The opponent should give a written statement on the dissertation and its defense including a proposal for the grade. It is strongly recommended that the statement is prepared immediately after the public examination. In case of two opponents they usually prepare a joint statement or for specific reasons (such as DDD-cases) individual statements. In the latter case the custos must be in touch with LUT Doctoral School (LUT.dissertation.process@lut.fi) before the public examination.

The custos takes care that the statement will be submitted in DOCIS as soon as possible after the public examination. The doctoral candidate and the supervisors will receive a notification once the statement is available in DOCIS. NOTE! Emails from DOCIS to the doctoral candidate are sent to the student.lut.fi address only. On the basis of this statement, the Academic Council decides whether the doctoral dissertation can be approved and gives it a grade.

At LUT University the grades for an approved dissertation are pass with distinction and pass. Note! The grade pass with distinction will be removed starting January 1, 2027. LUT Doctoral School will send the opponent the reward forms.

Check the dates for the Academic Council meetings (see Files - Dissertation process important dates).

Once the Academic Council has accepted the dissertation, you can apply for graduation. Read more about it on the Graduation and the degree certificate eLUT-page.