Aarhus University Seal

Graduate programmes

The Graduate School of Health has a framework of Graduate Programmes (GPs). The foundation for the PhD degree programme is formed by the five departments at the Faculty of Health: Department of Clinical Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Department of Public Health, Department of Forensic Medicine and Department of Dentistry and Oral Health. As a PhD student you are enrolled in one of three graduate programmes:

Duties and responsibilities of the Head of Graduate programme

The duties and responsibilities of the Graduate Programmes are determined by the Head of the Graduate School.

The daily management of each of the programmes is undertaken by a Head of (Graduate) Programme, who is appointed jointly by the Head of the Graduate School and the responsible Head of Department.

The duties and responsibilities of the Head of (Graduate) Programme are determined by the Head of the Graduate School, and the Head of (Graduate) Programme may delegate tasks to other persons, including decisions on establishment of academic specialisations under the programme. The Heads of (Graduate) Programmes are generally responsible for the following:

  • Dialogue with the Heads of Department and the academic environments
  • Handling of applications for admission/fellowships, including distribution of applications among members for pre-assessment and subsequent recommendation
  • Participation in allocation of fellowships
  • Follow-up of regular progress reports on enrolled PhD students
  • Recommendations regarding appointment of assessment committees
  • Course proposals of relevance to the individual Graduate Programmes (submitted to the Head of the Graduate School)

In addition, the Head of (Graduate) Programme may be required, by the Head of the Graduate School, to undertake duties related to the PhD education.

Furthermore, for each Graduate Programme, the Head of (Graduate) Programme and the Head of Department must establish an Academic Advisory Group (AAG) consisting of researchers from the Faculty of Health at Aarhus University, the hospitals and (if needed) other members with relevant academic qualifications. The composition of the AAG must, as far as possible, reflect the diversity of the academic expertise within the programme in question and the involved departments. Additionally, PhD students must be presented in the AAG. Group members must provide the Head of (Graduate) Programme with advice and consulting and may also, in the event of an ethical disqualification, be authorised to act on behalf of the Head of (Graduate) Programme.

The Heads of Departments must make available the staff-related resources (supervisors in particular) required for the programme.

Dialogue and coordination among the Head of the Graduate School, Heads of (Graduate) Programme, Heads of Departments and AAG members must be ensured through biannual (mid-year) meetings in the PhD Forum; staff and management from the HE PhD Administration will also participate in these regular meetings.