Thesis supervision

Your doctoral training and the research you carry out in preparation for writing your thesis are overseen by your

• thesis supervisor

• thesis co-supervisor (if applicable)

• supervisory committee

The supervisor oversees your research. He must be a permanent member of ULB academic staff and hold the title of doctor obtained through the defence of a thesis. The supervisor may not be retired.

A co-supervisor may also play a role in managing the thesis. He must be a member of ULB academic staff, or a permanent member of staff at another higher education institution. They may also be a permanent member of staff at a research institute or organisation with which the ULB has signed a thesis supervision agreement.

The supervisory committee comprises your thesis supervisor and at least two other academics. This committee must be formed before you re-enrol for the second year of your PhD, and ideally when enrolling for the first time.

For theses in Art and Art Sciences, the supervisory committee comprises the supervisor (ULB), co-supervisor (Art College), at least one member of an Art College associated with the Arts and Science of Art Graduate College, and at least one member of the academic staff of the Faculty where you will complete your thesis, who will chair your supervisory committee.

It is the supervisory committee that sets your doctoral training programme.

The supervisory committee gives its opinion on your re-enrolment for the PhD every year. This is why you must meet the committee at least once a year to present the progress you have made in your research. In many cases, the supervisory committee also gives its opinion about whether the thesis can be submitted.