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VSNU
At the Dutch research universities, it takes four years to complete a PhD, a time in which doctoral candidates perform research at internationally renowned universities and become part of a global network of researchers. Supervision and support are organised within graduate schools, whilst research schools provide links with the same discipline at other universities.
There are three types of PhD positions at the Dutch research universities. The most common type is the salaried PhD position, which means that the PhD student is an employee of the university. He or she receives a salary according to the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch research universities. Salaried PhD positions are open to international candidates.
It is also possible to pursue a PhD at a Dutch research university with a fellowship or grant. For international PhD students there is a variety of PhD fellowships and grants available. The PhD students also needs to find a supervisor at a Dutch research university.
You can search for PhD fellowships and grants with the Nuffic grantfinder. Moreover, the Euraxess website offers an overview of PhD fellowships and grants in the Netherlands.
It is also possible to do a PhD next to a job. This means that the PhD student is neither employed by a university as PhD student nor receives a grant or fellowship but is funded through his job.
See also figures of excellent research at the Dutch research universities
Practical information
The Nuffic leaflet Obtaining a PhD 2010/2011 provides information on doing a PhD in the Netherlands, including tuition fees, admission requirements, and graduate schools.
Every university has one or more contact persons for international students interested in doing a PhD. Their contact information can be found in this list.