PhD Programme

As a rule, the post of a PhD scholarship at RSLIS is a three year fixed-term research position according to the job structure of RSLIS and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the universities.

RSLIS does not fund PhD scolarships outside this job structure. Therefore, all other PhD students are required to pay a tuition fee for supervision, obligatory PhD courses, travel to conferences etc., which is at least 20.-30.000 DKK per year.

You should also be aware that the cost of living for international researchers in Denmark is estimated to DKK 6.639 per month in 2012 according to Danida, the Danish fellowship centre

The length of the PhD programme offered by the Royal School of Library and Information Science is three years (equivalent to 180 ECTS points). The legislative framework underlying the School's PhD programme is identical to the regulations applying to the PhD programmes in other higher education institutions in Denmark. Included in the programme is a sequence of courses and seminars equivalent to a maximum of six months' student workload (30 ECTS) and a communication and dissemination of findings sequence as well as related work corresponding to a maximum of six months' student workload (30 ECTS). The rest of the study period is earmarked for the PhD Scholar's own work with a PhD project, which should result in a doctoral dissertation. Thus, the dissertation part of the programme is equal to a minimum of two years' independent and self-directed work with the PhD project. That means a full study load for two academic years (120 ECTS).

The contents of the sequence of courses and seminars can vary but a combination of a joint introductory compulsory sequence targeted to all PhD scholarships enrolled at the School plus a sequence of elective courses etc. is aimed at. The sequence of elective courses, etc. can be composed of more project-centered and interest-specific courses and seminars. It is possible to select courses and seminars offered by other academic institutions including for instance the Nordic higher education and research institutions in the field of Library and Information Science. Enrolment for the PhD program takes place at the Royal School of Library and Information Science. The total programme of studies will be structured around a number of central research areas within Library and Information Science. The PhD Scholar is allowed to undertake the project-specific courses by participating in national and international "research training schools", domestic courses for researchers and research programs as well as international seminars and conferences. The contents, sequencing and timetabling of these study activities should be agreed with the PhD supervisors and be approved by the School's Dean of Research.

The PhD scholar's teaching sequence, a required part of the PhD programme, should be agreed with the Dean of Research and Dean of Education and the supervisor. Dissemination and mediation work such as presentations at conferences, seminars and workshops constitutes a recognised part of the compulsory volume of teaching. If the PhD scholar spends a part of the PhD study period abroad doing research or attending courses, etc. the required volume of teaching will be proportionally reduced.

The Dean of Research nominates the PhD principal supervisor. In addition, an adjunct supervisor can be attached to the PhD student's project. The adjunct supervisor can be an internal or external peer.

It is the duty of supervisors to see to it that the student's individual PhD study program is progressing according to the plan prepared at the outset of the study program. As part of the individual study towards the PhD degree, each PhD scholar is required to present a bi-annual report on his or her activities. The bi-annual report will form the basis for monitoring progress of PhD scholar and for judging whether studies are progressing satisfactorily.

The terms of employment for salaried PhD scholarship holders at the Royal School of Library and Information Science are according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Academic Unions) on PhD scholarship holders on the payroll of a higher education institution.

PhD scholars holding scholarships from other higher education institutions in Denmark or in other countries can apply for admission to the PhD program of the Royal School of Library and Information Science and be assigned a supervisor appointed by the School.

Questions about research?

Contact the research administration.