Degree requirements
The key to success for any PhD candidate is an academic attitude and the ambition to become an excellent researcher. In addition, you should have the relevant educational background and skills required by a researcher in the specific field you have chosen. You have completed a research master (MPhil) or an equivalent degree. In some cases, applicants may be required to acquire additional qualifications, for example by entering the second year of our two research masters European Studies or CAST. Students with a regular master will only be accepted in exceptional cases. Each application will be assessed by the selection committee.

How to apply
There are two ways to apply for our Graduate School:

1. You can send us your (brief) ideas for a PhD project together with a CV. Send them directly to a proposed supervisor (for an overview of senior staff, click here) or to the programme officer. Your ideas should be in line with the research themes which you can find on this website. As a result, you may receive an invitation to work with the supervisor you proposed or selected by us, to work on an application. Please send us your proposal and your CV not later than Friday 5 March 2010;
2. You can express your interest in one of the research suggestions which can be found on this website (research suggestions) by submitting a CV to the programme officer. Aa a result, you may receive an invitation to work with a supervisor on an application. Please send us your CV not later than Friday 5 March 2010.

Final applications have to be submitted not later than Friday 7 May 2010. A complete application consists of a research proposal, a CV, a list of marks of both bachelor and master studies and two recent essays. You have to use the application form which you can find here. There are five positions available.

Procedure and planning

Not later than 5 March 2010: espress your interest in our Graduate School by sending us your CV;

Not later than 7 May 2010: submit your application;

June 2010: a selection of applicants will be invited to present the proposal for a selection committee;

Before 1 July 2010: the selection committee will reach a decision. Selection will be based on the CV and skills of the candidate, the quality of the proposal and the presentation;

Between 1 September 2010 and 1 January 2011: start of the project.

Alternative opportunities
The faculty regularly offers a number of PhD positions from its own budget. In addition, PhD places may be funded through projects supported by for example the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) or European funding bodies.

Another option is to become involved in our pogramme as an external PhD. To take up an external PhD you will have to find the necessary funding yourself. For more information, contact the programme officer.