ANSWER
Short answer.
Your university will run the protocol. Your job is to arrive at the candidate time, know the shape of the ceremony, and let someone else handle your belongings, guests and little practical surprises.
01 · ARRIVAL
Candidate arrival time and items to bring.
Candidates, paranymphs and committee members often have a separate arrival instruction. At UvA, candidates are expected 30 minutes before the ceremony; the university also publishes venue-specific guest capacities and arrival guidance.
Bring the address, contact person, invitation and any presentation file. If a lay talk or digital presentation is involved, bring a backup in the format your university permits.
02 · CEREMONY PROCEDURE
What happens during the defence ceremony.
The Beadle manages the ceremony. At Utrecht, the opposition is strictly 45 minutes and ends with “hora est”; the University also explains the formal Dutch forms of address used when answering the first question.
Read your university protocol or attend a Beadle class. UvA offers an online Beadle’s class, while Leiden provides candidate and paranymph instructions.
03 · DRESS CODE
What to wear at the ceremony.
Customs differ. UvA does not impose a strict dress code, although white tie remains a common traditional choice for candidates and paranymphs. Ceremonies can last around 90 minutes, so choose shoes and clothing you can stand in.
Confirm the local protocol before renting or buying anything.
SOURCES
Official sources.
Your university’s current regulations, Beadle’s Office and graduate school make the final decision on requirements and ceremony details.
UvA: The defence ceremony ↗Utrecht University: Your PhD from start to finish ↗Leiden University: PhD defence and lay talk instructions ↗