Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme

Purpose, structure etc.

1.-(1) The PhD degree programme is a PhD programme aiming to train PhD students at an international level to undertake research, development and teaching assignments in the private and public sectors, for which a broad knowledge of research is required.

(2) The PhD degree programme mainly comprises active research training under supervision.

2.-(1) The ministerial order applies to PhD degree programmes at universities and higher artistic educational institutions under the Ministry of Research, Education and Digitalisation.

(2) The institutions, see subsection (1), may award the PhD degree within fields within which they conduct research and within which they have set up a graduate school, either independently or in cooperation with other institutions covered by the ministerial order.

3.-(1) The PhD degree is awarded to students who have successfully completed the PhD degree programme, see, however, section 18(2) and (3), and successfully defended their PhD dissertation.

(2) Persons who have been awarded a PhD degree have the right to use the title PhD.

4.-(1) The PhD degree programme is equivalent to 180 ECTS credits and is normally organised as a full-time programme but may be organised as a part-time programme in accordance with rules laid down by the institution.

5.-(1) Admission to the PhD degree programme is based on a Master’s degree programme or equivalent degree. A completed Master's degree programme comprising at least 75 ECTS credits qualifies the applicant for direct admission. However, the university may make admission conditional upon completion of a research preparatory programme, see section 6 (1).

6.-(1) The university can make admission to the PhD degree programme conditional upon the applicant completing a research preparatory programme, if the university assesses that the applicant needs to further develop their research-relevant competences. An offer of a research preparatory programme may only be made to an applicant who has completed a qualification at Master's degree level comprising fewer than 120 ECTS credits.

(2) A research preparatory programme may comprise up to 45 ECTS credits. The programme must consist of educational activities with learning objectives focused on the applicant's research-relevant competences.

(3) The university lays down additional rules governing the terms and conditions of the research preparatory programme.

7.-(1) An applicant who accepts an offer of a research preparatory programme is enrolled in a combined PhD programme consisting of the research preparatory programme and the PhD degree programme.

(2) The PhD student must be employed either by the university or by an external employer throughout the combined PhD programme, see subsection (1).

(3) The PhD student may commence the PhD degree programme once the university has approved the satisfactory completion of the research preparatory programme.

8.-(1) The university may decide to allow a Master's degree student to commence the PhD degree programme. The university ensures that the combined study programme satisfies the requirements as to scope and level set out in sections 1 and 4. The university lays down rules governing the combined programme, see, however, subsections (2) and (3).

(2) Students admitted under subsection (1) must have the opportunity to complete the Master's degree programme.

(3) If the university has introduced registration requirements for subject elements for Master's degree students, see section 53 of the University Programme Order, students who are enrolled concurrently in a Master's degree programme and a PhD degree programme must each year be registered for subject elements on the Master's degree programme and the PhD degree programme corresponding to the registration requirement.

9.-(1) The institution determines who may be admitted as PhD students. The institution's rules specify the criteria on which admission is based.

(2) The PhD student is administratively enrolled in the PhD degree programme.

10.-(1) The PhD degree programme is organised in accordance with rules laid down by the institution, see, however, subsection (2).

(2) The PhD degree programme comprises of:

1. Completion of an independent research project under supervision (the PhD project).
2. Completion of PhD courses or other similar educational elements corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS credits.
3. Participation in active research environments, including stays at other research institutions, primarily abroad, private research enterprises, etc.
4. Acquisition of experience in teaching activities or other forms of knowledge dissemination related to the candidate's PhD project.
5. Preparation of a PhD thesis based on the PhD project.

(3) In individual cases, the institution may approve that the PhD degree programme does not include one or more of the educational elements referred to in subsection (2), nos. 1-4, if the institution assesses that the PhD student has otherwise completed equivalent educational elements (credit transfer).

11.(1) For each PhD student, the institution appoints a main supervisor who is responsible for the overall PhD degree programme. The main supervisor must be a recognised researcher within the relevant field, be employed by the institution and affiliated with the PhD school.

(2) The university may, on its own initiative or at the request of the PhD student:

1. Appoint additional supervisors who are qualified within the relevant field.
2. Replace the main supervisor and other supervisors.

(3) The institution offers the PhD student a course in academic dissemination.

