Doctoral study programme

Are you the holder of a Flemish master's degree or an equivalent diploma, and is this diploma relevant for your doctoral research? If so, you can start your search for a promotor and a possible research subject. 

If you do not have such a degree but have already found a subject and a promotor; the faculty of your promotor can evaluate your qualifications through an exam. Based on the results of this exam, you may be granted an exceptional permission to start your doctoral programme. 

Do you want to learn more about our elibility criteria? Read our Central PhD Regulations.

Do you have a non-Flemish master's degree? Then start the diploma verification process as soon as possible!

Choosing a topic is the first and sometimes the most difficult step of this journey, but it can also be the beginning of long-lasting cooperation with your supervisor. Because during your PhD project, you are not on your own: a supervisor with expertise that matches your research will guide you. 

Take a look in our VUB research portal to get to know the research and the researchers at our university. Do you see a topic you like, then contact the researcher to discuss a possible collaboration.   

Promotors are often open to suggestions. Do you have an idea for a topic? Don't hesitate to suggest your favourite topic to a professional in your field.

Together with your promotor you will then have to draft a research plan for the coming year. Use the template Research plan found here to get started.

As a PhD candidate, you can obtain funding in different ways.

Firstly, you can become an employee of our university (assisting academic staff or AAP) . As an AAP member, you will assist the professors in your research group with their teaching responsibilities. This will take up 40% of your time, while the remaining 60%  will be spent on your research.
Secondly, some research projects at our university are seeking for PhD candidates. 

Find open positions at our university, whether for AAP roles or research projects, here.

Lastly, if you cannot find available positions, discuss with your supervisor what other options might be available. For example, you can:

• Apply for a VLAIO Baekeland mandate for fundamental research in cooperation with a Flemish company.
• Apply for funding with the IWT, FWO or Innoviris

Alternatively, you can pursue a 'self-funded' PhD. This means that you will receive no financial compensation for your research. which is often done combination with a job outside the university.

Get ready for your application by preparing all required documents and writing your research plan together with your promotor.

Your application will be started by your promotor. After they completed their part of your application, you will receive an email with a request to complete this procedure. Click on the link in the mail to add the necessary information and documents to your application. 

Our colleagues of studentenadministratie@vub.be will then check whether your application file is complete. The sooner that they have all your documents, the quicker they can process your application, so prepare your required documents before starting the application.

Lastly, the faculty of your promotor will approve your application, you will then receive an email that confirms your rregistrations.

PhD promotors can find information about this application procedure here. 

You can start your PhD research anytime in the academic year but keep the deadlines below in mind when starting your application.

Deadlines to apply and register in the current academic year

If you're planning to register as a PhD candidate during the academic year for the ongoing academic year:

• Deadline to apply: You must respond to the invitation of your promotor and complete your application by 31 May.
• Evaluation period: The faculty and student administration will then review your application within one month.
• Deadline to register: If your application is approved, you must sign your student registration contract to complete your registeration by 30 June.
   

Starting your PhD in the summer?

If you want to start as a PhD candidate in June, July, August, or September, you can only apply for the next academic year.

Even though your application will be for the forthcoming academic year, your registration will be considered valid for the current academic year during the summer months. 
This mean that you can start your PhD research already in June, July August or September without waiting for the official start of the academic year.

After your registration as a PhD candidate, you can activate your VUB account and you will receive a VUB email address. This email address will grant you access to the various VUB applications, e-tools and portals.

You will also be required to pay tuition fees. As a PhD candidate, you will have to re-register each academic year, but you will only need to pay tuition fees during the first and last academic year of your PhD.

You are now ready to start your research and doctoral training programme.

The VUB can award so-called joint PhDs. A joint PhD, or ‘cotutelle de thèse' in French, is a doctorate that’s prepared in collaboration with two universities. The research is done under supervision of a supervisor in each institution and at the end of the successful project you will be awarded a PhD degree by both universities.

Read more about starting a Joint PhD.

Before you can start your interdisciplinary PhD; you must specify your fields of expertise or the disciplines of your research.
Please discuss with your promotor the the disciplines of your research from the list found  here.

Your promotor can then invite you to start your new interdisciplinary programme.