You can publish your dissertation in different ways. Only after publication may you use the title Dr. phil.; before that you must settle for the title Dr. des. You must publish the dissertation within two years. If you do not meet the deadline, submit an informal, substantiated request by email addressed to the dean before the deadline. Please include in the email the year of graduation and the title of your dissertation, and briefly explain why you need an extension of the publication deadline.
If your examiners require editorial changes prior to publication, please implement them and then obtain approval from the examiners. We expect to receive only papers that have been approved for publication.
Electronic publication
You can send an electronic version of your dissertation (PDF on CD-Rom) to the Central Library. You can find the process here, please note the following:
- There must be a reference to the online-licence included in the PDF with the full text of the dissertation
- Another PDF with a summary/abstract of the dissertation must be included on the CD-Rom
- Include as well: filled out and signed “consent form” for the publication of the dissertation on the server of the University’s library.
Please note:
- The submission of the obligatory copies is not required.
- After an electronic publication it might be difficult to find a publisher who additionally publishes the dissertation in book form.
Publication of printed copies or CDs
You submit either 8 CD-Rom or 9 printed copies of the dissertation to the Rectorate / General Secretariat:
Universität Bern / Generalsekretariat
Hochschulstrasse 6 / CH-3012 Bern / Tel. +41 31 631 82 55
Please read the information sheet on obligatory copies carefully. Please do not forget the insert sheet.
Printed obligatory copies will be distributed as follows: Central Library of the Universities of Bern, Swiss National Library Bern, Universities of Zurich, Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchatel, Lucerne and Ticino.
Publication of printed books in a publisher's shop
You submit a publishing contract to the Dean's Office.