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At Maastricht University, a PhD degree is not just a study but a serious research project that adds new knowledge to a given field. There are three ways to become a PhD candidate at UM, which are outlined below. As a PhD candidate, you’ll spend most of your time conducting original research and writing a dissertation. You might also follow courses relevant to your research or have teaching responsibilities as well. Most candidates take four years to complete their dissertation and earn their degree. Requirements for our PhD programmes vary, but you will at least need a master’s degree, a high level of English proficiency and a strong academic record.

There are three ways to obtain a PhD at Maastricht University:

Apply for a paid phd position.

As a paid PhD candidate, you’ll be an employee of the university and will conduct research in conjunction with a faculty, research school or institute. You can search for a PhD vacancy on Academic Transfer or contact a faculty directly.   Paid PhD positions

Note: FHML/MUMC+ discerns 4 types of PhDs.

Enrol in a PhD training programme

Several of our graduate schools and research institutes offer PhD training programmes. In these programmes, you will follow a number of courses as well as write a dissertation. We have both full-time and part-time programmes.

  PhD training programmes

Obtain external funding & pitch your idea

Do you have a specific research proposal that does not match one of our vacancies? Then you can also obtain external funding and pitch your idea to one of our faculties, graduate schools or research institutes.

  Externally funded PhDs

Why Maastricht University?

The Netherlands ranks second worldwide in the number of publications per researcher and third worldwide in the impact of research publications, according to the Netherlands organisation for international cooperation in higher education (NUFFIC). At Maastricht University, PhD candidates are respected as full-fledged members of our research community. You'll be treated as a peer and will be given all the support you need for your research. There is a high level of interdisciplinary and inter-institutional cooperation at UM, and PhDs often complete their dissertation alongside their career. Such a commitment requires hard work and fortitude. And it especially requires the capacity to innovate, to come up with new ideas and new ways of seeing and applying knowledge.

International environment

Maastricht University was the first university in the Netherlands to strive for internationalisation. Almost half of our students and 40% of our academic staff come from abroad. Each faculty, school and institute has extensive international partnership networks and the university encourages international research collaborations. Students and researchers have many opportunities to study and work abroad, and our graduates are eagerly sought in the international labour market and research community.

Active PhD community

At Maastricht University, we have a vibrant PhD community. There are many ways to connect with your peers on a social and professional level:

• PhD Academy Maastricht
• Young Researchers Academy
• Central PhD Candidates Platform
• PhD candidates Network (PNN)
• Meet & Greet Maastricht
• Representative participation for UM
• ProVUM Maastricht
• European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers (Eurodoc)

Current PhD candidates

In the overview for current PhDs, you can find more information on:

• additional courses
• professional development opportunities
• practical matters
• Scholarships

  Overview for current PhDs

Research master's

Have you finished your bachelor’s and would like to pursue a PhD? Then you should consider one of our research master’s programmes, which specifically prepare you to be successful as a doctoral candidate. In some of these programmes, more than 90% of the students go on to become PhD candidates. You can find the research master's programmes in our master's overview.

Master's programmes

Defending your thesis

A PhD Defence ceremony is a formal occasion with strict protocols governing each person’s role, responsibility, and even the language used. It all works a bit like a trial, hence the term ‘PhD defence’. If you are a PhD candidate at the end of your trajectory you need to formally request permission for a public defense ceremony soon. In this website you find information on practical matters you need to arrange before and during your doctoral research and explains how to go about your your PhD defense.

  More information

One step closer to an anti-stress pill

Why are some people more sensitive to stress than others? Dennis Hernaus was hired as a PhD candidate to study the relationship between stress and dopamine levels of patients using PET scanners. He found that low dopamine levels are associated with increased sensitivity to stress and vice versa.  

Wrestling with medical-ethical dilemmas during WWII

Is it okay for a doctor to make someone ill or appear ill if it saves them from being boarded on a train and sent to a death camp? Hannah van den Ende studied the experiences of 534 Dutch-Jewish doctors who wrestled with this type of ethical dilemma during WWII.  

Studying HIV-related stigma in virtual reality

Stigmatising behaviour is often unconscious. People don't usually realise that they treat HIV patients differently. But the consequences are real. Henna Toppenberg and her PhD supervisor Rob Ruiter are using virtual reality to gain more insight into this behaviour so they can help bring about change.  

A Beginner's Guide to Dutch Academia

Detailed information on Dutch research and higher education can be found in  A Beginner's Guide to Dutch Academia. 

Hortense Jongen winner of The 2018 Dissertation Prize

The 2018 Dissertation Prize, this year awarded for the best doctoral dissertation from the inner city faculties, went to Hortense Jongen from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Her thesis is entitled: ‘Combating corruption the soft way: The authority of peer reviews in the global fight against graft.’

Your PhD programme

We know you have a passion for research and science (that’s why you are reading this page). Joining a PhD programme at TU Delft might be the right choice for you. As a PhD candidate, you have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of research areas, spread across eight faculties. During the four years of the PhD programme you will be conducting research, developing new knowledge and writing your dissertation. An inspiring environment and challenging programme that will help you become an independent researcher and a skilled professional. Academic excellence starts in Delft.

TU Delft is a prestigious university

At TU Delft you will be working at a top university in an international environment, surrounded by talented people with a passion for science, design and technology. During your PhD programme at TU Delft you will delve into a research field that fascinates you, under supervision of a professor leading in this field. One thing is for sure: in Delft you will be optimising your expertise and talent, allowing you to contribute to solving (future) challenges in our society. Explore our faculties and disciplines .

5 reasons to choose a PhD programme at TU Delft

• Advanced laboratory and experimental facilities that are unique in the Netherlands, and are used to conduct advanced research for the scientific field, and for business and industry
• International acclaimed supervisors to coach and guide you with your training and research activities
• Small group-based training and peer interaction (leading to a flourishing academic community and furthering peer learning)
• Customised Doctoral Education programme to cater to your individual learning needs
• Support to realise your personal and professional ambitions

Is a PhD track the right choice for you?

As a PhD candidate at TU Delft, you…

• Have an above-average interest in science, engineering and design
• Want to explore a scientific area in-depth and contribute to the scientific field
• Get excited about the possibility of contributing to solving societal issues by means of your research project
• Possess strong analytical skills and look forward to the possibility of conducting research independently
• Are a problem solver and a critical and innovative thinker
• Need to have a university master’s degree in a relevant field

By the numbers*

2.999 phd candidates, 431 phd defences, 31% female, 69% male, 69% from abroad, phd experience at tu delft: 7.9, * tu delft facts and figures 2021 and phd alumni survey 2021.

Engineering Doctorate: a practice-based alternative to a PhD Do you want a more design-oriented approach? Check out our EngD positions (Engineering Doctorate). This two-year design-traineeship offers you an application-focused alternative to a PhD position, and provides you with a solid basis for an accelerated start of your industrial career.

In six steps towards your PhD

In general, a PhD programme at TU Delft will take four years. In order to guarantee the quality of the PhD process, TU Delft has implemented a tailor-made PhD Development Cycle that covers the different stages in your PhD research. This cycle starts on the first day of your PhD and consists of six steps leading to your doctoral defence ceremony. Check out our infographic to learn more about your steps.

Related subjects

Doctoral Education Programme

Career Perspectives

Pursuing a PhD means spending a minimum of four years conducting original research and writing a dissertation. Throughout this time, PhD candidates work in close collaboration with their supervisor. A PhD is not regarded as study, but as serious research and PhD candidates in the Netherlands are often in paid employment.

Pursuing a PhD in the Netherlands

Admission and funding, why choose the netherlands for your phd.

