FAQ
Do I have to hand in an exposé?
What happens if I exceed the regular duration of study for PhD research?
When does my second supervisor need to sign the supervision agreement?
Can I change the (working) title of my dissertation?
Do I have to hand in an exposé?
No, not for the application for admission. The only exceptions are doctoral students applying for a fast-track procedure. However, your first supervisor might want to see an exposé.
What happens if I exceed the regular duration of study for PhD research?
The duration of study can be prolonged, provided your first supervisor and the relevant Examination Board agree. Please fill out the request for prolongation, ask your supervisor to sign it and hand it in at the Office for Doctoral Affairs.
You will also find the application form in your AGNES account.
You must complete the application form and have it signed by your first supervisor. It must then be sent to the Office for Doctoral Affairs, which will arrange for the examination board to sign it.
Since 1 June 2026, the Office for Doctoral Affairs has been returning the approved application to the doctoral candidates. They then upload the application themselves to their AGNES account.
When does my second supervisor need to sign the supervision agreement?
One year after admission at the latest.
Can I change the (working) title of my dissertation?
The working title of the dissertation may be changed at any time; there is no need to submit a formal request or notify the Doctoral Office.
The title of the dissertation for publication may also be changed without submitting a formal request. There are only two specific points to note here: firstly, the title stated in the application to commence the thesis must be included in the deposit copies for the University Library; and secondly, the wording of the dissertation title on the doctoral certificate remains unaffected. The certificate will state the title that was specified in the application to commence the thesis and under which the doctoral procedure was conducted.
TBC