Defending your thesis

Defending your thesis involves a public presentation of your PhD thesis in which you support its findings and originality, while displaying your ability to explain your research in layman’s terms.

The procedure is as follows (detailed information is available from your Faculty)

• 1. You submit your PhD thesis to the Faculty

• 2. The jury is formed in the months following submission. It comprises at least 5 members, all of whom have a PhD, and includes your supervisor, at least two other members of ULB academic staff, and at least one member from outside the ULB.

• 3. The private defence takes place at least one month after selection of the jury and at least two months after submission of the thesis. The private defence takes place behind closed doors in the presence of at least half the jury. In certain disciplines, there may be no need for a private defence if the jury has unanimously approved admissibility of the thesis. After meeting, the jury will either regard your thesis to be admissible or recommend that you rework it and grant you an extension of up to six months. The jury may also suggest that you do not proceed with the public defence.

• 4. Before the public defence, it is mandatory for you to submit a digital copy of your thesis using BICTEL/e, the electronic thesis directory.

• 5. If, during the private defence, the jury deems your thesis to be admissible, you will then proceed to the public defence within the next month, in the presence of at least half the jury. The public defence will last up to two hours.

• 6. After the defence, the jury retires for deliberation, and then declares you a “Doctor” if your defence was successful.

• 7. During the month that follows, the secretary of the jury drafts a report on the defence and you are forwarded a copy. This report contains a summary of the thesis and includes both remarks on the quality of your presentation and general comments and critiques from each member of the jury.

No defences are organized during the period 15 July - 15 August or during ULB examination sessions, unless unanimously agreed otherwise by the jury.