Leiden University · DEFENCE REQUIREMENTS
Leiden’s final phase combines faculty approval, printing, distribution and repository deposit. The central regulations give a clear three-week deadline, but your graduate school can add workflow and formatting requirements beforehand.
Calculate my deadlines →DEADLINES
These dates count backward from your defence. Items marked “planning point” are early reminders; all other milestones come from the linked university information.
56 days before Planning point
Leiden’s regulations state that the dissertation and propositions are written in Dutch or English, and a commercial edition may not be published before the doctorate is awarded. Resolve special cases early.
Read the official source ↗ Leiden University: PhD Regulations 202135 days before Planning point
The non-scientific component and propositions may only be duplicated after approval by the Dean. Confirm your faculty’s exact workflow before arranging print production.
Read the official source ↗ Leiden University: PhD Regulations 202121 days before
At least three weeks before the defence, submit the Beadle- and Dean-determined copies, send copies to the Examining Committee, and deliver four copies to the University Library.
Read the official source ↗ Leiden University: PhD Regulations 202121 days before
At least three weeks before defence, provide the digital dissertation to the University Library and license the University for non-exclusive digital publication, where necessary with an embargo.
Read the official source ↗ Leiden University: PhD Regulations 202114 days before Planning point
The regulations require a copy of the dissertation and propositions at the Beadle’s Office for public inspection for at least two weeks before the defence.
Read the official source ↗ Leiden University: PhD Regulations 2021DOCUMENTS AND FILES
Use this checklist with your faculty or graduate-school instructions. A missing approval or file can delay the steps that follow it.
Confirm the non-scientific component and propositions are approved before duplication.
Confirm dissertation language and whether a commercial publication or embargo needs special handling before production.
Create one exact distribution list; the university, Dean and Examining Committee have different recipients.
Deliver four copies to the Library in addition to the other required copies.
Prepare the specified digital file and the non-exclusive publication licence before the three-week deadline.
THESIS PRINTING
At Leiden, approval of the non-scientific component and propositions comes before duplication. Do not send a final file to production until that approval is in place.
A printer’s turnaround starts after your files are approved. Check the university approval, proof and delivery dates before placing an order.
Read the thesis printing guide →COMMON QUESTIONS
The regulations require four copies for the University Library, in addition to copies determined by the Beadle and Dean and those for the Examining Committee.
At least three weeks before defence, deliver the digital dissertation to the University Library and submit the publication licence.
No. The non-scientific component and propositions may only be duplicated once the Dean has approved them.
Leiden’s regulations state that the dissertation and accompanying propositions are written in Dutch or English; ask the graduate school before assuming a different language is allowed.
Leiden’s regulations state that a commercial edition of a dissertation may not be published before the doctorate has been awarded.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Last checked: 22 September 2026. Faculty and graduate-school processes can add requirements; these central regulations cover the final distribution and repository steps. Your faculty, supervisor or graduate school may give additional instructions.
Leiden University: PhD Regulations 2021 ↗