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 ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ.
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 ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ’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 ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ (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 ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ.