More flexibility, clear agreements and a healthy PhD trajectory UT updates PhD Charter

The revised Charter aligns with the national advisory document ‘Healthy Practices in the Dutch PhD System 2.0’, adopted by Dutch universities in 2025. This document contains recommendations to  support a safe and healthy PhD system with high-quality supervision.

A flexible 30 EC training programme and modern final qualifications

The updated 30 EC training programme is now formally embedded in the new PhD Charter. PhD candidates will have greater freedom to shape their own development path. There are fewer mandatory components and more possibilities to select training that matches the research project, existing skills and personal ambitions.

Progress and development will be documented in a portfolio. In this portfolio, PhD candidates demonstrate how they are working towards modern exit qualifications — skills and competencies that reflect today’s scientific and societal context. Together with the promotor, a tailored programme is designed, supported by a renewed course offering.

A conversation about mutual expectations when drafting the training and supervision plan

Another new element is that, at the start of the trajectory, the PhD candidate and supervisory team will explicitly discuss their mutual expectations. What can they expect from each other? What does good supervision look like? By addressing these questions early on and recording the outcomes in the training and supervision plan, greater clarity and trust are established from the outset.

An independent academic staff member at the penultimate-year progress review

At the end of the penultimate year of the PhD trajectory, a progress interview takes place. From now on, an independent academic staff member with ius promovendi will attend this meeting. This person will assess progress, ask critical questions and provide advice on the feasibility of timely completion. This ensures that any need for adjustments is identified at an early stage.

Together with the Doctorate Regulations, the Charter for Doctoral Candidates provides the framework for all PhD trajectories at the University of Twente and applies to all PhD candidates. The revised Charter for Doctoral Candidates will enter into force on 1 March 2026.