- For a double PhD degree, the PhD student receives a diploma from each of the collaborating universities
- For a joint PhD degree, the PhD student receives one PhD diploma – signed by both universities
It is strongly recommended only to make agreements covering several students
An individual agreement is very time consuming and you should be aware that it takes at least 1 year to get the agreement finalized. It is therefore recommended that you work primarily on agreements covering several students, as it will also shorten the process of the individual agreements.
Please be aware, that because it takes time to get the agreement settled, the process must start no later than 18 months after the candidate has been enrolled as a PhD student at the home university.
If you are thinking about doing a PhD in collaboration with SDU and another university, there are some things you should consider:
- Does your project require formalized collaboration between SDU and the foreign university? Otherwise, it is also possible to work across disciplines and spend time at other universities as part of a regular PhD programme, without formalizing the collaboration.
- Does the foreign PhD programme compare to the Danish, in terms of gained qualifications?
- Are there any obvious differences in the PhD programmes, and how are they regulated (guidelines, rules or laws)? As the Danish PhD programme is regulated by the Ministerial Order, there are certain requirements which need to be fulfilled, and elements which cannot be changed.
- Which of the universities will be your home university? You will be enrolled as s PhD student at the home university, and the home university is overall responsible for the study programme including admission, employment and administration of the PhD study. The thesis is handed in at the home university and is assessed by a committee approved by both universities.
How to get started
- Read the Guidelines
- Fill in the Agreement form
- Send the agreement form to the Graduate School of Health Sciences, SDU for approval
- Ask your home university to send the first draft for the collaboration agreement
- The legal department at SDU will then look through the agreement and ensure that it meets the Danish requirement for a PhD degree
- When the final agreement has been written, it will be signed by both parties
- Read the Guidelines
- Request an information meeting with the Head of the PhD School (follow this link for contact information).
- Fill in the Agreement form
- Send the agreement form to the Graduate School of Health Sciences, SDU for approval
- The Graduate School will make the first draft for the collaboration agreement and send it to the foreign university
- The legal department at SDU will look through the agreement and ensure that it meets the Danish requirement for a PhD degree
When the final agreement has been written, it will be signed by both parties