Where is a PhD offered?
Mar 03, 2010
In Holland, research is carried out by research universities, research institutes and by companies. Only the 14 research universities can award PhD-degrees. However, since other research institutes generally work in close collaboration with these universities, they can also provide positions to PhD candidates.
In addition to the standard PhD-degree, the three universities of technology also offer design and technological design programmes in a number of engineering fields. These consist of advanced study and a personal design assignment. Technological design programmes require two years of study to complete and graduates obtain the degree of ‘Professional Doctorate in Engineering (PDEng)’.
Research schools and graduate schools
Doing a PhD in Holland is a hands-on activity and involves little course work. PhD students start doing research from day one. This allows them to develop their own ideas and priorities in their research while having close contact with their supervisor. All PhD students are part of a graduate school or research school. These schools provide them with an inspiring research environment. They offer tailor-made study programmes, master classes, seminars and conferences.
In research schools, multiple research universities and research institutes join their forces and knowledge. At the level of a subject area universities and institutions work closely together in offering in-depth knowledge. Within a research school, you will meet PhD candidates and advanced researchers in your field from your own and other Dutch universities.
Graduate schools, by contrast, are organizations within universities. Like research schools, they provide challenging study and network environments. They can take different shapes. Some graduate schools are interdisciplinary, other graduate schools focus on a few or one discipline.
Each PhD student is assigned a supervisor who will provide daily guidance through the entire research period. Most often this supervisor will be an associate professor or a full professor.
For more information please download the PhD leaflet.