Request for thesis defense

Once your thesis is completed, you must request approval for its defense. The first step to obtaining this authorization is to submit the defense request to the Virtual Student Secretariat (SVA), accompanied by the required documentation.

The application is made electronically through the SVA, so you do not need an electronic signature. The director(s) will receive an email to evaluate your application and the authorized profile will be able to do so through their Virtual Secretariat.

Steps to follow from the application to the authorization of the doctoral thesis defense

Before starting the application through the Virtual Secretariat, check that:

  • You have the Supervision Agreement (CDS) signed
  • You fulfill the minimum time period for thesis submission.
  • You have passed all complementary training.
  • You are enrolled in your PhD programme and have paid the tuition fees.
  • You are not on a temporary leave.
  • You have no pending settlements.
  • You have not requested a previous defense.

If you fail to comply with any of the above points, you will not be able to make the defense request.

You will be able to make the defense request but you will receive an alert:

  • If you have no pending settlements but you don't have your training activities evaluated.

In addition, you must check that:

  • You have your Research and Training Plan (PIF) updated and approved.
  • You have all your training activities evaluated.
  • The language of the thesis matches that of the approved PIF.
    • If the thesis was not wirtten in Galician or Spanish, it must contain a summary of at least 3,000 words in Galician.
  • The title of the thesis matches the title approved in the PIF.
    • Otherwise, you must complete a new PIF at the SVA before the thesis defense request.
  • You were assigned a single line of research, directly related to the study topic of your thesis.

1. Application access

The application is made through your SVA using the following procedure: Consult doctoral file RD 99/2011 > Access the defense application.

  • You can start the process before the deadline, as the application allows you to save and exit, and continue later when you have compiled all the attached documentation.

2. Recommendations before submitting the application:

  1. Prepare the complete PDF of your thesis in the format established by the USC. Checklist for the thesis copy.
  2. It is mandatory to provide a valid email address, as you will receive notifications regarding the status of your application through this email.
  3. In the application summary, do not use more than 100 words. The application only allows you to add plain text. Do not paste formatted text. This summary is what we publish in our nEDIUS newsletter.

3. Send your application:

Once all the documentation has been submitted, you must return to the application and click the 'Enviar ao perfil autorizado' button. From this moment on, you will no longer be able to make any modifications. The PhD program will contact you in case you need to amend any documentation.

1. Report of the authorized profile and the thesis supervisor

2. External evaluation process of the doctoral thesis

  • Thesis evaluation reports must be carried out by at least two doctorate experts from outside the USC.
  • The proposals from the experts and the management of the reports will be carried out by the CAPD, after hearing the thesis supervisors, and following the procedure of each program.
  • External evaluators may suggest improvements or corrections.
  • The doctoral candidate must analyze the comments received from the external evaluators and the CAPD of the program, if applicable, and present:
    • A report, which includes:
      • A description of the changes made to the thesis.
      • Arguments, if applicable, for not accepting any of the suggestion(s)/indication(s) received.
    • A new PDF of the thesis with the changes made.
  • External evaluators may form part of the committee, if the doctoral program has established this.

3. CAPD report

The CAPD will have a maximum of 5 months from the presentation of the thesis to issue a report, which may be:

  1. Favorable:
    • The thesis, associated documentation and the proposal for the examining committee members are sent to EDIUS.
  2. Conditional:
    • If the thesis requires corrections, deadlines (maximum 3 months) will be indicated for the doctoral candidate to submit the required allegations and/or modifications.
    • If the modifications are submitted on time, the CAPD will have 1 month to issue the final report (favorable or unfavorable).
    • If the amendments are not submitted, the report will automatically be unfavorable.
      The issuance of this report must take into account the deadline established for the entire procedure, which is 5 months, and may not be exceeded under any circumstances.
  3. Unfavorable:
    • It must always be duly motivated and justified. It will be sent to the EDIUS Executive Committee and the thesis will not be put on public display.

4. Review by EDIUS

Once the favorable report from the CAPD has been received:

  • EDIUS will review the file.
  • If there are errors, you will contact the doctoral program to have them corrected.
  • If everything is correct, the period for public display of the thesis opens:
    • 10 working days during the school year (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays). This information will be published on Xescampus and on the EDIUS website.

5. Public display

During this period, any doctoral candidate may request access to the thesis through the electronic office, providing their Doctoral degree.

6. Final authorization for defense

After the public display period of the doctoral thesis:

  • EDIUS will assess the file, the CAPD report and the allegations, if any.
  • EDIUS may request additional information from the director, the doctoral student, the CAPD and/or other experts on the topic of the thesis.
  • If the request for defense is denied, the EDIUS Board will issue a reasoned resolution indicating the defects to be corrected.

7. Designation of the examining committee

If the defense of the doctoral thesis is authorized:

  • The official appointment of the examining committee will be made.
  • The designation will be communicated.

8. Payment of examination fees

9. Notification of the defense date

The defense must be held within a maximum period of 3 months, from the day following the authorization by the EDIUS. In order to give the necessary publicity to the thesis defense as established in the current Regulations, you must communicate the date of the defense sufficiently in advance, at least 7 calendar days.

10. Defense of the doctoral thesis