Steps in the final six months

Use the Doctorate Regulations and the flowchart From Manuscript to PhD Thesis as a guide. This will help you avoid delays close to your defence date.

1. Submit a proposal for the doctoral committee

Once your thesis is nearly complete (around six months before your intended defence date), your supervisor will submit a proposal for the composition of the doctoral committee. Once approved, you will receive an official decision from the Doctorate Board.

2. Schedule the defence date

With this decision, you can reserve a provisional defence date using the online tool linked in the approval letter.
(Didn't receive the link? Contact the Beadle’s Office.)

You will also submit the title of your thesis. You’ll then receive the official title page, which must be included in your printed thesis without modification.

3. Submit the final manuscript

Prepare the final version of your manuscript (in both print and digital formats). This must be approved by your supervisor(s) and co-supervisor(s). No changes are allowed after this point.

At least 14 weeks before the defence date:

• Your supervisor submits the approved manuscript to the doctoral committee.

• Your supervisor sends the digital version to the dean for a plagiarism check.

4. Thesis assessment

The doctoral committee will assess your manuscript and submit their judgement no later than eight weeks before the defence date, via your supervisor and the dean. No substantive changes to the manuscript may be proposed at this stage.

5. Submit and publish your thesis

If your manuscript is approved and passes the plagiarism check, you may print or copy your thesis.

Submit three printed copies to the Beadle’s Office no later than four weeks before your defence. If the office is closed, you may deliver them to the Maagdenhuis reception desk (Spui 21) or send them by post to: University of Amsterdam, attn. Beadle’s Office, Spui 21, 1012 WX Amsterdam

The digital version will be submitted to the University Library by the dean. After signing the licence agreement, your thesis will be published via UvA-DARE.

6. Preparing for the ceremony

Attend an online Beadle’s class, which explains the ceremonial procedure. No registration is required.

• Dutch-language session: Every Monday at 10:00 (Zoom link for Beadle’s class in Dutch

• English-language session: Every Monday at 12:00 (Zoom link for Beadle’s class in English)

Please note: Sessions will not take place on national public holidays.