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.

Once again, a record number of PhD candidates have been awarded a doctorate at Leiden University: 447, compared with 423 last year. This was announced on 6 December at the traditional annual reception for pro-rectors in the Academy Building.

Organisation

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.

Communication , Outreach

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.

Finance, Research

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.

Facility, Library

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.

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.

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…

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.

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

Conference, Event for PhD candidates

By the next academic year the University will have migrated completely to the new learning environment Brightspace. The faculties are working hard to transfer all the University’s courses to the new system. Two project leaders, Rob Goedemans and Remco Jansen, tell us how things are going at Humanities…

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.

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.

Facility, Library

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.

Career development

Research

Research

Education and Supervision Plan (ESP) The rules regarding PhD courses have been adjusted to better match the personal needs of PhD students. Each PhD candidate has his/her own needs on the field of personal and professional skills. Therefore, the amount of compulsory courses is decreased. Every PhD…

He presented his PhD research entitled “Kick-starting drug development; translational systems pharmacology using innovative zebrafish experiments and advanced computational modelling”. During his presentation, Rob highlighted the advancements he made in using zebrafish as model in system pharmacolog…

Human resources