Doctoral examination

(Regulations for Doctoral Studies, Art. 25)

The doctoral examination is oral and lasts for at least one hour. The examination is on the specialised research area and is carried out by the Examination Committee.

The Department Conference determines to what extent the exam is open to the public.

The doctoral examination takes place at the latest six years after enrolment. In special cases, the Rector can authorize an extension on application from the Department.

Evaluation of the doctoral thesis and the oral examination

(Regulations for Doctoral Studies, Art. 26)

The supervisor and co-supervisor each provide a written report on the doctoral thesis and send them to the Department before the examination.

The Examination Committee evaluates the doctoral thesis and the oral exam as passed or failed, and reports to the Department Conference concerned.

There is no special form or layout for the examiners’ reports. There is, however, a standard structure:

• a short summary of the dissertation
• an evaluation of the work
• a recommendation as to whether the dissertation should be accepted or not.

The examiners’ reports should be handed into the Administration Office of the responsible Department’s about 3 weeks before the oral exam.

The core of the Examination Committee must be physically present at the doctoral examination. Participation through video conference is only permitted for additional co-examiners. Further details can be found in the Rector's directive: "Weisung des Rektors über die physische Anwesenheit von Mitgliedern einer Prüfungskommission bei Doktorprüfungen" (PDF, 35 kB).

Remuneration for external co-examiners

The Rector has determined in the directive "Weisung über die Entschädigung für die Mitwirkung an Leistungskontrollen an der ETH Zürich" (PDF, 53 kB) that a remuneration of CHF 400 has to be paid for external reports and participating at a doctoral examination. Co-examiners employed in the ETH domain or at the University of Zurich are excluded from this regulation. This remuneration is paid by the professor who acts as supervisor.

Invoice for services ordered by ETH Zurich (PDF, 252 kB, Login required)