The Netherlands has:

• excellent graduate schools;
• a large variety of research fields and extensive interdisciplinary collaboration;
• world-class research: ten Dutch research universities are ranked in the top 200 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022;
• mostly paid employment contracts for PhD candidates.

Research schools and graduate schools

All PhD candidates are part of a graduate school or research school. Research schools are partnerships between multiple research universities and research institutes, while graduate schools are organised within universities. Both provide an inspiring research environment, offering tailor-made study programmes, master classes, seminars and conferences.

A Dutch PhD is highly regarded

Once your dissertation is approved for publication, you will attend the public defence of your research and will be awarded the PhD at a ceremony steeped in tradition. A PhD from a Dutch university is highly regarded because of the high academic standards. The Netherlands has an excellent international ranking for the number of publications per researcher (2nd) and for the impact of research publication (4th).

Where are PhDs offered?

In the Netherlands, research is carried out by research universities, research institutes and companies, but only research universities can award PhD degrees. Other research institutes that work in close collaboration with a research university may also offer PhD positions.

Most PhD posts will often be advertised on job boards, such as AcademicTransfer , in scientific journals, or on notice boards at other institutions. If you see a PhD position that interests you, contact the institution directly about the application procedure.

Your own research proposal

If you have a specific research proposal of your own and cannot find a vacancy to match it, you may pitch your idea to universities or research groups that conduct research in the relevant field and are able to provide funding.

Admission criteria for PhD positions are rigorous, and potential candidates must have a solid background in the theory and methods of their field as well as a recognised master’s degree. PhD students from other countries generally choose to write their dissertation in English and will therefore need to demonstrate a good command of English idiom and grammar before the dissertation begins.

Funding your PhD position

In the Netherlands, there are generally 3 ways to fund your PhD:

• employed by the PhD-awarding institution;
• with a fellowship or grant awarded by a supporting body;
• with sponsorship from your employer.

Employed by an institution The majority of PhD candidates in the Netherlands have an employment contract with the institution where they will be conducting their research.

Fellowship or grant About one sixth of PhD candidates in the Netherlands find funding in the form of a fellowship or grant, and many of these come from abroad. Once you have found a fellowship or grant, you will need to find a supervisor at a research institution willing to support you. Organisations offering fellowships and grants can be found on the EURAXESS website and at our Finances overview .

Sponsored by your employer It is sometimes possible to study for a PhD part-time while working. If you and your employer are interested in this option, you should contact the institution of your choice for more information.

Tuition fees

Some Dutch institutions charge fees for enrolment, supervision and access to laboratories and other facilities. Each research university is free to decide on how much it charges and fees do vary from one discipline to the next, depending on whether expensive equipment is required or not.

The EURAXESS website provides detailed practical information useful for researchers (including PhD candidates) coming to the Netherlands, covering immigration procedures, social security, taxation, healthcare insurance, etc. If you need an entry visa, your prospective institution will advise you on the correct procedure for your particular situation.

• All categories

Studying for your PhD

Every year, around 400 PhD candidates defend their dissertation at Leiden University, spread across all the University’s different disciplines.

Pre-doctoral programmes China and Indonesia

Leiden University , Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and University of Groningen have jointly developed preparatory doctoral training programmes for prospective PhD candidates from China and Indonesia coming to The Netherlands. These programmes are completely online and on a voluntary basis.

A PhD track consists of original scientific research under the supervision of a professor, which takes on average 4 years. Many PhD candidates are employed by the University, but a number are subsidised by a grant that they have acquired themselves. The University also has a large number of external PhD candidates, who generally work part-time on their research.  

Graduate Schools

Every PhD candidate is enrolled in one of the University  Graduate Schools: 

• Graduate School of Archaeology
• Graduate School of Humanities
• Graduate School of Medicine
• Graduate School of Science
• Graduate School of Social and Behavioural Sciences
• Graduate School of Law
• Graduate School of Governance and Global Affairs

The Graduate Schools are responsible for training and supervising the PhD candidates. Within three months after starting a PhD track, a training and supervision plan is drawn up for every PhD candidate. The University also offers a large number of  courses in academic and more general professional skills .

Work and a PhD

Working and studying for a PhD at the same time? It’s possible at the Leiden University Dual PhD Centre The Hague . The Centre focuses on external PhD candidates who devote part of their working time to scientific research on a theme from their professional practice. The Centre helps them develop a research plan, provides training and ensures that their research fits within a scientific discipline and graduate school and that it ties in with the research of a potential supervisor. A unique opportunity for the PhD candidate, the employer and for science.  

Interested in studying for a PhD?

Vacancies for PhD positions at Leiden University can be found on the the University's job vacancy website. If you want to study for a PhD in Leiden, either with a subsidy you have acquired yourself or as an external candidate, you first have to find a professor who is prepared to act as your supervisor. Each Graduate School has a slightly different procedure, so you should check out the web page of the Graduate School of your discipline for more information. The admission requirement for a PhD is that the candidate has to have a Dutch master’s diploma or an equivalent qualification. The Graduate School will check the admission of candidates who have a different prior education. In addition, Graduate Schools may apply specific requirements, such as English language skills. 

Website for PhD candidates

The PhD portal offers information on courses, research facilities, finance and housing for PhD candidates. You can also find the PhD regulations there, containing a description of the policy and procedures concerning PhD tracks, and the PhD guidelines, that lay down minimal requirements for the supervision, training and facilities for PhD candidates.

International PhD candidates

The website of the Service Centre International Staff provides detailed information about such issues as a visa, insurances, bank matters and accommodation for international PhD candidates and employees.  

Scholarships

The Scholarships page has more information about the grants that are available to prospective PhD candidates to allow them to study in Leiden. 

Doing your PhD at UT

Doing a PhD will probably be the most influential time in your personal development to prepare you for your future career

In the Netherlands, only research universities like the University of Twente offer the third cycle of higher education leading to a PhD. A PhD involves spending four years of in-depth studying and researching in a particular area. You can do this within one of our research groups .

Programme overview

Your tasks as a PhD researcher include research activities, attending training courses and teaching and supervising activities (in principle only for employees). Your research activities will provide you with skills and experience you need to become an independent researcher. Part of your research also involves disseminating the knowledge you acquire, for example, through publications in academic journals.

During the 4-year PhD programme you do at least 30 credits worth of PhD courses or hands-on activities. These cover academic skills and career development, in depth disciplinary and wide-ranging courses. An integral part of a PhD is writing your PhD thesis and then, of course, presenting and defend your research in public. After successfully completing your PhD, you will be awarded the title of Doctor (Dr., equivalent to PhD).

• TGS brochure
• Double Badged / Joint PHD Programme RMIT University - UT (2019-2023)
• Joint PHD Programme Maquire University (MQ) - UT (2018-2028)
• A beginner's guide to Dutch Academia A guide for foreign researchers who would like to work in the Netherlands.

Interested?

Are you interested in becoming a top notch researcher at the University of Twente? Then please first make sure you meet the admission requirements . If you're sure you fit the bill, then it's time to apply for a PhD position .

If your passion lies more in design than in research make sure to find out more about our EngD programmes .

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PhD Programmes

Do you have a Master's degree or similar? And would you like to continue your career into research? Then a doctoral degree may be your next step.

All information for both prospective and current PhD students can be found in the  PhD Manual (pdf) .

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Municipalities taking a different course in the reception and assistance of refugees

Work in process: Unearthing Meaning using Process Mining

“We should see workarounds as valuable feedback, rather than turning a blind eye”

PhD Defense: Progression patterns in diffuse gliomas

PhD Defense: Harmonizing and Optimizing CT Perfusion Stroke Imaging

PhD defence: Asymptotic Hodge Theory in String Compactifications and Integrable Systems

PhD defence: Branch-and-bound trees, integrality gaps and online optimization - A tale of algorithms and randomness

PhD defence Annelotte Janse: The pursuit of ‘white security’

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Studying For A PhD In The Netherlands: The Basics

Dutch universities offer a great environment students looking for a PhD In The Netherlands, well-resourced labs and libraries, a forward-looking research culture, favourable financial arrangements, and international colleagues.

