The graduation phase in Hora Finita follows a sequence of steps after the supervisor planned the PhD Defence Ceremony. The PhD candidate can then submit their manuscript, authorship statement and propositions to the PhD supervisor for review.

1. The PhD supervisor checks if the manuscript and the authorship statement are ready for assessment by the Manuscript Committee. The supervisor also checks if the propositions are ready to be assessed by the Academic Board via the Graduation Office. At this stage, the supervisor can also propose a possible 'cum laude' for this thesis.
2. On request the PhD supervisor proposes members for the Assessment Committee.
3. The proposed composition goes through an approval process by the Graduation Office.
4. Once appointed, the Assessment Committee members assess the thesis and also consider if is it worthy to be considered for 'cum laude' or support the 'cum laude' proposed by the supervisor (if applicable).
5. Should the 'cum laude' be proposed/supported by the Assessment Committee, a separate process will be started where two external referees (to be suggested by the first supervisor) will be asked to assess the manuscript as well. After this, a decision is made whether or not the cum laude procedure will be continued.
6. Following approval of the manuscript, the PhD candidate will be asked to submit the title pages and cover. Upon submitting their title pages and cover the Graduation Office will review it. Only after approval by the Graduation Office may the final thesis be printed.