1st and 2nd Year Examination (New Regulations)

The 1st year examination is a two-hour written exam on the question and methodology of the research project. It forms the basis for a critical assessment of the potential and limitations of the chosen approach for the project. The examination takes place a year after the candidate’s registration at the GHS (the application deadline).

The 1st year examination is organized by the candidate, who contacts the examiners and agrees on a date and place. The examiners are the thesis advisor (or the co-thesis advisor) and the co-referee. 

The examination is independently assessed with two grades. One grade is given by the thesis advisor or the co-thesis advisor. If both the thesis advisor and the co-thesis advisor participate, they express one common grade. The second grade is given by the co-referee. Please see also the supervision overview table.

The evaluation of the examination and corresponding grades are recorded on the 1st year examination record. The signed form must be submitted to the GHS Coordinator with the GHS Office in cc.

The grading criteria are listed in the 1st year examination record.

The thesis advisor or the co-thesis advisor formulates the exam questions. Examples are:

"Critically discuss the approach and methods (e.g. systematic literature review, analysis of questionnaire data, controlled experiment, meta analysis, …) applied or planned in your studies."

The examination is performed without ancillary resources and must take place in a formal setting (e.g. at the candidate's institute) in the presence of at least one examiner. The only ancillary resource permitted is a dictionary. The use of textbooks or a cellphones is not permitted, nor is the use of the candidate's own laptop/computer.

An unsatisfactory 1st year examination can be retaken once within six months.

The 2nd year examination takes places a year after the 1st year examination. The 2nd year examination is organized by the candidate, who contacts the examiners and agrees on a date and place.

The examination consists of a 30-40 minute public scientific presentation in the presence of the thesis committee, followed by a discussion about the research conducted. The presentation and discussion should include an outlook on the final phase of the project.

The presentation is held at a regular colloquium or seminar series at an institute or clinic that is part of the GHS program. Online examinations are permitted if at least one examiner is present with the candidate.

The examination is assessed by three examiners. The first examiner must be thesis advisor and/or co-thesis advisor. If both the thesis advisor and the co-thesis advisor participate, they express one common grade. The second must be the co-referee, and the third examiner must be an independent expert. Independent experts are internationally recognized researchers from another university in the research field of the corresponding PhD project but who have not published together with the candidate, the thesis advisor and the co-thesis advisor in the last three years. Please see also the supervision overview table. The GHS Office is responsible for checking if the suggested independent expert qualifies for this role. Please contact the GHS Office well before the exam. 

The presentation should include an introduction that situates the candidate's own work in the context of the latest developments in the field. The candidate should systematically present the data obtained so far and the objectives for the remaining work of the PhD.

The presentation is followed by a public discussion of 15 to max. 60 minutes, moderated by the thesis advisor or co-thesis advisor, during which examiners and audience ask critical questions and involve the candidate in a scientific discourse. After the public discussion, a closed discussion is held between the candidate and the examiners only.

In the 2nd year examination record, points that should be included in the closed discussion and the grading criteria are listed.

The grades are recorded on the 2nd year examination record. The signed form must be submitted to the GHS Coordinator with the GHS Office in cc.

The mentor can be present at the examination but cannot grade it. The presence of the mentor is not mandatory.

An unsatisfactory 2nd year examination can be retaken once within six months.