Only the 14 institutions in the universiteit (WO) sector offer doctorates; a hogeschool is a university of applied sciences, analogous to the old British polytechnic system. However, many hogescholen offer doctorates in collaboration with universities and industry partners: for example, the HAN Automotive Institute at Hogeschool Arnhem en Nijmegen. There are also frequently doctoral posts offered by independent research institutes, again in partnership with universities.

A PhD In The Netherlands

A Dutch PhD involves carrying out rigorous, supervised research for four full years. Most programmes are individual research-based, but professional doctorates (such as Professional Doctorates in Engineering and Medicine) are also possible.

The final output is a dissertation, which candidates must defend before a panel of academic judges, and present in a public lecture at the end of their studies (the promovendus lecture).

An MA, MPhil or MSc is usually required as a prerequisite. Like UK Masters degrees, Dutch Masters programmes normally run for one year, although some are considerably longer. Prospective PhD students need to submit their credentials for vetting to the government agency Nuffic (see Resources).

Some programmes require or offer admission via examination. These procedures differ from university to university and programme to programme; details are often quite hard to find! Typically at least some of the exams are in Dutch only (even for programmes taught and examined in English…)

Language and living.

The Dutch language is not needed for all PhD programmes, but is a prerequisite for many and always an asset. Many universities require students to pass the Nederlands Tweede Taal (NT2) exam to prove their proficiency. The exam is managed by DUO (see Resources); classes are available through universities or privately.

EU students do not require a student visa, but may need to have certain paperwork certified and/or translated (for example, your birth certificate) and submit this to receive permission to remain in the Netherlands while studying.

All students are required to show proof of private health insurance and must register their address with the city government (gemeente) after moving. Watch out: in most major Dutch cities housing shortages have led to illegal rentals. If a listing says you cannot register (inschrijven), it is illegal. The university can help you find affordable, legal housing.

There are tax advantages for Dutch PhD researchers recruited from outside the Netherlands (see Resources: the “30 per cent rule” can save you a substantial sum over the course of your working life in the Netherlands, so don’t miss out by accident).

Finding a PhD In The Netherlands.

Typically, applying for a PhD place in the Netherlands is not unlike applying for a job—and most places do include a salary. Typically places are listed on the central register for academic posts, Academic Transfer (see Resources).

It is also possible to make a direct approach to an academic who works in your desired research area. However, unless your approach involves asking to join an existing or proposed funded project, you may not be offered research funding. That said, PhD costs for self-funded students are lower in the Netherlands than in some other countries, so this route may appeal to some.

Academic Transfer

Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO) – DUO administers student funding and state exams, including the NT2 Dutch language exam.

Finsens Tax Experts (2013) “ The Dutch 30 percent ruling explained ”

HAN Automotive Institute

This programme provides an example of a collaborative PhD programme via a hogeschool.

Nuffic vets foreign academic qualifications, and also administers certain fellowships aimed at funding highly qualified overseas students.

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27th July 2023 at 6:36 am

Useful guide for aspiring PhD students in the Netherlands. It would be great if you could share some insights into the application process, including tips for writing a strong research proposal and finding potential supervisors. Thanks!

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PhD research

PhD research is at the heart of what we do as a University. Around 2000 PhD candidates are involved in research and education at the UvA and around 400 doctorates are conferred each year. Two-thirds of these are in the Sciences or Medicine.

PhD vacancies

Getting your PhD at the UvA

UvA Staff Housing

The guide to doing your PhD at the UvA brings together all kinds of information about the PhD process, from the regulations and different steps in the process to terms of employment and facilities you can make use of as a PhD candidate.

Doctoral programme: from admission to completion

Documents and forms, phd contact information, central phd council, cookie consent.

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PhD programmes at EUR

From award winning scientists to PhD students, everyone at Erasmus University Rotterdam is engaged in creating new knowledge. Pursue your career in research by starting a PhD track in our multidisciplinary, international setting with social relevance in mind. Where disciplines meet, knowledge is advanced.

From master to PhD researcher

Each year more than 300 academics complete their PhD at Erasmus University Rotterdam. All faculties have their own doctorate programme, which normally amounts to a four-year track during which you perform research on a particular subject under the supervision of a professor.

Completing a PhD programme is a requirement to become a university professor, researcher, or scientist in many fields. In the course of your PhD you will follow courses and workshops, and attend conferences, all geared towards enhancing your research and networking skills.

• How our research is organised

Excellent academic reputation

Erasmus University Rotterdam has an excellent academic reputation and maintains a high position in international rankings. According to the QS ranking, the EUR scores the best in the field of Accounting and Finance and Business and Management. The University also ranks high in many different areas. 

• View position of EUR in rankings

Facilities for PhD students

There is a wide range of training possibilities for employees within Erasmus University Rotterdam. The training courses and programmes are given in the  Training and Development Platform , TOP. In addition to coordinating the range of training courses with other universities, This platform is where all practical, substantive and innovative activities relating to training and development take place. Three courses are specifically offered for PhD employees;  Stress management ,  Lab of life: Work-Life Balance  and The art of change .

Furthermore, EUR also offers PhD candidates guidance and counseling, for example by offering the services of a PhD psychologist.

More about EUR

Incoming international staff.

IDEA Center

Erasmus Sustainability Hub

Meet our PhD students

Weys qaran – public administration.

• "Contributing to knowledge that might improve the labour market positions of these vulnerable groups is really motivating"

Georgia Antonopoulou – Law

• Research on business courts

Andrea Reina Tamayo – Psychology

• "There aren’t many studies of work engagement at the moment level. It’s something quite ‘out of the box.’"

Riccardo Valboni - Business & Management

• Strategic management and entrepreneurship

What Makes Them Tick? Pieter van den Heede about his research on WWII and games

PhD in the Spotlight: Emma van Gelder

Siri Driessen about her research on war memorial sites

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• Duration: @duration

PhD at the School of Business & Economics

Most of the PhD candidates, internally or externally paid, are employed by the school. Only the part time- and scholarship PhD candidates are not employed.

Our mission is to attract highly motivated, talented PhD candidates to further cultivate their talents through extensive supervision, by welcoming them in an international, open and inspiring environment where knowledge exchange and research cooperation are highly stimulated, and by providing a safe, informal and friendly atmosphere. Your supervisor will help you draw up a training and guidance plan at the start of the project, and guide you in planning your research dissemination activities and seminars at international conferences and at other academic institutions.

Being a member of SBE gives you the opportunity to:

• receive high level course work with leading international scholars at the  Tinbergen Institute ,  Amsterdam Business Research Institute , and/or Business Data Science ;
• be involved in research and social activities, like seminars, workshops, social gatherings;
• be introduced in numerous networks, in and outside the Netherlands;
• have a research budget (for conferences, research visits and /or other research costs);
• gain experience in teaching.

Research at SBE

In recent decades, inequality in the world has been increasing. Governance for Society looks at the underlying causes of inequality and how they relate to differences between regions, between urban and rural areas, and between educational levels. For example, Professor of Policy Evaluation Bas van der Klaauw focuses his research on economic inequality. What makes someone successful? And to what extent does education play a role in this?