(4) The institution offers the PhD student guidance on teaching activities.

(5) The institution ensures that the necessary resources are available to enable the individual PhD student to complete the PhD degree programme as set out in the student's PhD plan.

(6) The institution lays down rules governing the supervision of PhD students.

12.- (1) No later than three months after the start of the PhD degree programme, the institution approves a research and study plan (the PhD plan) for the individual PhD student.

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

1. A timetable.
2. An agreement on the form of supervision.
3. A plan for the PhD project.
4. A plan for PhD courses etc.
5. A plan for participation in active research environments.
6. A plan for teaching activities or other forms of knowledge dissemination.
7. A financing plan (budget).
8. Any agreements concerning intellectual property rights.

13.- (1) Throughout the PhD degree programme, the institution regularly assesses whether the PhD student is following the PhD plan and adjusts the plan where necessary. The assessment is based on a report from the main supervisor who, following discussions with the PhD student, confirms that the PhD degree programme is being completed in accordance with the PhD plan or provides a written account of any necessary adjustments to the plan. The PhD student must be given the opportunity to submit comments on the report within a period of at least two weeks. In making the assessment, the institution must take documented illness, parental leave and other approved leave into consideration. The institution lays down rules governing the frequency of such assessments.

(2) If the institution assesses that the PhD student is not following the PhD plan despite any adjustments made thereto, the institution must offer the PhD student a period of three months in which to remedy the situation. The three-month period may not in itself result in an extension of the PhD degree programme. An offer to remedy the situation in connection with a regular assessment under subsection (1) may only be given to a PhD student once during the entire PhD degree programme.

(3) As soon as possible following the expiry of the three-month period, the institution carries out a new assessment in accordance with subsection (1).

(4) If the assessment under subsection (3) is negative, enrolment in the PhD degree programme is terminated. The institution must as soon as possible notify any other employer that the enrolment has been terminated.

14.-(1) The PhD thesis must demonstrate the PhD student's or author's ability to apply the scientific methods of the discipline and to carry out research at a level corresponding to the international standards for PhD degrees within the field concerned.

15.-(1) The institution lays down rules governing the preparation and submission of the PhD thesis, see, however, subsections (2)-(5).

(2) A PhD thesis may not be submitted for assessment by two or more authors jointly.

(3) The PhD thesis must be accompanied by abstracts in Danish and English.

(4) Articles included in the thesis may have been prepared in collaboration with others, provided that written declarations from each co-author are enclosed specifying the contribution made by the PhD student or author, see, however, subsection (5).

(5) The institution may lay down rules limiting the number of declarations required under subsection (4). However, the principal author of an article must in all cases submit a written declaration pursuant to subsection (4).

16.-(1) The PhD student's enrolment at the institution terminates upon submission of the thesis.

17.-(1) No later than one week after the submission of the thesis, the main supervisor submits a report on the PhD programme, including the completion of the individual elements of the PhD plan, see section 12.

(2) If, in the report, the main supervisor recommends that the PhD degree programme has not been satisfactorily completed, the PhD student must be given the opportunity to submit comments on the report within a period of at least two weeks.

(3) On the basis of the main supervisor's report, see subsection (1), any comments submitted by the PhD student, see subsection (2), and the regular assessments, see section 13.(1), the Institution determines whether the PhD degree programme as a whole has been satisfactorily completed.

18.-(1) A thesis may only be accepted for assessment if the PhD degree programme has been satisfactorily completed, see, however, subsections (2) and (3).

(2) In special circumstances, the institution may decide to accept a thesis for assessment without the author having completed a PhD degree programme, if the institution assesses that the author has otherwise acquired qualifications comparable thereto.

(3) The institution may accept for assessment a PhD thesis prepared by a PhD student from a foreign educational institution, provided that the PhD student has completed study periods at the Danish institution as part of a mutually binding collaboration agreement concerning PhD education, including assessment, defence, degree award, etc., and the institution assesses that the PhD student has acquired qualifications comparable to those obtained through a Danish PhD degree programme.

19.-(1) No later than upon submission of the PhD thesis, the institution appoints an expert assessment committee consisting of three members. The institution appoints one of the members as chair of the committee.

