Completion of doctoral programme


Cover page and template

Mandatory as of 1 October 2021!

As of the academic year 2021/22 the cover page must be used for all dissertations. The template may be used.

English version:
Cover page
Cover page explanation
Template

German version:
Deckblatt
Deckblatt Erläuterung
Formatvorlage


Submission of dissertation

The documents for the completion of doctoral or PhD programmes are to be sent together by email (studienservices(at)boku.ac.at). Please use BOKUdrive. The instructions can be found here. The dissertation must be also submitted electronically to Study Services via abstracts application.

The graduation documents are only to be issued after two hard-bound copies of the dissertation with first and last name on the spine and including a signed affidavit have been submitted by mail or by appointment.

One of the copies will be forwarded to the Austrian National Library and one to the BOKU Library.The Dean of Studies will (electronically) assign the dissertation (through the Study Services) to two university teachers with venia docendi, who will then have a maximum period of two months to assess the dissertation. Doctoral candidates are given a say regarding the choice of dissertation assessor. It should be noted that BOKU does not provide compensation for advisory opinions.

Students must enter the abstracts of their dissertations – written in both German and English – into the abstracts application (http://www.boku.ac.at/abstracts.html). After the doctoral project has been registered, the Study Services will create a record, which can be edited using students' access permission. The supervisor is responsible for closing the record. You are expected to meet high standards of quality for your abstract as it will be displayed on the Internet and will thus form a part of BOKU’s international presentation.


Dissertation restriction  

The Dean of Studies can, in certain cases, place a restriction on the use permit of the dissertation for a period of up to five years, with an initial restriction period of two years. If a restriction is placed on the dissertation, the texts destined for the University Library and the Austrian National Library will not be publicly displayed for the duration of use restriction. If you wish to place a restriction on your dissertation, please submit the corresponding application with your abstract. Please indicate the desired length of restriction when submitting your dissertation.    


Registering for your viva voce (second part)  

Registration for the viva voce must take place no later than three weeks before the desired date. The two positive advisory opinions must be available in the Study Services at the latest one week before the examination date.

Viva voce examinations can be regularly scheduled except during exam-free periods (see Dates and timetable).

Further information on final exams by video conference can be found here.

The examination takes place before an examination board (two examiners and a chairperson). The doctoral candidate has a say in the choice of examiners. 

If it proves necessary or appropriate, the Dean of Studies can appoint an individual who is recognised by a domestic or international university as viva voce examiner, provided that this individual has a teaching credential deemed equivalent to an Austrian habilitation. If this is the case, complete the application form below and provide information regarding the individual (e.g. CV or an Internet printout) and submit with the other documents. It should be noted that BOKU has no funds available to pay for travel costs or room and board. 

Application for appointment as external examiner/assessor


Awarding of the degree   

After successful completion of the second part of the viva voce, the Dean of Studies will award you with the degree that corresponds to your programme.

As soon as the officially signed graduation documents (notice of graduation, certificate and diploma supplement) have been issued, we will inform you by email.

After receipt of the confirmation concerning study-related stays abroad (UHStat2) the graduation documents will be sent to you by email (list of possible stays abroad).

Four weeks after the officially signed notice of graduation has been sent to you by email, the notice of graduation becomes legally binding and you have the right to use the academic degree awarded to you. If you would like to use the academic degree earlier, notify Study Services by email that you waive your right to appeal. The notice of graduation becomes valid on the day of your waiver of appeal.

If you need a signed copy of the graduation documents for compelling legal reasons, please send the corresponding proof to studienservices(at)boku.ac.at. These graduation documents cannot be sent by mail and must be collected by you in person or by an authorized person at Study Services by appointment.

If the graduation documents cannot be personally collected, an authorization (form) and an official photographic ID must be presented.

 

Academic ceremonies

You can register for an academic ceremony (graduation ceremony) as soon as all the required graduation documents have been issued. Details of academic ceremonies can be found under Master's and PhD Graduation Ceremonies.