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Training programme

The PhD candidates of the School of Business and Economics receive training at three graduate schools. The PhD candidates in economics, econometrics or finance receive training at the Tinbergen Institute, and the PhD candidates in Business Administration and Operations Research receive training at the Amsterdam Business Research Institute. Furthermore, all the PhD candidates can take courses at Business Data Science

• Tinbergen Institute (TI)
• Amsterdam Business Research Institute (ABRI)
• Business Data Science (BDS)

PhD trajectory in Economics, Econometrics or Finance

If you are interested in a PhD trajectory in Economics, Econometrics or Finance, you have the following possibilities at the SBE:

Research Master + PhD programme (2+4 years): Economics, Econometrics or Finance

Candidates who are interested in a PhD in Economics, Econometrics or Finance can apply for the Research Master at  the Tinbergen Institute .

The Tinbergen Institute offers a graduate programme consisting of two years of intensive graduate coursework in the institute's Research Master programme (Mres) and four years of PhD thesis research. The Research Master programme in economics, econometrics, and finance, is an excellent preparation for PhD thesis research in these fields. The Mres programme is taught by the best researchers of the three economics departments participating in the institute (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and Erasmus University Rotterdam), and by internationally renowned guest lecturers. Students are carefully selected from a large international pool of applicants. Each year at most 30 students are admitted and thorough selection is part of the admission procedure. The Mres programme has been accredited by the Dutch and Flemish Accreditation Organisation for higher education (NVAO) and leads to a Master of Science in Economics degree.   PhD programme The PhD programme takes four years and leads to a PhD degree. These four years are primarily spent on writing research papers for the PhD thesis and on participation in international conferences, workshops, and seminars.   Currently, about 120 students are enrolled in our graduate programme. Roughly half of all students come from abroad; students have come from Europe, Asia, North-America, South-America, and Africa.    More information For more information and application procedures see  www.tinbergen.nl

4 year PhD programme on an externally funded project: Externally funded PhD positions

In addition to the annually PhD positions in Economics, Econometrics, Finance, and Business Administration, there are throughout the year specific project based PhD positions advertised separately on the vacancy pages. For current PhD-job-openings please check  vacancies .

Part time PhD programme: Part-time PhD in Economics

Candidates who wish to write a dissertation on a part-time basis are facilitated through supervision, access to the library and research seminars organized by the School. In some cases office space is provided as well.

Applicants are advised to write a short research proposal which fits in one of the research programmes of the School (for more information on our research see the  research portal  and the  departments ) and send this, together with a cv and motivation letter, to the potential supervisor. This is possible throughout the year. There is no application deadline.

If the potential supervisor is interested in supervising the research project, the proposal will be elaborated. When the research proposal is finished, the candidate can start her or his research. The candidate will receive a ‘VU-NET-ID’ which will give access to the library and an email-address. If needed a tailor made plan for education (up to 30ECTS) will be made in consultation with the supervisor and the Director of the Graduate School. The part time PhD student is required to pay a fee of €7,500 euro for the entire period. The fee will be used by the School to pay the courses at the  Tinbergen Institute , the  Amsterdam Business Research Institute , Business Data Science  and or other graduate schools.

Part time PhD students will not receive a salary or scholarship, and thus must be financially independent. Only candidates with a university master degree are eligible for this programme.

For questions, please contact Ina Putter ( [email protected] ). For information about the dedicated part-time PhD programme in Business and Management, please click  here

PhD trajectory in Business Administration

If you are interested in a PhD trajectory in Business Administration, you have the following possibilities at the SBE:

4 year PhD programme on an Internally funded project: Annually open competition PhD positions

The ABRI PhD Program in Business and Management will provide you with a wealth of opportunities to engage in impactful research that will advance our understanding of business and society.

The ABRI PhD Program in Business and Management is a challenging program that will help you leverage your talent for doing research. Our program, along with the mentorship of a dedicated supervisory team, will support your development into a leading scholar, teacher, and influential thinker in international business and management research. During the 4-year rigorous training trajectory, you will acquire the academic foundations of business and management research, learn theoretical knowledge and methodological skills for conducting independent research in your field of choice, and develop 3+ academic papers that will form the body of your PhD dissertation. Through this PhD program in Business and Management we support you in:

• Learning to conduct high quality research
• Publishing research in international peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Becoming a valuable member of, and a contributor to a vibrant academic community

The PhD program in Business and Management at a glance:

• Start date: September
• Application opens in October, deadline is early January
• Duration: 4 years
• The PhD in Business and Management is a full-time program
• Most courses and training activities will take place at the campus of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (during Covid also online)
• Fully-funded PhD positions (including a generous salary and financial support for conferences, international research visits, data collection and other research expenses) are available on a competitive basis

View all admission requirements, costs & practical information  

Part time PhD programme: Part-time PhD in Business and Management

The Amsterdam Business Research Institute ( ABRI ) offers a part-time PhD programme for management practitioners. This programme supports executives and management professionals with a relevant background in conducting PhD-level research, and facilitates them in matching their professional experience with excellent academic insights. 

ABRI’s part-time PhD programme offers a conveniently structured trajectory, intensive academic and mentoring support, access to VU Amsterdam facilities, a great research community, a professional and innovative environment and an extensive array of enrichment activities. For more information and application details, please visit  the programme’s webpage .

With the part-time PhD programme, ABRI aims to support business leaders in:

• Leveraging their expertise for the creation of innovative business concepts
• Leveraging existing research findings into a new integrated knowledge
• Publishing their work in international business and scientific journals
• Becoming part of a stimulating academic community

What makes ABRI’s part-time PhD programme a great choice?

• Teaching and supervision by internationally renowned professors
• Research support from VU research centres specialising in different business topics (e.g., servant leadership and professional services)
• A unique programme design, focused on a sequential development of academic research papers
• Intellectually stimulating research community
• Excellent location and facilities
• A module-based programme enabling participation of highly-mobile and international participants

Unique characteristics of the programme

• Each programme year follows a cycle of research paper development
• The learning process is deliberately divided into the six sequential modules
• Attainable milestones are set to allow working professionals to stay on track
• The focus on developing academic writing skills enables participants to publish their research work in international peer-reviewed journals

PhD policy and facilities

Hora Finita

Hora Finita is the PhD tracking system of VU Amsterdam. All processes related to the PhD trajectory, from the admission to the trajectory to the submission of the dissertation, run through this system. PhD candidates are registered in Hora Finita within the 3 months (external PhD candidates within the first year and at minimum 2 years before the completion of the dissertation) by the research policy officer. PhD candidates and their supervisors have access to Hora Finita with their vunet-id.

Training and Supervision Plan

To be formally admitted to a PhD trajectory at the VU, the PhD candidate and supervisors fill out the Training and Supervision Plan ( TSP ). This TSP should be created within the first three months of a project, except for the PhD candidates of the ABRI Part-time PhD program in Business who will fill out the TSP after the 1 st year when the supervisory team is appointed. When the TSP is completed, it will be sent to the PhD candidate advisor for approval. When the plan is approved, the plan will be uploaded in Hora Finita. A PhD candidate cannot be formally admitted to a PhD trajectory without an approved TSP and a PhD cannot be completed without a fulfilled TSP. The TSP consists of the following items:

1 Research Proposal and work plan

Every PhD candidate works with a feasible research proposal as of the start of the PhD (3-year trajectories) or within the 1st year (other trajectories), including a realistic work plan. It should be updated over time to make sure that at each moment a candidate has a feasible plan to complete within a mutually agreed time-frame.

PhD students who are employed at SBE have a teaching obligation because it is important for their (academic) career to gain teaching experience. Regular PhD candidates have a teaching load between 0.1 and 0.2 fte. Departments have flexibility to spread teaching load across candidates and across periods. Supervisors and department heads need to ensure that PhD candidates do not teach more than expected.

