Admission
These steps are mentioned here in short for your convenience and described in detail in the "Leiden University PhD Regulations".
- Step 1: Find a supervisor
In many ways the most important person in the whole process of obtaining a doctorate is your supervisor (promotor). He supervises the research and gives advice. The supervisor has to declare that he is willing to accept you as a PhD-candidate (promovendus) before any further steps can be taken.
Every full professor has the right to act as a PhD supervisor. By the time you plan to earn a doctorate in the Netherlands, you may already know - from publications in academic journals, conferences and similar gatherings - which professor you would like to have as your supervisor.
If you know a professor or senior staff member at Leiden University, you may contact him or her directly to discuss your plans.
If you do not know a professor or senior staff member at Leiden University, you should search the website of the Research Institute in your area of interest.
All vacant, funded, PhD position are posted on the job-website of the University.
- Step 2: Admission by the Graduate School
The formal decision on admission rests with the Graduate School of the Faculty of Science.
In order to apply for admission an Admission Form needs to be filled out and send to the Graduate School Office. Please note that certified copies university diplomas and transcripts need to be sent to the Graduate School Office, or the original documents can be presented at the office.Upon admission, the PhD candidate (and the professor who will act as supervisor) will receive a formal letter of acceptance from the Graduate School Office.
For international applicants additional administrative procedures may also apply in relation to visa, residence permit and/or work permit requirements set by the government. The Human Resources Department of the faculty will assist you in applying for the necessary permits.
- After Admission
When you are officially admitted to the PhD programme of the Faculty of Science, the institute you’ll be working at will organize the further administrative procedures.
Before the end of your first year, the dean of the faculty will officially need to appoint your supervisor (promotor). To request appointment, the PhD-candidate will need to send an official request to the Graduate School of Science using appendix 2.
Upon completing your thesis, you will need to follow the procedure as described under PhD- towards your Doctoral Degree.
