Are you about to complete your doctoral studies? Below you will find all the important information for submitting your dissertation and the next steps until the Academic Ceremony.
Ready to submit your doctoral degree?
⇒ SUBMIT YOUR DOCTORAL DEGREE NOW
Start submitting your doctoral degree here.
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact: studkan(at)unileoben.ac.at.
Assistance and instructions:
Use the following checklist to ensure that all the requirements for submission to the degree are met:
Below you will find information, instructions and links for the preparation and submission of your dissertation:
- Instructions: cumulative dissertations
- Instructions: How do I create my thesis in MUonline?
- Instructions: How do I create an application for blocking my dissertation?
- Information on the declaration of the use of AI-based tools for theses
- Non-binding declaration of the library
- Link to the survey form on study-related stays abroad (UhStat 2)
Attention: The UhStat survey form must be completed and uploaded even if no study-related stay abroad has taken place.
Important note on the binding of the dissertation:
Please do not bind your dissertation until you have received the relevant information from the SSC.
Do I also have to pay my Students' Union fee/tuition fee in the semester in which I plan my defence in the doctorate?
Yes, you must be enrolled at the time of your defence and have duly paid your Students' Union fee/tuition fee. The reason for this is that the defence is a final examination.
If you plan your defence at the end of the summer semester or at the end of the winter semester, the following applies:
Option 1: You pay the tuition fee and can have it refunded after graduation. The transaction must have been concluded within the deadline of the continuation notification. Until 31.10. in the winter semester or until 31.03. in the summer semester.
Further information can be found here.
Option 2: You do not pay the tuition fee: Please note that you will be automatically exmatriculated by the system on 31.10. in the winter semester and 31.03. in the summer semester. Until this date, your account in MUonline will remain open.
How long does the defence take and what does the process look like?
The defence is public. The appointment announcement is made via a circular by the Study Support Center, usually one week before the defence.
The defence consists of a presentation of the research work lasting 30 – 45 minutes and a technical discussion. In total, the defence should not last longer than 120 minutes.
This is followed by the deliberation and vote on the overall result of the defense - this takes place in a non-public meeting of the examination board. The assessment ranges from 1 to 5 ("very good" to "not sufficient"). The resolution is passed by a majority of votes.
For the overall success of the defence, there are the predicates "passed with distinction", "passed" and "failed". The predicate "passed with distinction" requires that all expert reports obtained have the grade "very good", that both reviewers propose an award in their statement, and that the defence was assessed as "very good". The award of the predicate "passed with distinction" must be separately justified by the examination board and does not automatically result from the individual criteria and recommendations of the reviewers, which were consistently rated "very good".
The result of the examination will be announced to the candidate immediately after the defence. If the defence has been assessed negatively, the reasons for this must be explained to the candidate. The regulations for the repetition of defences are laid down in the MUL's study law provisions section of the statutes.
Within four weeks of successfully completing your defence, you will receive your final documents – consisting of the notification, the Diploma Supplement, the assessment of the dissertation and, if applicable, the notification of the blocking of the thesis – in advance by e-mail.
Can my examiners also participate in my defence online?
Yes, students choose the form of defence (in presence, hybrid or video conference e.g. WebEx, Zoom or similar). In the event of a video conference or hybrid event, the chair will send an electronic invitation with the corresponding information or links to participate in the video conference to the student and to the examination committee as well as to any participants.
Please be sure to let us know in advance by e-mail (studkan(at)unileoben.ac.at) if one of your examiners participates in your defense online.
What can you expect in the next step?
The Academic Ceremonies:
⇒ The Academic Ceremonies – All information at a glance
What can you expect?
• General information about the academic Ceremonies
• Dates and deadlines
• Link Registration/Deregistration for the Academic Ceremonies
After successfully passing the defense, you will receive an invitation by e-mail with the organizational details two to three weeks before the Academic Ceremony.