SBE has set up a teaching skills course, the so-called mini-BKO, for the internal PhD candidates, to give them the skills to teach and supervise theses. External and Scholarship PhD candidates do not teach and are therefore not invited to take the course. This teaching course consists of 3 modules: Module 1 (basic teaching skills) takes place in September, Module 2 (advanced teaching skills) takes place in January and Module 3 (thesis supervision) takes place in March / April. Once a PhD has completed all modules, he / she will receive 4 ECTS.

All PhD candidates at the VU need to receive training at PhD level of a total size of at least 30 ECTS. PhD candidates who have completed a research master's degree in a relevant direction are exempt from following training. All PhD candidates of SBE are affiliated with the Tinbergen Institute or ABRI where they can take the courses to fulfil the requirement of 30 ECTS. It is also possible to take courses at other graduate schools within or outside the VU. An overview of all courses offered at the VU is available on the VU website . In consultation with the supervisors and upon approval of the PhD candidate advisor, a training plan is drawn up at the start of the PhD process. The following components are in any case compulsory for all PhD candidates:

• Research integrity course/module
• Research data management course/module
• Research methods course (free to choose)
• At least 1 presentation at a conference
• Transferable skills course/module
• How to manage my PhD project-workshops/modules

The remaining parts of the training program should form a complete and coherent whole. Only in exceptional cases PhD candidates are exempted from training.

4 Supervision

Every PhD candidate has at least 2 supervisors. We expect supervisors to be able to be closely involved and co-responsible for a project (e.g. contact every two weeks). Supervisors should support and mentor candidates, make sure that candidates have a feasible (high-level) planning throughout the trajectory, and that supervisor and candidate mutually agree on expectations that are aligned with career prospects. Every PhD supervisor at SBE is expected to take the 'supervising PhD students' course at the VU. This will be monitored by the Research Office and the HRM department.

PhD candidates and supervisors should explicate expectations on content, process, and ambitions, which may be tailored to domain, topic, and candidate. The PhD candidate and the supervisors should discuss expectations at the start of the PhD and continue the conversation. Expectations may differ between candidates who aim for a position outside academia and candidates who want to be competitive at the academic job market. The role of supervisors could also become part of conversations as part of monitoring of progress.

When the TSP is completed, the plan will be sent to the PhD candidate advisor for approval. When the plan is approved, the PhD candidate can upload the plan in Hora Finita. A PhD cannot be completed without an approved and fulfilled TSP.

Monitoring and support

SBE has two PhD candidate advisors, one for the TI PhD candidates ( Dr. Bjoern Bruegemann ) and one for the ABRI PhD candidates ( Prof. Maria Tims ). These PhD candidate advisors meet with all PhD candidates at least once a year in which progress and other PhD-related issues are discussed. In these meetings light-weight progress reports may be used. In case of concerns, the supervisor(s) should be included in the conversation.

In addition, PhD candidates can make an appointment with the confidential counsellor of the faculty, Ina Putter, to discuss other issues that may occur. Depending on the issues, she may refer the PhD candidate to other persons such as the confidential counsellor for academic integrity issues, the confidential counsellor for VU personnel, or the PhD psychologist .

Annual Introduction Meeting

In October SBE organizes an introduction meeting for all the new PhD candidates. During this meeting, the PhD candidates receive information about their PhD programme from the two graduate schools (ABRI and TI) and about the facilities offered by the faculty. The meeting will be concluded with drinks where PhD candidates can get to know each other.

Within one year after the start of the PhD trajectory the PhD will be evaluated by the supervisors in a Go/No Go interview (coinciding with the first yearly evaluation), based on a progress report of the PhD candidate and the (updated) TSP and advice of the PhD candidate advisor.

In this interview, the supervisor will discuss the work of the PhD, his/her performance, the atmosphere at work, and working conditions. Furthermore, agreements will be made concerning the quality and execution of research and other tasks.

Plagiarism scan

VU and SBE mandate at least one plagiarism scan for education and prevention purposes. PhD candidates who started after September 2022, need to scan their first academic product (article or chapter) using the dedicated VU-licensed plagiarism software. Results have to be discussed with PhD supervisors, and conclusions are to be shared with SBE’s Research Office and uploaded in Hora Finita. In case of serious concerns, performance of another scan is mandatory before the thesis is finished. In future, this policy may be extended to the whole dissertation.

PhD community

A successful PhD project also depends on a supportive community. PhDs can find this among other PhD candidates in the graduate school as well as in the departments. Both ABRI and TI stimulate the development of collaborative relations. At SBE a PhD council has been installed in which the PhD candidates of the faculty are represented and who organizes academic and social events for all the PhD candidates of SBE. Furthermore all PhD candidates have access to the PhD community page at CANVAS.

PhD candidates who are employed at the School of Business and Economics have a research budget of €6,500. Full time PhD candidates with a scholarship for the China Scholarship Council have a research budget of €2,000. This budget is for traveling (in and outside the Netherlands for attending conferences, workshops, and summer schools, and for research visits at other universities), for literature, and other research activities. Scholarship PhD candidates who pay a fee of €5,000 per year via their scholarship have the same budget and facilities as the internal PhD candidates for research, conferences, and training.

PhD candidates who are employed on an NWO grant have a benchfee of €5,000 for research and traveling. When the €5,000 is spent, they have another €1,500 research budget of SBE.

Dissertation printing costs

PhD theses of TI students are published in the Tinbergen Institute Research Series. For this purpose, TI has made an agreement with Rozenberg Publishers in Amsterdam. All PhD candidates of TI are supposed to publish their thesis in these series, provided that they finish their thesis within two years of the end of their TI appointment. When the thesis is published in these series, TI pays the printing costs of the thesis up to a maximum of €1.250.

PhD theses of ABRI PhD candidates are published in the ABRI Dissertation Series. For this purpose, ABRI will give the PhD candidate the ABRI logo and format to put on the back cover and the spine of the book. All PhD candidates of ABRI are supposed to publish their thesis in these series. SBE pays the printing costs up to a maximum of €1.250.

Tuition fees external and part-time PhD candidates

For the scholarship PhD candidates who receive a scholarship from their government and for whom the government is willing to pay a tuition fee, SBE asks a tuition fee of €5,000 per year. This tuition fee covers the following costs for 4 years: doctoral education, research costs, dissertation printing, vunet-id, and hospitality agreement, including access to office space and IT facilities.

External PhD candidates who are doing a part-time PhD at SBE (outside the ABRI part-time PhD programme) pay a tuition fee of €7,500 for the entire PhD trajectory (to cover costs for vunet-id, doctoral education and supervision): €2500 per year for the 1 st and 2 nd year, and €1250 per year for the 3 rd and 4 th year. The maximum duration of external PhD trajectories is 10 years.

The external PhD candidates who are doing the part-time PhD programme for business leaders at ABRI are required to pay €20000-€25000 in case of a 4-year trajectory including the costs of modules, individual supervision, access to ABRI research courses (optional) and summer schools, registration, food catering and access to VU facilities and services.

Doctorate regulations

In the Doctorate Regulations all matters concerning your thesis and defense are described in detail.

Doctorate Regulations (PDF)

Ius Promovendi 

According to the Doctorate Regulations article 9.3 a dean may grant ius promovendi to an associate professor of their own faculty. The dean evaluates the competence of the staff member concerned in relation to the relevant criteria set by the College of Deans. The criteria are:

• the Associate Professor is a good researcher, as demonstrated by multiple peer-reviewed publications of excellent scientific quality. In particular, the associate professor meets the publications criteria as set for professor 2 and associate professor 1 .
• The Associate Professor is a good supervisor, attested by at least two successfully completed PhD theses that he / she has supervised in the formal role of co-supervisor.

