Instructions for opponents (School of Business)

An approved doctoral thesis may be

1. Monograph
2. Article-based doctoral thesis
3. Essay-based doctoral thesis

Evaluation of the doctoral thesis

Examination of the thesis has started with pre-examination of the thesis: two independent pre-examiners have given their statements of the thesis. Based on these statements, the permission for public defence has been granted.

Finally the thesis is examined at a public examination/defence. When examining the doctoral thesis, the opponent shall take into account the thesis in itself as well as merits shown by the candidate in the public defence. On the basis of both of these, the opponent will propose whether the thesis should be accepted or failed. A demand for failing the thesis must be made in writing and reasons must be given.

Statement of the opponent

The opponent(s) submit a written statement concerning the doctoral thesis and its defence, including their recommendation as to whether the doctoral thesis should be accepted or rejected, to the Doctoral Programme Committee within two weeks of the public examination. The final acceptance of the thesis is decided by the Doctoral Programme Committee of the School of Business based on the statements by opponent(s).

Travel and accommodation costs and payment for opponent duty

A small remuneration will be paid to the opponent after the programme has received the statement. The department representing the doctoral student pays the reward and travel expenses of the opponent(s) and makes the necessary arrangements.

Proceedings at the public examination

Read more about the proceedings at the public examination