The Structure: More Than Just a Thesis
The doctoral program is officially designed for 3 years (180 ECTS), but most students take 4–5 years to finish.
ECTS Breakdown: You aren't just writing; you must complete 18 ECTS of coursework (lectures, seminars). The remaining 162 ECTS are attributed to your dissertation.
The "Rigorosum": The final hurdle is an oral defense in front of a committee. It is public and generally lasts about an hour.
Cumulative vs. Monograph: Most departments allow a "cumulative" dissertation, where you compile 3+ peer-reviewed journal articles into a single thesis with an introductory framework.