Setting a date
Setting a date for the trial lecture and public defence cannot be done before the committee’s recommendation has been approved by the dean.
Earliest date for trial lecture/public defence is 6 weeks after the recommendation has been approved. The 6 week rule is absolute and cannot be made shorter. If tentative dates for the PhD examination are discussed, dates must be at least 5 months ahead in time.
Please note that July is UiO's holiday month and is not included when setting a deadline for submission of a recommendation or setting a date for public defence (6 week rule). The evaluation process therefore takes longer during the summer holidays. Please note that recommendations will not be approved during July.
It is imperative that suggested dates should not have any bearing on a committee's evaluation. If a committee recommends a minor revision of a thesis, the committee should not feel pressurized to approve the thesis just because a date for the public defence has already been set, ref. § 14.2 of the Regulations for the degree of PhD.
The Faculty has the capacity to hold a limited number of defences each day. Defences can be held on all weekdays. Please note that many choose Fridays for the defence and that Fridays can be fully booked.
Trial lecture and public defence in connection with holidays
Trial lecture and public defence can take place at the earliest six weeks after the faculty has found the thesis worthy of defence.
The trial lecture takes place the day before or on the same day as the public defence. At the Faculty of Medicine the trial lecture and public defence usually take place on the same day.
Recommended times for ordinary public defence with physical presence and hybrid (partially digital) defence is at 10.15 am for the trial lecture and 1.15 pm for the public defence. The trial lecture must take place before the public defence. Experience shows that it is necessary with a two hour break for the committee to have time to evaluate the trial lecture and have lunch.
For digital defences the recommended times for trial lecture and defence is 9.15am and 11.15am, respectively. The trial lecture must take place before the public defence. A mandatory zoom-test should be held two to seven days prior to the defence.
Please note the following dates for trial lecture and public defence in connection with holidays:
Christmas
2023/24: Last date for public defence before Christmas is 15 December 2023. The committee’s recommendation must be approved by 3 November 2023. First possible date for trial lecture after New Year’s Eve is 17 January 2024. The committee’s recommendation must be approved by 1 December 2023.
Please note: Application for evaluation (thesis and committee proposal) must be handed in by midnight Monday 6 November 2023 for the committee to be appointed before Christmas. The application must be complete. It is not possible to hand in the committee proposal before the deadline and the thesis after the deadline, or vice versa.
Easter
Last possible date for public defence before Easter is Friday before Palm Sunday. The committee’s recommendation must be approved at the latest 6 weeks earlier. First possible date for trial lecture is 11 working days after Easter Monday.
2024: Last possible date for public defence before Easter is Friday 22 March, and the committee’s recommendation must be approved at the latest 9 February. First possible date for trial lecture after Easter is 16 April, and the committee’s recommendation must be approved by 5 March.
Summer
2024: Administration of the PhD programme is closed from 1 July to 1 August.
Last possible date for public defence before summer is 28 June. The committee's recommendation must be approved by 16 May. The first possible date for trial lecture after summer is 19 August. The committee's recommendation must be approved by 3 June.
Please note: Application for evaluation (thesis and committee proposal) must be handed in by 15 May 2024 for the committee to be appointed before summer. The application must be complete. It is not possible to hand in the committee proposal before the deadline and the thesis after the deadline, or vice versa.