If an associate professor meets these criteria, he/she can submit an application for ius promovendi to the dean via Ina Putter ( [email protected] ). 

PhD Council

The SBE PhD council consists of a small number of PhD candidates from ABRI and Tinbergen research institutes at the School of Business and Economics at the VU and aims to fulfill three core functions:

• Communication point to the SBE PhD community regarding any issues that occur during their PhD trajectory
• Representation of both ABRI and Tinbergen PhD community’s interests to the faculty board
• Community building among SBE PhDs

Type of activities we organize

Typically PhD council will hold three events a year:

• The start of the academic year event around September/October to meet the new PhDs and gather PhDs’ input to set new goals for the PhD council
• The midyear event around January/February to track the progress on the goals set for the year and check in with the SBE PhD community
• The end of the year event around June to update on the state of the goals set at the beginning of the year and close off the year on a positive note with the SBE PhD community

The council is always open to hear any concerns or ideas from the PhD community via email [email protected]

Introduction of the current Council members

Chantal Schouwenaar I am a PhD candidate at the department Ethics, Governance and Society, in the Health Economics group. My PhD topic is the economic perspective on the needs and preferences of older people (with dementia) regarding ageing-at-home versus in institutional long-term care. I'm a Food Scientist from my bachelor's degree in Delft and a Health Scientist from my master's degree here at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. In my free time I enjoy dining with friends, keeping my cat happy and hiking. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or ideas you may have!

Jet Vink I am a PhD candidate at the Management and Organization department, strategy group. From a background in design, bachelor of Industrial Design at the TU Eindhoven, I made the transition to business a few years ago. Within my PhD research I examine the ways in which power interactions and leadership behaviour shape the interdependence within business ecosystems to influence the evolution and performance. Complementing the mental exercise of research, I try to maintain some connection to working and creating with my hands. Recently I have focused on smithing (I forged my own kitchen knife) and ceramics. Additionally, you will not only find me on the dance floor for my research, but also to enjoy some salsa dancing.

Eva Mynott I am a PhD candidate at the Finance Department. My research interests are in the behavioral side of asset pricing, particularly in investor behavior in financial markets. I study the presence of extrapolative beliefs in stock and bond markets and whether these beliefs vary over time and across assets. Prior to my PhD, I obtained an MPhil degree in Economics from the Tinbergen Institute and an MSc degree in Quantitative Risk Management from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. In my spare time I am a ClassPass (sports) and Duolingo (languages) addict, but I also love to cook and have long dinners with friends.

Teresa Laguna Without a doubt, COVID has left a mark in our lives in a good and a bad way. For me, one of these good experiences is associated with the possibility to start a PhD at ABRI in the marketing department. To make this possible, I received the Fund for the Development of Human Resources (FIDERH) administered by the Bank of Mexico. At ABRI, under prof. dr. Van Herk’s guidance, I will investigate "soft" and "hard" determinants affecting foreign direct investments (FDI) attraction through a study on nation branding across developing and developed countries. I have many hobbies like practicing classic ballet or going to the movies, as well as I really enjoy being part of the PhD council. For me it is a great opportunity to share ideas and work on improving students’ facilities during their stay at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Jack Fitzgerald I am a PhD candidate in economics in the Ethics, Governance, and Society department's Behavioral Social Sciences cluster. My PhD is focused on behavioral determinants of corporate compliance, but I have broader interests in applied econometrics and research methodology. I received my bachelor's in economics from Florida State University and my MSc in economics from the University of Amsterdam. Outside of work, I enjoy tutoring and boxing classes.

Lei Chen I am a PhD candidate at the Department of Management and Organization. My research focuses on the antecedents and outcomes of overconfidence, especially CEO overconfidence, and how CEO overconfidence affects other members of top management teams. Since “C-suits” are difficult to interview and survey, I mainly use text data to capture and measure CEO overconfidence.  I am also interested in using audiovisual data to explore the effect of overconfidence. Before my PhD, I obtained a master's degree in accounting and bachelor's degree in logistics and finance. In my spare time, I love sports, especially basketball. I also love cooking. Feel free to join me if you are also interested in sports and good food!

Vedika Lal I am a PhD Candidate at the department of Management and Organisation. My research focuses on gender differences in leadership. Specifically, I examine factors that can dismantle existing gender-leader stereotypes through both qualitative and quantitative research. Prior to this, I did my research master's in social psychology and was subsequently a junior lecturer at the psychology department of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Next to my PhD, I write for This Is Gendered , a feminist encyclopaedia, enjoy doing yoga and making good use of my Cineville pass and Museumkaart.

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• Living in the Netherlands – A Guide for PhD Students

Written by Chris Banyard

Dutch universities are welcoming and prestigious institutions, perfect for international students looking to study a PhD . The Netherlands offers a relaxing lifestyle, unique attractions and rich heritage for you to explore and perhaps even research during your doctorate.

This guide provides useful information for students thinking of moving to the Netherlands for doctoral study. It covers accommodation options, living costs, work permits, transport and banking.

On this page

Student life.

The Netherlands is a popular destination for PhD students, and has a strong international student population. There’s plenty to discover during a Dutch doctorate as you explore the country’s café culture, canals and excellent nightlife.

Culture and tourism

As one of the most progressive and liberal countries in the world, the relaxed and welcoming culture of the Netherlands is an attractive proposition for international students. You may like to visit the museums, galleries and theatres celebrating the arts and music of the Dutch Golden Age, with work from the likes of Rembrandt, Vermeer, and van Gogh. The Netherlands’ historic and cosmopolitan cities prove popular with visitors, with Amsterdam in particular receiving many tourists (and not all are on hen parties or stag dos!).

Sport and leisure

Perhaps the best way to explore the Netherlands and experience Dutch cities, lowland countryside, coast, windmills, and tulip fields is by bike. Cycling is huge in the Netherlands and is perhaps the nation’s favourite pastime. Football is also popular, and many of the world’s best players and teams hail from the country. There are also lots of Dutch festivals to experience throughout the year, including the famous Scheveningen New Year’s Dive, Amsterdam Light Festival, Tulip Festival, and King’s Day.

Food and drink

As you’d expect from the nation that turned carrots orange (Google it), agriculture, seasonal foods and sustainability are key parts of Dutch cuisine. With fresh fish from the North Sea, Limburg asparagus, Texel lamb, and seasonal fruit from North Brabant (and not forgetting the famous array of Dutch cheeses like Gouda and Edam). You can experience all of this cuisine at the world-renowned restaurants of the Veluwe region. The Netherlands also produces the internationally-distributed Heineken, Grolsch and Amstel beers.

Find a PhD in the Netherlands

Ready to start browsing some current PhD opportunities in the Netherlands ? Alternatively, you can look at our other guides to PhD study abroad .

Accommodation

Most housing in the Netherlands is privately rented – there is not a strong tradition of university-managed accommodation (although it may be available in rare circumstances).

Due to this, and the high population density of the nation, you may find it more challenging to find student accommodation in the Netherlands. However, your university’s international office will be able to provide assistance in your search for housing.

Accommodation types

Types of available student accommodation in the Netherlands include:

• Private renting – most students will live in a privately-rented shared student flat or apartment
• University accommodation – similar to UK halls of residence, this form of accommodation is very limited and only available at some universities

Accommodation costs

The cost of accommodation in the Netherlands is marginally higher than in the UK. You can expect to pay around €400-600 per month for rented housing (and more if you have university housing). This can vary depending on your city of residence, and the size / location of your accommodation.

Living costs

The overall cost of living for a PhD student in the Netherlands is somewhat higher than in the UK, but similar to neighbouring countries of Western Europe.

You can expect to pay around €900 per month in addition to your rent for general living costs.

