Funding sources, social security and the structure of the PhD journey. These are a few examples of issues international PhD candidates encounter when embarking on a doctorate in the Netherlands. Navigating them is not always straightforward. To provide clarity, Universities of the Netherlands (UNL) has published an information guide with important details for international PhD candidates who are starting, or considering, a doctorate in the Netherlands.
The reason behind the guide
In 2023, universities observed that international PhD candidates were not always sufficiently aware of the structure and conditions of the PhD trajectory in the Netherlands. The information guide was created to help candidates make a well-informed decision about pursuing a doctorate at a Dutch university, and to ensure that they encounter as few surprises as possible once their PhD trajectory begins.
Where to find the guide
The guide was developed in collaboration with the national interest group for and by PhD candidates ‘Promovendi Netwerk Nederland (PNN)’. The general version of the information guide is available on the UNL website. Each university will publish its own version, including references to its Doctoral Regulations and other relevant documents.