The Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies offers outstanding PhD candidates a flexible programme and a stimulating research environment.

The ‘Grotius PhD Track’ is designed to accommodate ‘external’ PhD candidates (buitenpromovendi) who work part-time or full-time and who seek to pursue a PhD in public international law alongside their professional activities. External PhD candidates need not be based in Leiden or The Hague.

The Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies offers a unique programme through its high-level academic activities and its close links to international institutions and the legal profession. The highly regarded scholars of Leiden Law School provide the required supervision in their areas of expertise.

The Programme's Structure

The Grotius PhD Track is designed for candidates who require some flexibility. Candidates need only be present in Leiden or the Hague whenever supervision, seminars, or special courses require this. While the Grotius PhD Track offers flexibility, it at the same time provides the structure needed for successful doctoral studies. The Grotius PhD track accords with Leiden University’s standards, and all PhD projects are governed by Leiden Law School’s regulations and guidelines. 

PhD candidates are typically supervised by two members of the Grotius Centre. The promotor (i.e., supervisor) must be a professor or an associate professor with jus promovendi, meaning the right to supervise PhD candidates. The co-promotor may be an assistant professor, who would lack jus promovendi.

External PhD candidates can opt to take part in the courses on research methodology that are offered by Leiden Law School. The Grotius PhD Track also offers PhD candidates several services and opportunities, including:

• Access to the University’s library, which includes digital subscriptions and e-journals;
• Participation in meetings between internal and external PhD candidates at the Grotius Centre; and
• Participation in academic events organised by the Grotius Centre, such as symposia and conferences.

Admission

Admission to the Grotius PhD Track is highly selective and open only to those pursuing PhDs in public international law, and in alignment with the Grotius Centre’s research programme.

In accordance with Article 3 of Leiden University’s PhD Regulations, persons are eligible for admission to the PhD programme if they have:

• Been awarded a master’s degree from a Dutch university or an equivalent master’s degree from another institution, or who have passed the ‘old style’ doctoral (doctoraal) examination of a government-funded or appointed Dutch university;
• Written a thesis and/or prepared an artistic outcome as proof of competence in independently conducting scientific research; and
• Met the requirements stipulated elsewhere in the regulations.

Admission is conditional for the first year, at the end of which the progress of the PhD candidate is subject to an evaluation. On the basis of a successful first-year evaluation, the PhD candidate is admitted to the PhD programme unconditionally.

Fee

The fee is €5,000 per annum for PhD candidates who do not require a work space at the Law School. The fee is €10,000 per annum for PhD candidates who do require a work space at the Law School. This fee is charged on a yearly basis for a maximum of 4 years.

In cases where a PhD candidate is not admitted unconditionally following the first year evaluation, the fee for the first year will not be reimbursed.

The fee may be reduced to €2,500 per annum, in particular for candidates who demonstrate a financial need for a fee reduction.

A request for a fee reduction may be submitted to the Director of the Grotius PhD Track. The decision on the grant of a fee reduction is made by the Dean of Leiden Law School, on the basis of advice by the PhD Dean of the Graduate School of Leiden Law School.

Fee reduction

The fee can be reduced to €2,500 per annum. A request for a fee reduction can be made by the applicant, if it is shown that the following cumulative conditions are met:

1. There is an evident substantial link or synergy between the PhD proposal and the research projects of the Grotius Centre which justifies a fee reduction;
2. The Candidate’s curriculum is a proof of excellence;
3. There is a financial need for a reduction.

A request for a fee reduction can be made by mailing the Director of the Grotius PhD Track, detailing why the set conditions are met. The decision on the grant of a fee reduction is made by the Dean of Leiden Law School, following an advice on the matter by the PhD Dean of the Graduate School of Leiden Law School.

How to apply

Detailed information about the application procedure may be found here.

Applications must be submitted through an online form, which may be found here.

Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. Before applying, interested individuals should first determine whether a professor or associate professor at the Grotius Centre is interested in acting as the supervisor and able to take on a new candidate.

Further information

For any additional questions about the Grotius PhD Track, please contact the Director of the Grotius PhD Track, Dr Cecily Rose: c.e.rose@law.leidenuniv.nl.