(2) The members of the assessment committee must be recognised researchers within the relevant field, see, however, section 32(2) and section 33(2). Two of the members must be external researchers, one of whom must be from outside Denmark, unless this is impracticable from an academic perspective. The PhD student's supervisors may not be members of the assessment committee; however, the main supervisor participates in the committee's deliberations without voting rights.

20.-(1) Immediately following the appointment of the assessment committee, the institution informs the PhD student or the author, see section 15(2). The PhD student or the author may object to the appointed members within a period of at least one week.

21.-(1) No later than two months after the submission of the thesis, the assessment committee submits its recommendation to the institution as to whether the PhD thesis is suitable as the basis for the award of the PhD degree. The month of July is not included in the calculation of the two-month period. The recommendation must be reasoned and, in the event of disagreement, based on the majority opinion. The institution must as soon as possible provide the PhD student or the author with a copy of the recommendation.

(2) If the thesis is found suitable according to the recommendation, the public defence may take place.

(3) If the thesis is not found suitable according to the recommendation, the assessment committee must state in its recommendation whether the PhD thesis may be resubmitted in a revised version and, if so, within what period. The PhD student or the author and the main supervisor must be given the opportunity to submit comments on the recommendation within a period of at least two weeks.

(4) If the thesis is not found suitable according to the recommendation, the institution shall, based on the recommendation of the assessment committee and any comments submitted by the PhD student or the author and the main supervisor, make one of the following decisions:

1. That the public defence may not take place.
2. That the PhD thesis may be resubmitted in a revised version within a period of at least three months. If the PhD thesis is resubmitted, it must be assessed by the previously appointed assessment committee unless special circumstances apply.
3. That the PhD thesis is to be assessed by a new assessment committee.

22.-(1) The PhD thesis is defended at a public defence in accordance with rules laid down by the institution. At the defence, the PhD student or the author must be given an opportunity to explain the work and defend the PhD thesis before the members of the assessment committee, see, however, subsection (3).

(2) The institution must ensure that the PhD thesis is made publicly available within a reasonable period before the defence.

(3) If unusual circumstances apply, the institution may, in agreement with the PhD student or the author, decide that a scheduled defence may be conducted with the participation of only two members of the assessment committee.

23.-(1) The institution determines the time and place of the public defence.

(2) The defence must take place no earlier than two weeks after the assessment committee has submitted its recommendation, see section 21(1), and no later than three months after the submission of the PhD thesis, see, however, subsection (3) and section 21(1), second sentence.

(3) If unusual circumstances apply, the institution may decide to postpone the defence. A postponement of the defence requires an agreement between the PhD student or the author and the institution, including agreement on the time of the defence.

24.-(1) Immediately following the defence, the assessment committee submits a recommendation as to whether the PhD degree should be awarded and communicates the recommendation to the institution and the PhD student or the author. The recommendation must be reasoned and, in the event of disagreement, based on the majority opinion.

(2) The PhD degree may be awarded if the assessment committee has submitted a favourable recommendation.

(3) If the assessment committee's recommendation is unfavourable, the institution may decide that the thesis is to be assessed by a new assessment committee, provided that the PhD student or the author requests this within a period of at least one week.

25.-(1) The university issues a certificate confirming the satisfactory completion of a research preparatory programme and documenting the programme completed.

26.-(1) The institution issues a certificate for the award of the PhD degree.

(2) The certificate must be issued in Danish and English and must contain information about the academic field and subject of the PhD thesis as well as information about the completed PhD degree programme.

27.-(1) If the PhD degree is not awarded, the institution must, upon request, issue documentation in both Danish and English of those parts of the PhD degree programme that have been satisfactorily completed.

28.-(1) As part of a mutually binding collaboration agreement concerning PhD education, including assessment, defence, degree award, etc., one or more foreign partner institutions may endorse, sign or otherwise authenticate the certificate issued by the Danish institution in such a way that the certificate appears as a joint document. The issuance of a certificate of this nature is subject to the document also having legal effect under the relevant foreign law.

(2) As part of a collaboration agreement, see subsection (1), the Danish institution may likewise endorse, sign or otherwise authenticate a certificate issued by one or more foreign partner institutions in such a way that the certificate also has legal effect under Danish law. A Danish endorsement, signature or similar authentication is subject to the institution assessing that the PhD student has acquired qualifications comparable to those obtained through a Danish PhD degree programme.

