For doctoral students, who have registered for their doctoral studies after December 1, 2011, the Doctoral Regulations (Promotionsreglement) of August 18, 2011, apply.
For doctoral students who enrolled before December 1, 2011, Doctoral Studies are regulated by Art. 28 - 30 of the Study Regulations of April 24, 2003.
After submitting the dissertation to the supervisor, doctoral students must separately register with the Dean’s Office in order to file for graduation from the doctoral program.
The awarding of doctoral degrees is voted on at regular meetings of the Law Faculty. After a positive vote has been taken, the recipient is entitled to hold the title "Doctorate", and an interim doctoral degree certificate, valid for two years, is issued. Within two years from the vote of the faculty, 20 copies of the final published doctoral dissertation must be submitted to the General Secretariat of the University:
University of Bern
General Secretariat
Hochschulstrasse 6
3012 Bern
Once all 20 copies have been handed in, doctoral students will receive their official final doctoral degree diploma.
Students whose dissertations earned a grade of magna cum laude or higher can submit a written request to the Dean’s Office, requesting a contribution from the law faculty for a portion of the printing costs.
Graduation ceremonies take place every May and November.
