Educational Programme

General

University educational programmes at the Bachelors, Masters and PhD levels are undergoing many changes throughout Europe. This includes formal course requirements for the PhD degree and its intercalation with research. The newly founded, Groningen Graduate School of Science (GGSS) is responsible for this task at the faculty level and will be working closely with RSEE-CEES. A new information booklet (PhD guide) for all students registered with the GGSS, which includes all CEES students, will be made available to all PhD students and can be accessed online here.

As a further source of information on the rights and duties of (the different types of) PhD students you may also check the following document in Dutch [PDF] or in English [PDF].

Educational Requirements

All PhD students must earn at least 30 EC (but no more than 36 EC) on educational activities from the list below:

• pre-study of the proposed research topic known as the Introductory Essay (≥8 EC)
• formal PhD courses (≥6 EC)
• attendance plus presentation at least once at the annual NERN-meeting for PhD students (≥2 EC) and attendance and presentation at at least one equivalent meeting such as EMPSEB, NVG Meeting (≥2 EC) if not twice at NERN.
• poster or oral presentation at an international conference (≥3 EC)
• electives (9-15 EC)

Electives allow the student to customize their educational packet and to take advantage of unexpected opportunities. All elective elements must, however, be approved by the thesis supervisor and, where applicable, in consultation with the Graduate School of Science. Some examples of elective elements include:

• following a Master’s level course to remediate a deficiency (not more than 4 EC)
• following a seminar series, special excursion or short training course
• organizing scientific activities like special symposia or “PhD days”
• becoming a member of the Educational Committee or approved Student Councils

Credits: 1 EC is a credit point according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). 1 EC corresponds to 28 hours of study. An overview of approved training activities and their associated ECTS can be found here.