Prices in the Netherlands

The following table gives an indication of prices for some common expenses during a PhD in the Netherlands:

Working during your PhD

Most PhD students in the Netherlands are employed by their universities, and therefore there may not be much scope for additional work. Nonetheless, in some cases you may wish to undertake additional employment.

EU / EEA / Swiss students are free to work alongside PhD studies without restrictions. Other international students will require a work permit from the UWV , and are permitted to work a maximum of 16 hours per week and full-time during the summer.

All students studying in the Netherlands who are employed are required to have basic health insurance, a social security number (BSN) and pay Dutch income tax.

Employment contracts with your university

Some structured PhD programmes in the Netherlands include an internship component as part of your studies – in these cases, you do not require the aforementioned documentation (although there will need to be a signed internship agreement).

Additionally, most students are employed by their university as a PhD researcher. Therefore, you may be required to comply with the work-related documentation and procedures. Your university’s international office will be able to provide more assistance with this.

The currency of the Netherlands is the Euro (€ or EUR). As part of the EU, this is the same currency used by all neighbouring countries making movement around Europe easier.

There are several banks to choose from in the Netherlands, some of which are digital or mobile specific, and most will provide student accounts for international PhD students.

To set up a bank account, you will normally need to visit your desired branch in person. You are usually required to bring the following:

• your BSN (social security) number
• a valid passport or identity card
• proof of Dutch address (e.g. a contract or bill)
• a valid residency permit (if you are a non-EU / EEA / Swiss student)

For more information about banking in the Netherlands, you should contact your university’s international office.

Getting around in the Netherlands is made easy by the country’s developed and widespread public transport networks. These travel options are ideal for PhD students, and many will offer discounts for holders of the Dutch OV-chipkaart travel card.

Rail travel

With an extensive, comfortable and quick rail network connecting Dutch cities to each other, and to other major cities of Europe, the Netherlands’ train network is ideal for most long-distance journeys.

The major airport in the Netherlands is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, but the nation has four other airports based at the other major cities. Additionally, these airports are situated with easy access from their nearby towns and cities.

Inner-city travel

The Netherlands is famous for its bikes and its cyclists. You will find most people travel around in this way, making use of the extensive networks of cycling lanes and cycle-friendly traffic. And, if two-wheels aren’t for you, most cities have handy bus networks. The Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam also operate tram services (the latter two cities also have a city-wide metro services).

Want More Updates & Advice?

The Netherlands can be an affordable place for PhD study. The page will take you through all the information you need about PhD funding in the Netherlands.

Interested in studying your PhD in the Netherlands? In this guide we've collected some of the global university rankings to help you decide the best university to study at in Holland.

Read about the language requirements and recognised tests for PhD study at Dutch-speaking universities in the Netherlands and elsewhere..

Holland and the Netherlands are a welcoming destination for international PhD study with historic and globally-renowned research universities. Our guide covers admissions, visas, fees and funding.

Here's what you need to know about applying for a Masters or PhD at one of the Netherlands' excellent universities, with advice on applications, fees, funding and arrivals.

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PhD students at a distance

In the Netherlands, PhD students ( promovendi ) are formally considered academic researchers rather than students.

If you are independently funded (research time made available by your employer, your own funds, student loan, grant from your home country etc.), you can apply directly to the "Graduate Programme in Mathematics and Statistics" to become a PhD student. For this, you use the KdVI-PhD Application Form at the bottom of this page.

Target group

Typically, young mathematicians (recent MSc), working at an institute of higher education, who wish to pursue a PhD at the KdV Institute. However, the programme is in principle open to mathematicians with an MSc degree.

Concept of the programme

Candidates do their PhD studies and preparatory work mostly at their home institution. They will visit the KdVI for a period of two to three months per year to consult with their advisor. KdVI will in general not be able to provide funding for these visits. It is possible, and it is encouraged by KdVI, that part of the daily guidance is done by qualified members of the home institution.

Requirements

You need a Dutch Masters degree in mathematics or stochastics, or a degree in an adjacent field with sufficient mathematics. Foreign degrees which are equivalent to such a Dutch master degree also give access to the PhD Programme. The Doctorate Board of the University decides whether a foreign degree is equivalent to a Dutch one.

Tuition fee

The tuition fee is € 1000 euro per year. Students will get a guest status at the KdVI, which includes electronic library facilities. During their visits to KdVI they will have a desk, library and computer facilities. Note that PhD students do not have student status in the Netherlands! In special cases the department may waive the fee.

The first year and the academic mentor

Each accepted student will be assigned an academic mentor. The mentor will give the student instructions about the work and studies he/she should do in the first year. The mentor will also play a crucial role in the evaluation. In consultation with the student, the mentor will look for a PhD-supervisor. The mentor is not to be confused with a PhD thesis supervisor (even though the mentor can become the PhD thesis supervisor).

After the first year, the PhD student will be evaluated by the mentor and the director of KdVI. The evaluation is based on the general performance of the student. A student can only be positively evaluated if he or she has found a PhD thesis supervisor or topic. Positively evaluated PhD students are accepted for three more years.

Years Two to Four

After the evaluation, the main emphasis is on the independent research in the PhD thesis project. To get an impression of possible PhD thesis topics, you can look in UvA Dare. See the link below.

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PhD Programme

Psychology Research Institute / PsyRes

• Application and Admission

Project & activities

During your PhD appointment, which typically lasts three to four years, your primary focus will be conducting research for your doctoral dissertation. However, we also encourage you to engage in other activities such as taking courses offered by the PhD Training Programme, teaching undergraduate courses in the Departments of Social Sciences, and actively participating in the research community, both within PsyRes and at national and international levels.

Close-knit community

As a PhD student at PsyRes, you will be part of a vibrant community that values your growth and development. We offer coaching, training, and a strong PhD Community to support you throughout your doctoral journey. We encourage our students to publish their research early in their careers, enhancing their academic profiles and fostering their future career prospects.

Programme Groups

You will be assigned to a programme group where you will conduct your research and be immersed in a supportive and collaborative environment. We are excited about newly interest in pursuing a PhD at the University of Amsterdam and look forward to welcoming postgraduate students to our dynamic academic community at PsyRes.

The Brain and Cognition programme aims to gain understanding of cognitive phenomena based on neurobiological principles, and has a focus on using cognitive research to understand clinical phenomena and to develop assessment tools or interventions for specific patient groups. The focus is thus on both typical and atypical brain functioning and cognition. The group has a relatively large number of PhD students and therefore there is ample possibility for interaction with other PhD students, both for research purposes (e.g. asking questions about methods or complicated analysis) as well as for social purposes. Interaction with other members of the program group, i.e. post docs and staff members, is actively encouraged through weekly program group meetings in which plenary talks are given by members of the group from all levels.

There is a strong research-oriented atmosphere and new experimental projects are generally discussed in smaller group settings to foster discussion and collaboration. PhD students are supervised by at least two staff members (promotor and co-promotor) and often part of the Amsterdam Graduate Network, a network organization with PhD students from both the UvA and the VU (in case the PhD project is mostly on the nature of human cognition and its neural basis) by a graduate school of choice (in case the PhD project is in the domain of clinical neuropsychology).

Should you have any questions about pursuing a PhD in the Brain and Cognition group, please click on the link below.

PhD students in Clinical Psychology are always supervised by at least two staff members (promotor and co-promotor) and participate in the teaching programme of the School of Experimental Psychopathology (EPP).

Individual studies of PhD students are generally discussed in small group settings. In these meetings, not only their own studies are discussed, but also major articles in the field. Further, PhD students are encouraged to present their work on international conferences.

Should you have any questions about pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology, please click on the link below.