29.-(1) As part of a collaboration agreement, see section 28(1), the Danish institution and one or more foreign partner institutions may each issue their own certificate for the same programme.

30.-(1) The institution lays down rules concerning:

1. Admission to the PhD degree programme, see section 9(1).
2. The organisation of the PhD degree programme, see section 4(1), section 10(1), and section 13(1).
3. The appointment of a main supervisor, see section 11(1), and, where applicable, additional supervisors, see section 11(2), section 33(1), and section 34(1).
4. The supervision of PhD students, see section 11(6).
5. The preparation and submission of the PhD thesis, see section 15(1).
6. The defence of the PhD thesis, see section 22(1).

(2) The university also lays down rules governing admission to the PhD degree programme under section 6.

(3) The rules must state that the institution may grant exemptions from rules laid down solely by the institution. Such exemptions may only be granted where unusual circumstances apply.

(4) The rules and any substantial amendments thereto must include the necessary transitional arrangements.

(5) The institution's rules must be publicly available on the institution's website.

31.-(1) When entering into a mutually binding collaboration agreement concerning PhD education, including assessment, defence, degree award, etc., with one or more foreign educational institutions, the institution may depart from the requirements of this Order regarding:

1. The composition of the assessment committee, see section 19(1), first sentence, and section 19(2), second sentence.
2. The time limit for the preliminary assessment of the PhD thesis, see section 21(1), first and second sentences.
3. The time limit for scheduling the defence of the PhD thesis, see section 23(2).

(2) In such cases, the institution is responsible for informing applicants and PhD students covered by the collaboration agreement of the terms governing the programme, including which provisions of this Order have been departed from, see subsection (1). This information must be available before the application deadline.

32.-(1) The following rules apply to PhD scholarships financed under the Industrial PhD Scheme:

1. In addition to appointing a main supervisor, see section 11(1), the institution appoints a supervisor affiliated with the company employing the PhD student. This supervisor must be qualified within the relevant field.
2. At least one member of the assessment committee, see section 19(1), must have research experience relevant to the business sector within the relevant field.

33.-(1) Where a PhD student is employed by a professional higher education institution, the institution or institution of higher artistic education appoints a main supervisor, see section 11(1), and an additional supervisor affiliated with the professional higher education institution. The supervisor must be academically qualified within the relevant field at associate professor level.

 (2) One member of the assessment committee must have research experience relevant to the professional sector at associate professor level² within the relevant field.

34.-(1) They may grant exemptions from the provisions of this order were justified by unusual circumstances, except in the cases referred to in section 22(3), section 23(3), and section 32(1).

35.-(1) Questions of law relating to decisions made by the institution under this Order may be appealed to the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science. The time limit for submitting an appeal is two weeks from the date on which the decision was notified, see subsections (2) and (3).

(2) The right of appeal is vested in PhD students and authors. For authors who have not completed a PhD degree programme, the right of appeal is conditional upon the PhD thesis having been accepted for assessment under section 18(2).

(3) Appeals must be submitted to the institution, which will prepare a statement. The appellant must be given the opportunity to comment on the statement within a period of at least one week. The institution then forwards the complete case to the Agency for consideration.

36.-(1) This Order enters into force on 15 October 2026.

(2) Executive Order No. 1124 of 19 September 2025 on PhD Education at Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions is repealed.

Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science, 6 October 2026.

Julie Lungholt

/ Charlotte Løchte
 

End notes:
1) Concerning the academic qualifications required for appointment as an associate professor, reference is made to the Executive Order on the Employment Structure for Teaching and Research Staff at Academies of Professional Higher Education, Institution Colleges and the Danish School of Media and Journalism, and the Executive Order on the Employment Structure for Teaching Staff at Maritime Educational Institutions Offering Academy Profession Programmes and Professional Bachelor's Programmes.

2) Concerning the academic qualifications required for appointment as an associate professor, reference is made to the Executive Order on the Employment Structure for Teaching and Research Staff at Academies of Professional Higher Education, Institution Colleges and the Danish School of Media and Journalism, and the Executive Order on the Employment Structure for Teaching Staff at Maritime Educational Institutions Offering Academy Profession Programmes and Professional Bachelor's Programmes.