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If you are supervising a PhD candidate at the GSLS for the first time, you must complete the ‘Supervising PhD Candidates at the GSLS’ training course within the first two years. If you have completed similar training at another graduate school or university, you may apply for a waiver from your faculty dean or the GSLS director of doctoral education. If you are new to supervision, at least one other member of the supervisory team must be more experienced. 

After completion

After completing the training, you will:

• Reflect on your supervision practice. 
• Gain insights into your strengths and areas for development, as well as those of your PhD candidate. 
• Apply didactical theories to your supervision. 
• Broaden your supervision skills (e.g., coaching, conversation, feedback skills). 
• Learn effective strategies for intercultural work situations. 
• Identify and manage problem behaviours early. 
• Develop and implement a plan to optimise your supervision practices. 
• Create a personal supervision plan. 

Completion of this training is mandatory for those applying for a Senior ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ Teaching Qualification (SKO).  

In addition to the ‘Supervising PhD Candidates’ training, the GSLS PhD Course Centre offers a toolkit for supervisors to enhance your supervisory practice further or develop specific skills. The sessions also provide opportunities for interaction with your peers, for exchange of ideas and experience. The sessions are of interest to both starting and advanced supervisors. 

Doctoral thesis

The doctoral thesis must be submitted to the Assessment Committee before the end of the candidate's contract (for employed PhD candidates). The Doctoral Degree regulations and guidelines of Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ outline the necessary requirements, procedures, responsibilities, and rules. It is the shared responsibility of both the supervisory team and the PhD candidate to ensure that the research presented in the thesis meets the required quality standards.  

The GSLS provides additional guidelines for the content of the doctoral thesis for GSLS PhD candidates. The goal of the PhD journey is to train the candidate as an independent scientist, equipping them for a career within or beyond academia. The thesis should reflect this scientific development. 

More information on thesis requirements, content and the Assessment Committee can be found on the PhD website.