The final date for the defence of the thesis will be agreed on in the cotutelle agreement, taking into account the regulations of both universities. Although the maximum time to carry out the doctoral thesis at the UPV/EHU is 3 years, with the possibility of an exceptional extension of two more years, the period agreed in the cotutelle agreement may be shorter if required by the regulations of the foreign university.

Doctoral studies must be carried out on a full-time basis (part-time studies are note permitted).