Aptitude Colloquium & Doctoral Plan

Doctoral plan

The doctoral plan must be written within twelve months after enrolment. The research project forms the basis for the aptitude colloquium, which all doctoral students must complete before the end of the first year. More information can be found on the Rectorate's website.

Aptitude colloquium

Within twelve months after provisional admission, doctoral students defend their doctoral plan in an aptitude colloquium. In doing so, they prove they can assess the relevance of their research area and place it in the current context of scientific research.Passing the aptitude colloquium is a condition for definitive admission to the doctorate. The doctoral plan forms the basis for the aptitude colloquium and must be finalized when the AC is registered.

The aptitude colloquium is conducted by the aptitude committee, which is composed as follows:

• the chairperson (official Professor of ETH Zurich);
• the doctoral thesis supervisor;
• the second advisor

The doctoral students notify the doctoral committee of the date and the composition of the aptitude committee at least 10 days before the planned execution using the form for notification and execution of the aptitude colloquium.