2), 7(3), 15(2).

(2) The Agency may allow deviations from this Ministerial Order as part of a trial.

Grants of exemption with regard to the Ministerial Order

The provision entitles the Agency to grant exemptions from the provisions of the Ministerial Order in specific cases.

The provision entitles the Agency to grant exemptions from the provisions of the Ministerial Order when the university submits an application for trials that deviate from the provisions of the Ministerial Order.

28. The decisions made by the university pursuant to this Ministerial Order may be referred to the Danish University and Property Agency if the complaint concerns legal issues. Complaints shall be submitted within two weeks of the complainant having been informed of the decision.

(2) The research degree students and the authors described in this Ministerial Order shall be entitled to make complaints. Nevertheless, in order to be entitled to submit complaints, authors who have not completed the PhD programme shall have had their PhD thesis accepted for assessment pursuant to s. 15(2).

(3) The complaint shall be submitted to the university and the university shall issue an opinion. The complainant shall be given the opportunity to comment on this opinion within a deadline of at least one week. The university shall send the complaint to the Agency enclosing the opinion of the university and any comments from the complainant.

(4) It shall not be possible to refer the decisions of the Agency to higher administrative authorities.

Authority to consider legal issues

The provision specifies the ordinary complaints procedure and stipulates that the Agency solely is entitled to process complaints regarding legal issues.

Persons entitled to file a justified complaint

The provision states who is entitled to file a justified complaint Authors, who have not completed a PhD programme, but who have had their thesis assessed pursuant to s.15(2), are entitled to file a complaint about the decisions of the university in connection with the assessment of the thesis. As a result thereof, a rejection cannot be submitted to the Agency.

29. This Ministerial Order shall enter into force on 1 February 2008.

(2) At the same time, Ministerial Order no. 114 of 8 March 2002 on the PhD programme and the PhD degree shall be repealed, however, cf. (3) and (4).

(3) Research degree students having commenced the PhD programme before 1 February 2008 shall be entitled to complete the PhD programme pursuant to the provisions of Ministerial Order no. 114 of 8 March 2002, however, the assessment and defence of the thesis and the decision on the award of the PhD degree shall be subject to the provisions of this Ministerial Order.

(4) Research degree students and authors, cf. section 28(2), who have submitted their thesis before 1 February 2008, shall be entitled to decide that the assessment, defence, and award of the PhD degree shall be subject to Ministerial Order no. 114 of 8 March 2002.

(5) The university shall lay down transitional rules for research degree students and authors who are covered by (3) and (4), but who wish to complete the PhD programme and to have their thesis assessed, etc., pursuant to the provisions of this Ministerial Order.

Research degree students subject to s. 29(3) or (4) of the Ministerial Order may upon request to the PhD school be transferred from the old to the new Ministerial Order.

Research degree students that expect to complete their studies before 1 April 2009 may apply to the PhD school for exemption from the provision on the closing seminar, cf. Chapter 5, s. 10, unless an equivalent requirement is stated in the former programme regulations or other regulations.

Research degree students that expect to complete their studies before 1 April 2010 are exempted from the requirement for two supervisors, cf. Chapter 4, s. 8.

In all other areas, these programme regulations replace prior programme regulations at CBS as at 1 October 2008.