PhD programmes

In the four year PhD programmes, students conduct their own research while the respective Graduate School provides a balanced mix of expert supervision, tailor-made postgraduate training and the freedom to pursue your own ideas within relevant research themes. In some cases part of the research is carried out abroad and many international PhD candidates are welcomed for short stays as well. The results are written down in a PhD thesis, often including papers published in scientific journals. After a successful defence, you will be awarded with an internationally highly esteemed PhD degree. In addition to 4-year full-time programmes, variants are possible: e.g. combining a PhD with work outside the university environment.

Obtaining a PhD position

Admission for PhD candidates is highly selective and based on academic merit: your best preparation is successful completion of one of our Graduate School Master’s. However, chances are that you are currently looking for a PhD position and funding. The best ways to look for a PhD position are:

1. Check our website for job opportunities. A number of PhD positions are usually posted there. Please be aware that these positions are usually within a set research theme or are part of a larger research project. You need to officially apply to obtain one of these positions.
2. Look for positions offered by Research Institutes on their respective websites.
3. Contact the PhD co-ordinator of the Research Institute or Graduate School covering your field of interest. When your own ideas for a PhD project do not match the positions that are currently offered, the co-ordinator can inform you about the possibilities for accommodating your proposal.

Funding

When you apply for an available position, funding will be arranged for you. Details are included in the description of the available position.

The University of Groningen  is also committed to recognizing excellence in academic achievement through scholarships for PhD candidates. In some cases these are reserved for candidates from our partner universities within set research projects, however, some are open for all applications . It is best to apply in agreement with the PhD co-ordinator of  the Research Institute or Graduate School covering your field of interest.