Doctoral Awards Ceremony
Welcome to Doctoral Awards Ceremony
The next doctoral awards ceremony will take place on 14 November 2025 in the Aula in the Main Building, NTNU Gløshaugen, in Trondheim.
- Ceremony start: 12:00 - Friday 14 November 2025
- Doors open 11:00, attendance no later than 11:30
- For PhD defences between 01.01. – 30.06.2025
- Dress code for doctors: formal attire
The doctoral degree awards ceremony is a formal event with speeches, music, and the award of diplomas to the new doctoral graduates. After the ceremony, all guests are welcome to a simple reception in Rådssalen and the Aula.
Please note that photographers will be present to take photos and video.
Rehearsal the day before
- Rehearsal at 18:00, 13 November in the Aula.
PS! No dress code at the rehearsal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The Doctoral Awards Ceremony at NTNU is held in March and November every year.
- March ceremony: For PhD defences between 1 July - 31 December, last year.
- November ceremony: For PhD defences between 1 January - 30 June, same year.
- Other doctors who have not previously been promoted can ask to be put on a waiting list, by contacting their relevant faculty. You can find their contact info in the column on the right side of this website.
- Every qualified doctor will receive an email invitation with a registration form.
- The invitation will normally be sent approx. 2 months prior to the ceremony.
- If you haven´t received your invitation, please contact your relevant faculty. You can find their contact info in the column on the right side of this website.
- No, participation in the Doctoral Awards Ceremony and the party afterwards is free of charge.
- It is NTNU's way of thanking those of you who have completed the university's highest education.
- It is also free for your guests.
- The ceremony is a complicated procedure with a coordinated entry procession, dedicated seating and a specific system for distributing of diplomas and photography.
- Our experience is that those who have participated in the rehearsal are more able to enjoy the ceremony.
- Those who have participated in the rehearsal experience less stress during the ceremony, because they know what is happening.
- Black suit refers to daytime dressing in ceremonial circumstances, meaning, for example, that a tuxedo is not the right thing. Neither is jeans. Some doctors and guests choose to wear national costumes. We suggest that you dress nicely and in a way you feel comfortable.
- The dress code is mainly for the doctors. We suggest that your guests also dress accordingly.
- The dress code is for the ceremony. There is no need for dressing up for the rehearsal.
- Each doctor may bring two guests. We have sent an invitation with an online registration form where it is possible to register up to two guests.
- You must notify us of this when you register. Add it in the separate section for comments in the registration form.
- Your guest will be helped in the best possible way and we will reserve a seat in the hall especially for they.
- All your guests are welcome. We appreciate it if the youngest accompanied children sit near the exit so that it is easy to leave the hall if the children get tired or loud during the ceremony.
- We have a separate room on the 3rd floor where we welcome accompanying children. Diaper changes and breastfeeding are possible there. There is also a sofa available.
- All children must be supervised by a parent/adult throughout the ceremony.
- Yes, but please no flash photography and walking around in the venue during the ceremony.
- NTNU´s own photographer will take high-quality pictures during the ceremony and also group photos of all the doctors after they´ve received their diploma.
- There will also be taken a group photo with all the doctors together, after the academic procession at the end of the ceremony.
- All the photos will be made available for free use after the ceremony. Look under "previous Doctoral Awards Ceremonies" on the right side of this website.
- Please remember to credit the photographer when you post a photo on your social media accounts.
- Your diploma will be sent to you after the Doctoral Awards Ceremony, from the faculty you belonged to when you defended your thesis.
- Make sure that your faculty has your current address, so that your diploma reaches your letterbox.
- You can unregister until the deadline expires. Go online and delete your own registration.
- After the deadline has expired, you have to email your contact at the faculty to have you deleted from the attendant list.
- Important: In case of illness or withdrawal the day before or on the day of the ceremony, please notify us by sending an SMS to +47 934 67 209 or +47 959 22 287.
- Supervisors are regular guests, and are invited by the faculties via a dedicated registration link.
- There are no reserved seats; they have to find a place in the seating area for all guests.
- Public parking, administered by Trondheim Parkering, is available in the area.
- NTNU has no special parking available for Doctoral Awards Ceremony guests.
- We recommend taking a taxi. Buses 3 and 22 might also be suitable as alternative transportation from the city centre. The buses stop right next to NTNU's Main Administration Building, which is where the Aula is located.
- The duration of the ceremony is approx. 90 minutes.
- After the ceremony there will be a group photography session with all the doctors and a reception with catering.
About the Doctoral Awards Ceremony
NTNU often names and honours one or more Honorary Doctors at the Doctoral Awards Ceremony.
NTNU’s Honoray Award is awarded at the Doctoral Awards Ceremony.
NTNU's Doctoral Awards Ceremony is held twice a year in the University's magnificent and traditional-rich Aula. The Doctoral Awards Ceremony is for everyone who has received his or her doctorate (PhD) after completing their doctoral education at the university.
NTNU Doctoral Awards Ceremony musicians.
Contact
Do you have any questions about the Doctoral Awards Ceremony? Please contact your faculty by email:
- AD – Sissel Hagen-Formo | Camilla Skjold Ødegaard | AD email
- HF – Hanne Siri Sund | Øyvor Nordahl Klubnes | HF email
- IE – Anne Danielsen | Lena Haugen | Urszula Nowostawska
- IV – Elin Kristidatter Steen | Linda Fjølstad | IV email
- MH – Gro Neergård | Sigrid Wold | Marianne Herman | MH email
- NV – Anne Sæther | Maja Haaker
- SU – Siw Katrin Berg | Karoline Wiik Johnsen
- ØK – Helene Sommerbakk | Ingjerd Fugleberg Kildal
- Gjøvik – Ingrid von Schantz Bakka
Eirik Tiller
Communication Division
Email: eirik.tiller@ntnu.no
Mobile: +47 934 67 209
Doctor ring
Order a ring by contacting Gullsmed Karlgård at:
- Phone: +47 73 52 33 13
- Email: post@gullsmedkarlgard.no
- Adress: Nordre gt. 12, 7011 Trondheim
NTNU's doctor ring is crafted by AVS Design.