In case of an outgoing joint PhD, UAntwerp is the home institution.

The PhD researcher follows the standard PhD procedure and takes into account the following:

1. Joint PhD application

The PhD researcher should first enrol as a PhD student at the University of Antwerp following the standard procedure. Afterwards, the PhD researcher can submit a joint PhD application (see Joint PhD procedure).

2. Enrolment at partner institution​

If the joint PhD application is approved by the faculty/department council, the outgoing joint PhD researcher must enrol as a PhD student as soon as possible at the other universit(y)(ies) according to the procedures that apply there. PhD researchers are required to re-enrol each academic year at all universities involved.

3. Composing the joint PhD agreement (via ADS)

The Antwerp Doctoral School will negotiate the contract provisions with the administrative contact person in the partner institution(s). The supervisors and PhD researcher are always involved in this process. Once all parties have approved the contract provisions, the contract will be signed by the (Vice-)rectors, the supervisors and the PhD researcher. The PhD researcher receives an original copy after the contract has been fully signed.

4. Composition of the individual PhD commission and the doctoral jury

Outgoing joint PhD researchers follow the standard procedure for all PhDs at UAntwerp. However, the individual PhD commission and the doctoral jury must be composed according to the provisions of the signed agreement. The faculty will take the necessary steps.

5. Defence of the doctoral thesis

The PhD researcher must defend the doctoral thesis according to the standard procedure for all PhDs as laid out in the general PhD regulations and the PhD Procedure

The defence of the doctoral thesis can take place no earlier than six weeks after the contract has been fully signed. Any deviations from the standard procedure must be stipulated in the agreement.

Before the defence can take place, the requirements laid out in the PhD Procedure (Preparing the defence) must be met. The PhD researcher also makes sure that the administrative requirements at the partner institution are met on time.

6. Role of the faculty

  • The faculty checks the student's central enrolment in SisA when organising the defence of the doctoral thesis.
  • The faculty verifies that the joint PhD agreement has been signed by all parties before the draft thesis is submitted as part of a joint PhD involving UAntwerp. Deadlines that were previously agreed upon should be taken into account when setting a date for the defence of the doctoral thesis.

7. Diploma conferral

The jury's report will be sent to the diploma office (Registrar's Office) of the PhD researcher's home university following the defence of the thesis. The diploma and diploma supplement will then be drawn up and issued according to the standard procedure, taking into account the provisions in the signed joint PhD contract. After signing the contract these provisions need to be followed, unless there is a fully signed amendment (see procedure joint PhD).