UvA · DEFENCE REQUIREMENTS
At UvA, the last stretch is a sequence of formal approvals: committee proposal, manuscript assessment, plagiarism check, admission, production and library deposit. The key is to work backwards from the print-copy deadline—not from the ceremony.
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.
180 days before Planning point
When the thesis is nearly complete, your supervisor proposes the doctoral committee. UvA describes this as a step around six months before the intended defence.
Read the official source ↗ UvA: Completing your PhD programme168 days before Planning point
After the Doctorate Board’s decision on your doctoral committee, use the link in the approval letter to reserve a provisional defence date and submit your thesis title.
Read the official source ↗ UvA: Completing your PhD programme98 days before
Your supervisor submits the manuscript to the doctoral committee and the digital version is sent for the plagiarism check.
Read the official source ↗ UvA: Completing your PhD programme56 days before
The doctoral committee submits its judgement through your supervisor and dean.
Read the official source ↗ UvA: Completing your PhD programme28 days before
Submit three printed copies to the Beadle’s Office. The library publication process also needs your attention.
Read the official source ↗ UvA: Completing your PhD programme14 days before Planning point
UvA offers an online Beadle’s class explaining the ceremony and does not require registration. Choose a session early enough to feel comfortable with the protocol.
Read the official source ↗ UvA: Completing your PhD programmeDOCUMENTS AND FILES
Use this checklist with your faculty or graduate-school instructions. A missing approval or file can delay the steps that follow it.
Keep the official decision that lets you reserve a provisional defence date.
Use the UvA-issued page exactly as supplied in the printed thesis.
Make sure the supervisor-approved manuscript is the version submitted for assessment and plagiarism checking.
Plan the final print copy and the identical digital version for online publication as one production task.
Complete the agreement required for publication through UvA-DARE and flag any copyright or embargo issue early.
Three printed copies must arrive no later than four weeks before the defence; confirm any additional faculty copies.
THESIS PRINTING
Do not treat the printer as the first deadline. UvA says printing can begin only after the manuscript is approved and passes the plagiarism check.
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
UvA’s central completion page says three printed copies must arrive no later than four weeks before the defence. Faculty recipients can be additional.
UvA describes the committee proposal as a step around six months before the intended defence date.
The dean submits the digital version to the University Library, and the thesis is published through UvA-DARE after the licence agreement is signed.
UvA says no changes are allowed once the supervisor-approved final manuscript is submitted. The committee stage is not a new editing round; plan any non-substantive final production work only within the university’s allowed process.
Yes. After reserving the date and submitting the thesis title, you receive the official title page. UvA says it must be included in the printed thesis without modification.
UvA’s copyright guidance says the doctoral researcher holds copyright in the doctoral thesis unless copyright in previously published sections was transferred to a publisher. Ask early if an embargo may be needed.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Last checked: 21 September 2026. Rules may vary by faculty; always check the linked official process. Your faculty, supervisor or graduate school may give additional instructions.
UvA: Completing your PhD programme ↗