Perhaps you already know that the university has 7 faculties, about 4,000 staff members and more than 20,000 students. But do you also know where the motto ‘Praesidium Libertatis’ comes from? Or what the Sweat Room is and where it is located? Do you know what current issues the university is occupied…

Perhaps you already know that the university has 7 faculties, about 4,000 staff members and more than 20,000 students. But do you also know where the motto ‘Praesidium Libertatis’ comes from? Or what the Sweat Room is and where it is located? Do you know what current issues the university is occupied…

Leiden University strives to accommodate young talent, which is why it does its best to create an inspiring environment for PhD candidates. With the University Training Programme for PhDs, we offer a degree programme that is both complete and challenging.

Communication

Your PhD studies culminate in a ceremony. The thesis defence is the most important part of the ceremony, and your supervisor or co-supervisor also delivers a eulogy about your work. Find out about the PhD ceremony and what is expected of you as a PhD candidate.

Human resources

Career development , Personal development

PhD candidates come in all shapes and sizes, from those with an appointment at the University to dual PhDs who have a job outside the University. Here we explain which PhD places we have at Leiden University, so you can quickly see which type suits you.

Apart from the PhD regulations, Leiden University also employs a set of guidelines that lay down the minimal requirements for the supervision, training and available facilities for PhD candidates.

Are you a PhD candidate, and is there something you’d prefer to discuss with someone other than your thesis director or supervisor? The confidential counsellor for PhD candidates is here to help. You can speak to him/her in confidence and receive advice. If you experience symptoms of physical or mental…

If you wish to obtain a PhD at Leiden University, you first have to be admitted to one of the Graduate Schools. This means that you have to meet specific requirements, including a prior education requirement.

Organisation

You have chosen to do a PhD at Leiden University. The 2018 PhD Regulations, which were established by the Doctoral Board, specify what you must do to be granted a place on a PhD programme. Here you will find out more about the admission procedure and which forms you will need.

Your career as a PhD candidate at Leiden University or Leiden University Medical Center starts with the introductory meeting. These meetings are organised five times a year, and are compulsory for all new PhD candidates, preferably within the first 2-3 months after registration.

The PhD ceremony at Leiden University usually takes place in the Senate Chamber of the Academy Building. The Great Auditorium is a possible alternative.

Do you want to conduct your PhD research at two universities? There are two possible ways to do this: with a cotutelle or a joint doctoral degree (JDD). Arrangements about admission, supervision and the location of defence will then be set out in either a joint doctoral degree (JDD) or a cotutelle a…

Communication , Research

If you are granted permission to defend your thesis at Leiden University, please take into account the rules concerning the PhD ceremony. Below you find an overview of the practical matters.

As a PhD candidate, if you wish to discuss your issues with someone other than your thesis director or supervisor, or if you develop psychological or other symptoms, you can contact the university doctor, psychologist, or confidential counsellor.

Morning yoga, having your resumé checked at the information market, or dancing for inclusiveness: just a small selection of the activities of the first Science PhD Day on Thursday 18 April. Around 120 PhD candidates from all eight institutes of our faculty attended the day. 'A great success', according…

Finance, Research

Staff activity

Staff activity

For the first time ever, more women than men have been awarded PhDs at Leiden University. In 2019, 226 women defended their dissertations as opposed to 207 men. More women were also awarded a distinction: seven of the thirteen ‘cum laude’ distinctions were awarded to women.

Organisation

Facility, Library