The doctoral thesis consists of an original research work elaborated by the doctoral student in any discipline of the research lines established in the doctoral programs of the UAH. This work will be carried out in accordance with the Regulations for the Preparation, Authorization and Defense of the Doctoral Thesis.

Before applying for admission to a doctoral program, it is advisable for the student to contact a possible Thesis Director. If the student needs advice or information, he/she can contact the Coordinator of the doctoral program.

At the time of admission to the doctoral program, the Academic Committee responsible for the program will assign each doctoral student a Doctoral Thesis Director, who may or may not coincide with the person tutoring the student. This assignment may be made to a person with a doctoral degree, of any nationality, with adequate accredited research experience, regardless of the university, center or institution in which he/she provides his/her services. Furthermore, they must not be in situations of abstention due to kinship with the doctoral student as set out in article 23 of Law 40/2015, of 1 October, on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector.

The Thesis may be co-directed by other doctors, who must meet the same requirements in terms of research experience indicated above, when there are reasons of an academic nature, such as thematic interdisciplinarity or programs developed in national or international collaboration, with the prior authorization of the Academic Committee of the Doctoral Program. Such authorization may be subsequently revoked if, in the opinion of the Academic Committee, the co-direction does not benefit the development of the Thesis.

In exceptional cases, the Academic Committee may authorize the co-direction of the thesis by doctors who do not meet the requirements in terms of accredited research experience.

In no case will the number of Directors exceed three. In the event that co-direction by three persons is considered, authorization must be requested from the Doctoral School.

The Thesis Director will be responsible for the coherence and suitability of the training activities, the impact and novelty, in his/her field, of the subject matter of the doctoral thesis, as well as the guidance in the planning and adaptation, if necessary, to those of other projects and activities where the doctoral student is enrolled.

The Thesis Directors will have the obligation to accompany and advise the doctoral candidate throughout the development of his or her thesis in all those tasks included in the research plan and in the personal training plan.

The Academic Committee, having heard the doctoral student and the Director, may modify the appointment of the Thesis Director at any time during the period of the doctoral program, provided that there are justified reasons.