Reimbursement and fees

Last updated: April 2026

Information on travel reimbursement, accommodation, and fees for external PhD examiners

How to claim assessment fee and reimbursement of travel expenses in relation to PhD defence
  • Assessors living in Denmark, please complete this form
  • Assessors living outside of Denmark, please complete this form
Assessment fee 

The standard assessment fee is 8.282,24 DKK which corresponds to 16 hours of work. Please note that the chairperson does not receive an assessment fee, as they are employed at UCPH.

Booking travel and accommodation 

Please only book your flights and hotel when the PhD Administration has approved the thesis for defence. If you need help making hotel reservations, please contact the PhD Administration at:

For the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

graduateschool@sund.ku.dk

For the the Faculty of Science

phd@science.ku.dk

For the Faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or Theology

phd@hrsc.ku.dk

We kindly ask that you contact us at least 10 days prior to your arrival. After this point, we cannot guarantee that we can secure accommodation for you.

More information regarding hotels
The maximum reimbursable amount for hotel accommodation is 1,956 DKK per night. For travel within Europe, the maximum reimbursable stay is one night. For travel outside Europe, the maximum reimbursable stay is up to three nights.

If you need additional nights in relation to your travel, please ask the department you are visiting whether they can cover this. If so, please provide the relevant documentation when requesting reimbursement or when we arrange the booking on your behalf.

If you have booked and paid for the hotel yourself, please provide an invoice directed to ‘Copenhagen University - ’. Please ask at the hotel reception for the final invoice when checking out. 

Private accommodation 

If you stay in a private home (with family or friends) during your visit, you are eligible to receive a small allowance of 268 DKK per night. This apply for one night if you are from within Europe and up to three nights if you are from outside of Europe

Transportation

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to claim reimbursement of expenses 

Before the PhD defence, the PhD Administration will send you a link to the form you must complete for your assessment fee to be paid and your expenses reimbursed. If any expenses are paid directly by your employer, please ask your workplace to send an invoice and receipts to:

 

 

 

 

Lunch or dinner for the assessment committee

You can be reimbursed for expenses related to one lunch or dinner for the assessment committee.

The following expenses are covered:

  • One dinner or lunch for the assessment committee, primary supervisor and primary co-supervisor
  • A maximum of 900DKK per person is reimbursable including drinks
  • Tips are not reimbursed

To be reimbursed for lunch or dinner, please send your receipts, an attendance list, and a brief description of the occasion to the PhD Administration.

Questions? 

Please contact the PhD Administration on (+45) 35 32 65 70 or by email:

For the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

graduateschool@sund.ku.dk

For the Faculty of Science

phd@science.ku.dk

For the Faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or Theology

phd@hrsc.ku.dk

Timeline for the assessment fee and reimbursement process
  • 1

    Minimum 3 weeks before defence

    The PhD Administration sends the approved preliminary assessment to the PhD student, supervisor, and assessment committee, and includes information for the assessor regarding travel arrangements in the same email.

  • 2

    Minimum 2 weeks before defence

    The PhD Administration announces the defence and sends information regarding assessment fee and reimbursement of travel expenses. The assessors arrange their own travel and may contact the PhD Administration if they need assistance booking a hotel.

  • 3

    After the defence

    The external assessors claim their assessment fee and reimbursement of travel expenses through the link provided in the email sent by the PhD Administration. You can also find the forms at the top of this page.

  • 4

    Maximum 2 months after the defence

    The PhD Administration will ensure that the payment of the assessment fee and travel reimbursement is processed. Please note that a processing time of up to two months is the maximum timeframe. Cases are typically finalised much faster, and we aim to complete the process within one month whenever possible.