For PhD Students

This page provides an overview of the key expectations and support structures for PhD students at the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering (BCE). You'll find guidance on formal requirements set by GSTS, local work obligations tied to employment at BCE, timelines for progress reporting, and initiatives to support your academic well-being.

It complements the general guidelines provided by the Graduate School of Technical Sciences (GSTS) with department-specific information, expectations, and support contacts. 

Whether you're in a 5+3, 4+4, or 3+5 programme—or part of an industrial or EU-funded project—this page helps clarify what is expected of you and where to find help when needed.

Requirements for PhD Students

PhD students at BCE are subject to both the general requirements set by the Graduate School of Technical Sciences (GSTS) and local obligations tied to their employment status. These requirements ensure academic quality, active participation in the research community, and meaningful contribution to the department.

Below, you'll find an overview of both the formal academic expectations and the work-related obligations for employed PhD students at BCE.

Formal requirements determined by GSTS

  • Carry out independent research under supervision (the PhD project). The project will be concluded by writing a PhD thesis
  • Complete PhD courses and/or similar study elements
  • Participate in active research environments, including visits to other (mainly foreign) research institutions and/or private research enterprises
  • Gain experience in dissemination (e.g. teaching, supervision, public outreach) which is related to the PhD student’s project.

BCE requirements

As an employed PhD student (5+3), you are obliged to perform work tasks for the department equivalent to 280 working hours per year, totaling 840 hours for three years - exemptions excluded. 

  • PhD students enrolled under industrial PhD programmes or funded through EU initiatives (e.g. Marie Skłodowska-Curie) are exempt from departmental work obligations.

  • For students enrolled in the 4+4 or 3+5 programmes, who are employed by BCE during the final two years (after passing the qualifying exam), the same rules apply as for 5+3 students. However, since their employment covers only two years, the total work obligation is 560 hours.

Well-being during your PhD programme

A PhD journey can be both rewarding and challenging. At BCE, we are committed to supporting the well-being of our PhD students throughout their studies. The BCE PhD Committee works with the Graduate School of Technical Sciences (GSTS) to strengthen well-being initiatives and ensure that support systems are available and visible.


Need help?

You have several options for making contact:


Approval of ECTS (other activities)

According to GSTS guidelines, a maximum of 10 ECTS credits can be earned for activities outside of traditional, formal PhD courses.

These activities fall into two main categories:

1) conference participation 

2) other activities considered as ad hoc courses.

Detailed guidelines for ECTS approval and the application form with each activity type can be found in this document: Approval of ECTS - other activities


To apply for ECTS credits:

  1. You and your main supervisor must discuss and agree on the expected outcomes and learning goals for your participation 
  2. Complete the activity and submit the application form.
  3. Obtain your supervisor's signature on the application form and send it to Andreas Røge Jepsen (PhD Secretary at BCE: arj@bce.au.dk) who will get Keld Lars Bak's (Programme Chair at BCE's) signature
  4. Finally, upload the completed application to your MyPhD Page.