Degree of licenciate

As a PhD student, you have the opportunity to obtain a licentiate degree, either as an interim goal or as a final degree. For a licentiate degree, the student must have completed third-cycle courses corresponding to 30 credits, which are distributed so that 15 credits are research methodology and 15 credits are subject theory and/or optional courses. Furthermore, the student is required to write a thesis consisting of an introductory chapter of a compilation thesis and two scientific articles where the student is the first author of at least one. The articles must be of publishable quality (in publishable condition) but need not be accepted for publication.

For the licentiate degree, the procedure is in principle the same as for the half-way review seminar with the addition that one lecturer acts as opponent while the other acts as examiner. In practice, the structure of the seminar is that (1) the chairman (the student's principal supervisor) opens the seminar, (2) the student gives a 30-40 minute presentation of the scientific studies, (3) the student and the opponent discuss, (4) the examiner asks questions and (5) the audience is offered the opportunity to ask questions.

The Licentiate thesis is assessed with one of the grades Pass or Fail. The grading shall take into account the content of the thesis and its defence. The grade is determined by an examiner appointed by the head of department. All course credits must be completed before the seminar takes place. The time and place of the seminar is decided by the head of department. At the licentiate seminar, the lecturers do not need to provide a written assessment to the director of studies, but the lecturers should provide written feedback to the PhD student and main supervisor.