What do you need to start a PhD?
- A Master's degree diploma or a diploma that is equal (for exceptions please consult the general PhD regulations art. 9)
- A topic
- One ore more supervisor(s)
- Funding
Once you have got this in order, you can follow the rest of the PhD procedure.
The faculty in which you would like to pursue your PhD will decide on your admission based on the proposal of your researchproject (which you agreed upon with your supervisor(s)).
For some categories of students, the faculty may ask you to complete a preparatory programme after admission has been granted. This applies to:
- candidates wishing to obtain the degree of doctor in a different discipline from the one in which they obtained their Master’s degree;
- candidates with a Master’s degree from an institution outside of the Flemish Community;
- candidates who do not hold a Master’s degree (but have been accepted after obtaining an exceptional exemption on the admission requirements).
Also have a look at the vacancies for PhD scholarships.
Collaboration with external partners
If your PhD involves collaboration with external partners (e.g. a company or another university) it is best to discuss certain arrangements in advance about publication, confidentiality and property rights regarding the results of the research. Also if you think that some of your results might be valorised and/or used for commercial purposes it is best to agree upon how this is handled in time.
The Valorisation Office can provide you with support and advice and help you draw up an appropriate agreement.
Tuition fee PhD
If you enrol as a PhD student (diploma contract), you will only pay tuition fees for the first enrolment in the PhD and for the defence of your thesis. Please note, if both events take place in the same academic year, both fees are due.
The tuition rates can be found on this webpage.
Only pay the tuition fees after you have been notified by the Registrar's Office that they are due. With regard to the final year, your tuition fee for the defence will be due after you have announced your PhD defence via SisA (ePhD).