The PhD programme is a research programme that qualifies the PhD student to independently conduct research, development and teaching tasks on an international level in the private and public sectors where a broad knowledge of research is required. The study is mainly conducted through research being carried out under supervision.
1.1. Structure
the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences offers PhD programmes within the following disciplines:
- Business Administration
- Journalism
- Law
- Political Science
- Economics (Socio-economics)
- Social Science
1.2. Organisation of the PhD School
A single central PhD school has been established within the the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, which is managed by the Head of PhD School. All PhD students are enrolled at the PhD school at the faculty and belong to the department where their principal supervisor is employed.
1.2.1. Head of PhD School
The Dean of the the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences appoints a Head of PhD School for the faculty’s PhD school for a 3-year period. The Head of PhD School is accountable to the Dean.
The Head of PhD School
- Has overall responsibility for the activities of the PhD school.
- Is responsible for planning, development, quality assurance and evaluation of the PhD programme, with the involvement also of the PhD Committee.
- Determines internal guidelines and rules for the PhD school, including the completion of the PhD programme and supervision, following suggestions from the PhD Committee and approval by the Dean.
- Appoints principal supervisors on the recommendation of the Head of Department.
- Approves the enrolment of PhD students, on the recommendation of the Programme Committee, as representatives of the academic staff on the PhD Committee, cf. Danish University Act Section 16 b, subsection 4.
1.2.2. The PhD Committee
The PhD Committee consists of five representatives from the academic staff and five representatives from the PhD students, who are elected from and by them.
The PhD Committee
- Recommends a chairman to the Dean from among the academic staff on the PhD Committee and a vice-chairman from among the PhD students on the PhD Committee.
- Approves PhD plans.
- Approves PhD courses.
- Approves applications for credits and dispensations.
- Prepares proposals for the Head of PhD School concerning internal guidelines and supervision.
- Comments to the Head of PhD School on evaluation of the PhD programme and PhD supervision.
- Comments on matters of significance for the PhD programme and PhD supervision, submitted by the Dean or person authorised by the Dean.
- Recommends the composition of the assessment committee for assessment of the PhD thesis to the Dean.
1.2.3. Programme Committee
A programme committee is set up for each of the PhD school’s programmes – though there is a combined one for Political Science and Journalism and a cross-disciplinary programme committee for Social Science. The programme committees consist of 3-5 representatives from the academic staff in the relevant discipline. Members of the programme committees are appointed by the PhD Committee on the recommendation of the heads of department. The representative of the relevant discipline on the PhD Committee is an ex-officio member and chairman of the programme committee. The Programme Committee for Social Science comprises the chairmen of the four programme committees with the Head of PhD School as chair. The following programme committees have been appointed:
- Programme Committee for Business Administration
- Programme Committee for Political Science/Journalism
- Programme Committee for Law
- Programme Committee for Economics
- Programme Committee for Social Science
The programme committees function as representatives of the academic staff on the PhD Committee and assess applicants for enrolment as PhD students. For such assessments, the Head of Department may expand the relevant programme committee by one special expert representative from the department.
The programme committees can be consulted about important academic issues, including individual cases, by the PhD Committee or the Head of PhD School.
1.2.4. PhD School Secretariat
Programme administration of the PhD school is undertaken by the PhD school secretariat.
The PhD school secretariat undertakes the following tasks
- Enrolment of PhD students.
- Programme administration of the PhD programme.
- Programme administration support and supervision of potential and current PhD students.
- Editing of the faculty’s PhD website.
- Secretariat services for the Head of PhD School, PhD Committee and programme committees.
- Administrative procedures and following up on decisions made by the PhD Committee.
- Initiating and following up on the PhD school’s goals and strategies for PhD programmes.
- Coordinating and following up on implemented agreements and activities.
- Administrative procedures in connection with PhD theses – including the appointment of assessment committees, acceptance and distribution of PhD theses.
- The issuing of PhD certificates.