Committee responsible for admitting doctoral candidates to doctorates. The composition of such a committee may differ per university and/or discipline. In some universities, the duty to admit doctoral candidates may be placed with a doctoral committee.

Member of academic staff who supervises the work of a doctoral candidate jointly with the supervisor. May or may not be connected to the same university as the supervisor.

Joint supervision of a doctoral candidate affiliated to one university, by academics connected to one or more other universities. Contrary to a joint or double doctorate, a cotutelle ultimately results in one diploma by the university to which the candidate is primarily affiliated and in which the candidate completes doctoral research and a (joint) training programme when so required. Arguably, the term cotutelle may pose strong overlaps with that of a double doctorate. Indeed, in some Member States joint supervision leading to multiple diplomas is considered a cotutelle. For the purpose of this report, however, the distinction between a cotutelle and a double doctorate as reflected in these definitions applies.

Final examination for the conclusion of the doctorate during which the research conducted by the candidate as laid down in the doctoral thesis is assessed by the defence committee. The defence can be either public or private and comprises different formats depending on the university and/or discipline.

Committee responsible for the evaluation of the doctoral thesis and research at the defence. The requirements for the composition of defence committees may differ per university and/or discipline.

Administrative procedure to be initiated by the candidate upon conclusion of the doctorate through which the candidate may progress to the conclusion of the doctorate. The defence of the thesis is an indispensable element of this procedure.

Based on agreements between participating institutions, the result of a doctorate may be: a) One diploma by multiple universities (i.e. result of a joint degree); b) Multiple diplomas by multiple universities (i.e. result of a double doctorate); c) One diploma issued by one university (i.e. result of a cotutelle)

A faculty or university-wide body responsible for overseeing all matters related to doctoral education and training. In some universities, the doctoral committee may, for example, be responsible for both admission of doctoral candidates, overseeing training, and for granting candidates admission to the defence procedure.

Research conducted independently by a doctoral candidate aimed at preparing a doctoral thesis under supervision of a supervisor, ultimately leading to the degree of doctor.

Programme consisting of at least doctoral research and a training programme with the objective of obtaining a doctoral degree.

Doctorate consisting of doctoral research and/or a (joint) training programme conducted at two or more universities under the supervision of academics connected to the universities involved where the candidate fulfils the requirements set by all universities part of the double doctorate, ultimately resulting in multiple diplomas.

Committee responsible for the evaluation of the doctoral thesis and its approval for the defence. The requirements for the composition of evaluation committees may differ per university and/or discipline.

Persons responsible for the evaluation of the doctoral thesis and its approval for the defence. Who may act as evaluator differs per country, university and/or discipline.

Doctorate consisting of doctoral research and/or a (joint) training programme conducted at two or more universities under the supervision of academics connected to the universities involved where the candidate the requirements set by all universities part of the joint doctorate, thereby ultimately resulting in one diploma.

Training programme organised jointly by two or more universities, which may ultimately lead to a single, double, or joint doctorate degree.

Examination usually prior to a public defence through which the research conducted by the candidate is assessed. The need for a pre-defence may differ per university and/or discipline, as may the composition of the evaluators present at the pre-defence.

Member of academic staff responsible for supervising the doctoral candidate. Usually a professor or in any case a member of academic staff with a doctoral degree.

Committee consisting of the doctoral candidate's (co-)supervisors and possible other members of academic staff overseeing the progress of the doctoral research and training.

Programme involving, among others, courses relevant to the subject of the doctoral research, methodological skills training, transferrable skills training, participation in and organisation of seminars, workshops, and conferences, and (inter)national research stays. Depending on the university, the fulfilment of training programmes may or may not be obligatory to obtain a doctoral degree.