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PhD courses and ECTS

Dear new PhD students

We understand that you are eager to get started. However, please note that it will only be possible to register for PhD courses or create/log into CourseManagement once you are officially enrolled. Enrollment takes place in accordance with the enrollment period specified in your enrollment letter.

Please note that it is not possible to register for courses via email. We kindly ask you to wait until your official start date, after which you can register for courses in CourseManagement.

ECTS goal

  • PhD courses must be completed corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points in total
  • A maximum of 10 ECTS points can be earned through activities other than PhD courses

Course relevance and level

  • All PhD courses must be relevant to your research project, academic training, or future career.
  • Courses must be at a higher academic level than a Master’s degree, unless an exemption is granted.
  • Please note: MA courses taken during Part A of the 4+4 scheme do not count towards the 30 ECTS credits.

Planning and approval

  • Your participation in PhD courses must be planned in cooperation with your principal supervisor.
  • The principal supervisor determines the academic level and the number of ECTS credits awarded for each course.
  • In many cases, the course description will specify the expected workload and ECTS credits, and a course certificate will be issued upon completion.
  • You cannot earn ECTS credits after your enrollment period has ended. Your plan will be closed, and access to MyPhD will be removed once the enrollment period has ended.

Workload and ECTS calculation

  • 1 ECTS credit equals 25 hours of work, including preparation, participation, and follow-up activities.

Conferences and alternative activities

  • In some cases, ECTS credits may be awarded for participation in academic conferences, if the learning outcome is comparable to that of a PhD course.
  • A maximum of 10 out of the 30 ECTS credits may be earned through such activities.

Mandatory courses for PhD students enrolled at Graduate School, Arts

There are three PhD courses that are mandatory for enrolled PhD students at the Graduate School, Arts.

We recommend that the courses PhD Supervision for PhD Students at Arts and Introduction to University Teaching for PhD Students are completed early in the PhD programme to prepare students for their work obligations, including departmental duties.

Exemptions may be granted if the student has previously acquired equivalent qualifications. Please contact the PhD Administration at: Graduate.school.arts@au.dk

PhD Supervision for PhD Students at Arts

  • For further information please see this page.
  • If you have any questions regarding this course please contact Bente Jønshøj at the Centre for Educational Development.

Introduction to University Teaching for PhD Students

  • For further information please see this page.
  • If you have any questions regarding this course please contact Bente Jønshøj at the Centre for Educational Development

Research Integrity and Ethics
The PhD course in Research Integrity and Ethics is offered twice a year.

Can I use my travel grant for conferences, courses and seminars?

Yes, it is possible, but please note that the funds are primarily intended to support research stays abroad

  • Short stays (max. five days): Conferences, courses and seminars which have been approved in the PhD plan.
  • Expenses must observe the rules. Reasonable, documented expenses for meals (max. 5 days), but no more than those specified in the current rules for public servants covering transport expenses and unemployment benefit.
  • Expenses must comply with the following rules: https://medarbejdere.au.dk/en/administration/finance/travel-booking-and-settlement 
  • Expenses must be entered in the RejsUd system in the form of expense settlements

How to apply for a PhD course

PhD courses offered by Graduate School, Arts

For PhD courses offered by Graduate School, Arts you need to apply through PhD Course Management. When you have found at suitable course you press the button ´sign in to register´.

Please note

  • All questions related to registration, deadline, seats, waiting list etc. must be pointed to the PhD Course administrator: Andreas Mølgaard Laursen – amla@au.dk
  • After applying for a PhD course offered by Graduate School, Arts you will be automatically placed on a waiting list. After the course deadline you will be notified if you got a seat on the course

PhD courses offered by other Danish Universities and institution

Please follow the individual institutions practice.

PhD courses offered by other institutions

Please note that the list below is not exhaustive

PhD School at the Faculty of Humanities at University of Copenhagen

PhD School at the Faculty of Theology at University of Copenhagen

The Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Humanities at Aalborg Universitet

Doctoral School of Communication and Arts at Roskilde University

Aarhus BSS Graduate School at Aarhus University

Copenhagen Graduate School of Social Sciences

Doctoral School of Social Sciences and Business at Roskilde University

The Research School Religion Values Society

  • The Research School RVS offers courses for PhD students with projects on religion, values, and society. Our inter-disciplinary profile helps students to widen their academic horizon. RVS offers community and gives much-needed encouragement during the many challenging periods in a PhD project. RVS was founded in 2009 and was appointed ‘National researcher school’ by the Research council of Norway 2016-2024. From 2025, RVS consists of 9 partner institutions in Norway, Denmark and Sweden.
  • See the courses here: https://rvs.mf.no/

Danish PhD course association (Det åbne kursusmarked)

PhD students at Aarhus University can participate in PhD courses offered at member institutions of The Danish PhD association free of change. Charges may occur depending on the length of the course and to cover costs for catering.

Please note that Copenhagen Business School are not part of the national agreement.

For further information, please refer to the agreement between members of the Danish PhD association (in Danish)