01
84 days before
Set your defence date
After approval by the doctorate committee and dean, contact the Beadle’s Office to reserve a date.
Read the official source ↗ VU: Dissertation submission & defenceUniversitiesVU Amsterdam PhD defence
VU Amsterdam · DEFENCE REQUIREMENTS
VU Amsterdam PhD defence
deadlines and requirements.
At VU Amsterdam, a defence option follows approval by the doctorate committee and dean. The final production sequence is especially important: the Rector approves the title page before the dissertation is printed.
Calculate my deadlines →DEADLINES
Requirements before your defence date.
These dates count backward from your defence. Items marked “planning point” are early reminders; all other milestones come from the linked university information.
02
42 days before
Submit the digital-publication package
The licence agreement must reach the University Library at least six weeks before graduation. After title-page approval, upload the dissertation and complete the digital form through Hora Finita.
Read the official source ↗ VU: Dissertation submission & defence03
35 days before
Approve the title page
The Rector must approve the title page before the dissertation is printed.
Read the official source ↗ VU: Dissertation submission & defence04
35 days before Planning point
Check the required summaries
VU requires a summary in the dissertation’s language and an English summary and title translation. Confirm these are in the final print and digital versions.
Read the official source ↗ VU: Dissertation submission & defence05
28 days before Planning point
Send copies to the thesis committee
The doctoral candidate provides the members of the thesis committee with a copy. Plan this before the formal Beadle’s Office deadline.
Read the official source ↗ VU: Dissertation submission & defence06
21 days before
Deliver printed copies
Deliver five copies of your thesis to the Beadle’s Office. Missing this deadline can postpone the ceremony.
Read the official source ↗ VU: Dissertation submission & defenceDOCUMENTS AND FILES
What you need to prepare.
Use this checklist with your faculty or graduate-school instructions. A missing approval or file can delay the steps that follow it.
01
Approval confirmation
Wait for approval by the doctorate committee and dean before setting the defence option.
02
Rector-approved title page
Do not send the dissertation to print before the title page is approved.
03
Required summaries
Prepare the thesis-language summary plus the English summary and English title translation.
04
Digital-publication package
Complete the licence agreement and Hora Finita upload after title-page approval; plan for the six-week library deadline.
05
Committee copies
Plan the copies that go to the thesis committee alongside the formal Beadle delivery.
06
Beadle’s Office copies
Deliver five copies no later than three weeks before graduation.
THESIS PRINTING
When you can send your thesis to print.
The Beadle’s Office can postpone the ceremony if the required five copies are not delivered in time.
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
Frequently asked questions.
When can I book a defence date?
After the doctorate committee and dean approve the manuscript, VU instructs candidates to contact the Beadle’s Office to set an option.
Can I print before the title page is approved?
No. VU states that the Rector must approve the title page before the dissertation is printed.
How many copies are required?
VU states that five copies must be delivered to the Beadle’s Office no later than three weeks before graduation.
What summaries must be included?
VU states that every dissertation includes a summary in the dissertation’s language plus an English summary and English title translation.
When is the digital version due?
VU says the University Library must have the licence agreement at least six weeks before graduation. After the title page is approved, the digital thesis is uploaded through Hora Finita for the VU Research Portal.
What should I expect from the ceremony?
VU says the public ceremony includes ten minutes to present the dissertation and one hour for the defence; the Beadle’s Office sends the relevant procedure information once the definite date is set.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
University rules and updates.
Last checked: 22 September 2026. Set a defence option after your manuscript is approved by the doctorate committee and dean. Your faculty, supervisor or graduate school may give additional instructions.
VU: Dissertation submission & defence ↗