What is a PhD?
PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy; it’s the title you receive after completing a doctoral programme. Before that, you are a PhD candidate. A PhD is typically the result of a four-year PhD programme at a university, during which you carry out a research project on one specific topic. You work towards generating new knowledge, write scientific articles and finish with a dissertation that you defend in front of a graduation committee. At the University of Twente, you also follow an education programme of 30 EC, so you keep learning throughout your PhD journey.
Doing a PhD at a university
At Dutch universities, most PhD candidates are employees. It is also possible to do a PhD with a scholarship or funded by your employer, in which case you are not employed by the university.
As a PhD candidate, you work full-time on your research within a research group, receive supervision from a team of supervisors and become part of an international academic community. Besides research, you might also teach and supervise students.
Is doing a PhD right for me?
Not sure if doing a PhD suits you? These questions can help you get a clearer picture.
- Do you enjoy diving deep into one topic and working on it for a long period of time?
- Do you get excited about research, analysing data and critical thinking?
- Do you like working independently, but also collaborating with other researchers in a team?
- Are you open to feedback and keen to keep learning?
- Can you see yourself working in research, innovation, or a specialist role in the future?
If your answer is ‘yes’ to several of these questions, a PhD programme is definitely worth considering. You don’t need to know everything about your field yet. Many PhD candidates start because they are curious and want to grow into an expert in their field.
PhD salary
A common question is whether you get paid as a PhD candidate. Good news: you can apply for a paid PhD position. You are employed by the university, fall under the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities and receive a salary.
Your salary grows with your experience and is roughly between €3,000 and €3,800 gross per month. On top of that, you build a pension and are entitled to holiday allowance and other employment benefits. This makes a PhD programme not only intellectually interesting, but also a financially realistic choice.
How do I qualify for a PhD programme at the University of Twente?
The application process for a PhD position at the University of Twente is clear and transparent. You apply for a vacancy that matches your background and interests. These PhD vacancies are published on the UT career website. Tip: you can also sign up for a job alert there, so you automatically receive an email when new vacancies go online.
To be eligible, you need to meet a few requirements: you hold a master’s degree in a relevant field, and your English proficiency is at a good level. During the selection process, the University of Twente looks at your academic results, your motivation, and your research interests. If you are selected, you start with a four-year contract and become part of the Twente Graduate School.
During your PhD programme, you follow training courses in research, personal development and career skills. You won't be on your own - UT actively supports your growth, both within and beyond academia.
