Institute for History
PhD Programme
The PhD programme at the Leiden University Institute for History is characterised by a strong international orientation, a broad variety of disciplinary perspectives and methodological approaches, and a focus on the use of primary sources. The institute welcomes employed, contract and external PhD candidates.
The PhD programme
The PhD programme of the Leiden University Institute for History is embedded in the Graduate School of Humanities which provides the opportunity to study not only the languages, societies and cultures of Europe, but also those of Africa, Asia, America and the Caribbean. Under the overall motto ‘Global Questions, Local Sources’ the research of the Institute for History is subdivided into six research programmes. PhD candidates primarily focus on writing their dissertation under the guidance of two supervisors of whom one is a full professor. At least the full professor is connected to one of the research programmes.
The Institute for History offers three different types of PhD affiliation. There are employed PhD candidates, contract PhD candidates, and external PhD candidates.
Employed PhD candidates
Employed PhD candidates are selected by the PhD committee of the Institute or by an ad hoc committee in case their PhD research is sponsored by an external funding agency (for example NWO or ERC) and accountability for the funding is a responsibility of the Institute for History. In all instances the supervisor of the candidate and the director of research will be part of this committee. PhD candidates employed by the Institute are generally appointed for a period of four years. If there are vacancies for PhD candidates available they are published on the university’s website in Dutch and/or English.
Employed PhD candidates take a number of courses relevant to their field of research. Some of these courses are offered by the Institute, such as the PhD conferences and the practical didactical course. The latter are compulsory components of the PhD training programme of the Institute for History. As a rule PhD candidates take supplementary courses at Leiden University and at one of the Dutch research schools in the field of history. In total, PhD candidates are required to take part in 140 hours of academic education and 140 hours of transferable skills. Finally, the PhD programme offers candidates the opportunity to gain experience in administration and teaching, and provides a timely orientation towards a career after the completion of the PhD dissertation.
Most members of the institute, including employed PhD candidates, are housed in the Johan Huizinga building, creating a stimulating intellectual environment and a genuine academic community. Members of the Institute frequently organize conferences, workshops, lectures and book presentations which are open to anyone interested in the topic under discussion. The workplaces available for PhD candidates in the Johan Huizinga building and adjacent locations include all the necessary facilities (desk, computer and library access).
Fee
During their appointment employed PhD candidates do not pay a fee. In case they need to finish their dissertation after their contract has expired, formerly employed PhD candidates will be registered as external PhD candidates up until the date of their PhD defense. They are required to pay the fee for external PhD candidates (€400 per year) from a year after their employment as a PhD candidate ended.
Contract PhD candidates
Contract PhD candidates are directly funded by external funding agencies through a scholarship or grant for a period of at least three years (full-time). Those who are not residing in the Netherlands can conduct their PhD research in their country of origin or can move to the Netherlands and join the Institute for History in Leiden. Basically contract PhD candidates are required to take part in 140 hours of academic education and 140 hours of transferable skills.
Fee
Contract PhD candidates pay a fee of €2850 per year. The fee entitles the PhD candidate to facilities like a shared workspace, a copy card, participation in 140 hours of academic education and 140 hours of transferable skills, and a small budget (max. 500 euro per PhD trajectory) for conference visits and/or research (abroad). If a contract PhD candidate works on his/her PhD research from abroad and does not require such facilities, (s)he can, with the approval of their supervisor, request the director of research to pay the flat fee for external PhD candidates (€400 per year).
Following the termination of their scholarship contract PhD candidates, as long as they have not defended their PhD thesis, will pay a flat fee of €400 per year.
External PhD candidates
External PhD candidates receive their funding from other sources than Leiden University or PhD grants. They are self-funded and usually conduct their PhD project next to a (full-time or part-time) job in the Netherlands or outside the Netherlands. They are not required to take part in an educational programme. However, external PhD candidates who enrolled on or after 1 January 2019 are required to attend or watch the plenary lecture on Academic Integrity organized by the Graduate School.
Fee
External PhD candidates pay a flat fee of €400 per year for a minimum period of two years. They will be receiving an account, access to the library and supervision. Fees are to be paid annually and the first payment will be done in the year the external PhD candidate registers at the Graduate School of Humanities.
Admission to the Graduate School of Humanities
All PhD candidates at the Leiden University Institute for History are subject to admission through a specific procedure at the Graduate School of Humanities. Before you can apply for admission through the graduate school, it is important to find a supervisor within one of the six research programmes of the Institute for History. Candidates can approach a potential supervisor themselves.
Admission mainly depends on candidates having:
- formulated an excellent dissertation proposal;
- found a supervisor at the Institute for History;
- successfully completed a (research) MA degree in history (or equivalent discipline). Excellence being a major selection criterion, supervisors focus on applicants who have obtained a (research) MA or MPhil diploma with high marks, including a substantial thesis that was evaluated with at least an 8.0 (on a 10-point scale) or equivalent.