The research group consists tenured staff and about 50% PhD students and postdocs. PhD students are supervised by at least two staff members and become a member of a lab group in which research is discussed in a constructive atmosphere. The interaction between PhD students and other staff is encouraged actively which results in considerable cross-fertilization between several themes of the program.

PhD students and their supervisors prepare a training program at the start of the PhD project, which includes taking courses, for example those offered by research schools like EPP or IOPS. Although PhD students are recruited on the basis of a research proposal, students are encouraged actively to make an independent contribution, especially during the final stages of the project. The progress made by PhD students and postdocs is continuously monitored by their supervisors, and on a yearly basis by the research institute.

Should you have any questions about pursuing a PhD in Developmental Psychology, please click on the link below.

Many topics are initiated by PhD students, who fulfill an important role in our research culture. Fortunately, in the last years the number of PhD students increased due to NWO funding. Generally, PhD students are supervised by at least two staff members.

Each month plenary talks are held. The objective of the internal collaboration is to increase the quality and productivity of the group and to improve the unity of the research. Finally, PhD students participate in activities organised by the  Interuniversity Graduate School of Psychometrics and Sociometrics (IOPS) , the institute for the advanced dissertation training in psychometrics and sociometrics.

Should you have any questions about pursuing a PhD in Psychological Methods, please click on the link below.

The Social Psychology research group has a relatively large group of PhD students, which generates a research-oriented atmosphere. Individual experiments are generally discussed in small group settings; these discussions focus on design and measurement issues.

PhD’s are always supervised by at least two staff members and are encouraged to participate in the summer school of the European Association of Experimental Social Psychology (EAESP), and to present their work not only at international conferences but also in smaller scale, more informal, meetings such as those of ESCON (European Social Cognition Network) or CERE (Consortium of European Researchers on Emotions); and in incidental small group meetings sponsored by the EAESP (European Association of Experimental Social Psychology.

Should you have any questions about pursuing a PhD in Social Psychology, please click on the link below.

PhD students in Work and Organizational Psychology work in a cooperative, research-oriented environment and are specializing on various topics in W&O psychology. PhD-students in our group are always supervised by at least two staff members (promotor and co-promotor), with whom PhD-students together actively discuss research ideas and papers. PhD-students also participate in the Work and Organizational Psychology teaching programme in the Bachelor and Master.

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Sifan Hassan wins women’s marathon at Paris Olympics after trading elbows with Tigst Assefa

Sifan Hassan, of the Netherlands, celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the gold medal at the end of the women’s marathon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Gold medalist Sifan Hassan, of the Netherlands, center, silver medalist Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, left, and bronze medalist Kenya’s Hellen Obiri, right, pose for photographers during the victory ceremony at the end of the women’s marathon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Sifan Hassan, of the Netherlands, reacts after crossing the finish line to win the gold medal at the end of the women’s marathon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Sifan Hassan, of the Netherlands, right, and Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, left, approach the finish line at the end of the women’s marathon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Sifan Hassan, of the Netherlands, celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the gold medal at the end of the women’s marathon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Sifan Hassan, of the Netherlands,left, and Nepal’s Shantoshi Shrestha, right, celebrate after crossing the finish line at the end of the women’s marathon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the silver medal at the end of the women’s marathon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Dakotah Lindwurm, of the United States, celebrates after crossing the finish line at the end of the women’s marathon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Kenya’s Hellen Obiri celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the bronze medal at the end of the women’s marathon competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

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PARIS (AP) — Nobody will ever accuse Sifan Hassan of taking the easy route at the Olympics .

Heading into the last 150 meters of her 10-day Olympics odyssey that spanned three events and 38 miles (62 kilometers), the Netherlands’ runner traded elbows with Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia, and then sprinted by her to win the last track event of the Paris Games.

Hassan added gold to the bronze medals she won in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters.

“I feel like I am dreaming. At the end, I thought, ‘This is just a 100-meter sprint. Come on, Sifan. One more. Just feel it,’” Hassan said. “Every step I challenged myself, and now I am so grateful.”

Hassan raised her hands and yelled as she crossed the line, before wrapping the Dutch flag around her head. Then, taking in the enormity of her win, Hassan plunged her head in her hands and appeared to weep with joy.

The finish had everything: suspense, speed, grit and feistiness, all against the stunning backdrop of a golden dome glittering under the morning sun.

Hassan, an Ethiopia native, finished in an Olympic record time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, 55 seconds. Assefa won silver, three seconds behind, and Kenya’s Hellen Obiri took the bronze.

The Ethiopian team lodged a protest to have Hassan disqualified for obstruction, but it was rejected by the Jury of Appeal. It looked as if Assefa was blocking Hassan before they traded elbows.

Hassan did not attend the post-race news conference, where Assefa said she would have won if Hassan hadn’t impeded her.

“I didn’t expect at that moment it would happen. Maybe at that moment, if she didn’t push me I would have the gold,” Assefa said through a translator. “But anyway, I’m so happy for her that she gets the gold medal.”

Assefa declined to specify if she asked for the protest or if it was the Ethiopian team on its own.

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“I can’t say anything, but she is a good athlete,” Assefa replied.

By simply completing the marathon, the 31-year-old Hassan ran more than 38 miles. She now has six Olympic medals. In Tokyo, Hassan won the 5,000 and 10,000 and finished third in the 1,500.

“She has shown the world that she can do everything,” Obiri said. “People say it’s impossible, but she’s done it. So I say ‘Big up’ for her.”

Obiri had tried to up the pace earlier, knowing she couldn’t take Hassan in a sprint.

“She is so strong,” Obiri said. “No way we could break her.”

Breaking from tradition, the women’s marathon was held on the final day of the Olympics instead of the men’s race.

Hassan used the same tactic in the hilly, 26.2-mile course as she does on the oval. She lingered behind the leaders for the bulk of the race before launching a late-race kick that will go down as one of the best the sport has seen.

As Hassan gathered to make her last pass, Assefa tried to block her path. Hassan moved to the inside around a bend.

Assefa tried to squeeze her against the barrier separating the course from the cheering fans. The runners traded elbows, then Hassan took off to victory.

Hassan’s legend started building three years ago at the Tokyo Games when she was tripped up in a heat of the 1,500 but scrambled to her feet to win the race. She then went on to claim the bronze.

She wasn’t as dominant over the past two years, in part because she was storing up for this feat.

After the 5,000 meters last Monday and the 10,000 meters on Friday, Hassan had roughly 35 hours to recover for the marathon.

She entered the Games looking to match Emil Zatopek’s performance from 1952, when the Czech runner swept the 5,000, 10,000 and the marathon at the Helsinki Games.

Hassan fell short, but she left a lasting impression.

“She’s inspired so many people,” said Obiri, a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 5,000 meters.

Sharon Lokedi of Kenya was fourth on Sunday, and defending champion Peres Jepchirchir , her compatriot, placed 15th.

After 21 miles (almost 34 kilometers), Jepchirchir started falling back. That’s when Hassan and Obiri joined Amane Beriso Shankule and Lokedi at the front.

Shankule dropped off the pace near the end, making it a four-way race for gold, which became three when Lokedi fell back on the approach to the finish opposite the gold-domed Invalides monument, site of French emperor Napoleon’s tomb.

The marathon route traced the footsteps of an historic march that took place during the French Revolution.

The Women’s March on Versailles in 1789 was organized by women in the marketplace of Paris as they protested the high price of bread, leading to their trek from Paris to Versailles.

Starting out from Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), the somewhat hilly route passed through the parks and forests. Runners took in landmarks such as Opéra Garnier and the Louvre museum.

About halfway through, they passed near the regal grounds of the Palace of Versailles — once the home of French royalty — before doubling back toward Paris.

AP National Writer Eddie Pells contributed.

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games