PhD training
Completing a PhD involves more than conducting research; it is also a time to develop academic and transferable skills. The combination of research abilities and personal skills will prepare you for a successful career beyond Utrecht University.
The PhD training programme aims to equip you with:
- Practical and methodological skills for collecting, analysing, presenting, and discussing research data, enabling you to produce independent and original scientific work;
- Discipline-specific knowledge to read, discuss and contribute to scientific literature in your field;
- Transferable skills (e.g., teaching, management, writing, presenting, teamwork, applying for grants) for pursuing an academic career or roles in other sectors;
- An understanding of open science principles, and the responsibilities of scientists towards society, particularly the obligation to conduct research with integrity.
According to Utrecht University’s Doctoral Degree Regulations, by the end of your PhD you should:
- Have made an original contribution to research of a quality that withstands peer review;
- Demonstrate the ability to independently apply academic methods in your discipline for developing, interpreting and implementing new knowledge;
- Possess substantial knowledge of principles and methods of international academic practice, theorisation, methodology, and study in your field;
- Be capable of designing and executing significant research projects to develop new knowledge;
- Be able to effectively pass on and communicate knowledge from your discipline;
- Exercise social responsibility in conducting and applying your research.
You must accumulate at least 5 European Credits (ECs) per full-time equivalent year of your research appointment, totalling at least 15 ECs for a 3-year appointment or 20 ECs for a 4-year appointment. If your PhD is part-time or of a different duration, you can calculate the credits proportionally. However, a minimum of 15 ECs is required for the GSLS Training Certificate. According to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) 1 credit = 28 hrs and 1.5 credit = 1 week.
- A minimum of 40% of the total credits must be from discipline-specific educational activities (e.g., courses, seminars, master classes, journal clubs, PhD retreats). These are provided by your PhD programme.
- You may attend courses from other programmes if there is room (priority is given to candidates within that programme). Please contact the relevant PhD programme for details.
- External training by other relevant institutions is also permitted but must be funded through your supervisor or research group, as the GSLS does not cover costs.
- A minimum of 20% of the total credits must be from general educational activities. These are available via the PhD Course Centre of the GSLS or Utrecht University (e.g., Development Guide including Career Services). The PhD Course Guide (pdf) offers an overview of available training ordered by the PhD Competence Model.
- A maximum of 20% of the total credits may come from symposia/conferences where you are an oral or poster presenter.
When you graduate as a PhD, you can request a GSLS Training Certificate. Also check compulsory training. You have the responsibility to subscribe for compulsory courses and provide course certificates when you apply for your doctoral graduation at Utrecht University.