The Graduate School of Legal Studies provides a research and training infrastructure for all PhD candidates at Leiden Law School. It is the place to go for any questions related to the PhD track. The Graduate School:

• coordinates the admission of PhD candidates;
• offers an (in-house) training programme;
• monitors progress, and;
• provides support for PhD defence formalities. 

The Graduate School consists of a team of dedicated staff members who are committed to supporting the entire PhD track, for both PhD candidates and their supervisors.

Director

The Director of the Graduate School is responsible for developing the faculty's PhD policy and overseeing all aspects of the PhD track including training, the quality and progress of dissertations, and individual case management. The Director works together with the Graduate School Management Board and the Head of Research Affairs (see Organisation).

PhD Deans

The PhD Deans monitor the progress of PhD candidates, provide advice, conduct the start and evaluation (go/no-go) interviews, discuss the Training and Supervision Plan, and help shape overall PhD policy.

Graduate School Officers

The Graduate School Officers organise and coordinate all ongoing processes and procedures regarding the PhD track, for both PhD candidates and their supervisors.

The Graduate School is embedded in the Department of Research (part of the Faculty Bureau) at Leiden Law School, supervised by the Head of Research Affairs.  

The Management Board of the Graduate School is responsible for strategic direction and good governance. It comprises the Faculty Board’s research portfolio holder, an academic member, an external member, and the PhD representative.

The PhD track typically involves four years of independent research under the supervision of at least two supervisors, resulting in a dissertation: a monograph or a doctorate based on articles. PhD candidates follow an individual training plan and may have teaching duties. Leiden Law School has both employed and non-employed PhD candidates.

PhD research at Leiden University

Employed PhD candidates have an employment contract with the university. 

• Regular PhD candidates have a 4-year appointment (1+3 years) with around 10% teaching duties.
• PhD Fellows have a 6-year appointment, with possible interim termination, and around 35% teaching duties. 

Candidates who are employed by the university in another role (for example, as a lecturer) and pursue PhD research in their own time, are external PhD candidates.

Application procedure

The application procedure for employed PhD candidates takes place at departmental level. Following a successful application process, PhD candidates are appointed within a department within one of Leiden Law School's five institutes. The Graduate School registers the PhD candidate's track and organises an introductory (start) meeting with one of the PhD Deans for all newly appointed PhD candidates. 

PhD vacancies at Leiden University

Non-employed PhD candidates do not have an employment contract with the university.

• Contract (‘scholarship’) PhD candidates receive scholarship funding for living expenses.
• Externally financed PhD candidates are employed by an external organisation and usually pursue their PhD part-time with employer support.
• External PhD candidates conduct their PhD in their own time and with their own funds, often while working in another position.

All external PhD candidates follow the same application procedure.

Application procedure

The application procedure for all external PhD candidates is handled by the Graduate School. Applications are submitted through the online application form only and are accepted throughout the year. Following a successful application process, the Graduate School registers the external PhD candidate's track. External PhD candidates do not normally have an introductory meeting with one of the PhD Deans.

Online application form

Requirements

The name(s) of the intended supervisor(s) – Professor(s) or Associate Professors granted ius promovendi at Leiden Law School – are to be added on the form, and have been contacted prior to the application. 

External PhD candidates should submit a research proposal that matches with one of the faculty's current research programmes and the expertise of the intended supervisor(s).

Decisions on applications will only be made once the form and all required documents have been received by the Graduate School. 

The full application includes the form accompanied by the following annexes:

• a research proposal of at least 2,000 words (excl. bibliography) describing at minimum the research questions, the main relevant literature, the academic and societal importance of the research, and the methodology;
• a detailed research plan outlining the various tasks, activities and output (publications) including methods, and a timeline for the multi-year project;
• proof of academic writing, such as a master's thesis, publication, or other (academic) text;
• CV;
• a scan of the Master's diploma (the equivalent of an LL.M./master's degree obtained in the Netherlands), including a list of grades;
• proof of English language proficiency (if applicable). 

A format to use for the research proposal and research plan is available here.

Fees

Three departments at Leiden Law School offer a special programme to pursue a PhD track as an external PhD candidate, for which they charge a fee: the International Institute of Air and Space Law, the Van Vollenhoven Institute and the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies.

Funding

External PhD candidates must make their own arrangements to fund their research and cover living costs. External funding possibilities can be explored with their supervisor(s). 

The Pre-PhD Programme (PPP) is intended for master's students studying at Leiden Law School who are considering pursuing a PhD. Students can improve their research skills and learn what the entire PhD track involves. They can also receive guidance on how to write a good research proposal to apply for a PhD project (in Leiden or elsewhere).

The Training and Supervision Plan (TSP) is prepared by the PhD candidate and supervisors jointly at the beginning of the PhD track. The TSP comprises the training plan, supervision agreements, the research proposal and timeline of the research, and (if applicable) teaching activities. The TSP may be adjusted and supplemented throughout the course of the PhD trajectory, and is discussed annually at a meeting with the PhD candidate and their supervisors.

Training and Supervision Plan template

Timeline template (for employed PhD candidates only)

The individual training plan is designed by the PhD candidate and supervisors jointly. The training plan is part of the Training and Supervision Plan (TSP). To attend individual courses, the PhD candidate must obtain prior approval from their supervisors.

PhD candidates are responsible for registering their courses in LUCRIS/Converis. At the end of the PhD trajectory, the first supervisor must confirm that the PhD candidate has met all training requirements.

Requirements

Internal PhD candidates (regular employed PhD candidates, PhD fellows and contract PhD candidates) follow a training plan consisting of at least 840 hours (30 ECTS) from two components:

• A minimum of 420 hours (15 ECTS) of academic training activities;
• A minimum of 280 hours (10 ECTS) of transferable skills training activities;
• A minimum of 140 hours (5 ECTS) of either academic training or transferable skills activities.

External PhD candidates (including those in a track) are only required to complete two transferable skills training activities: the online module ‘Inform’ and the workshop ‘Scientific Conduct for PhDs (Law)’. They are encouraged to follow the training ‘Data Management (Law)’.

Exemption from training components may be granted under specific conditions, in consultation with the PhD Dean. Courses are offered by Leiden Law School, by Leiden University or by other universities. For some courses and for some PhD candidates, costs may apply.

Academic training activities

At least 420 hours (15 ECTS) must be dedicated to academic training activities, intended to support the PhD candidate’s research project or field of specialisation. Examples are: specialisation-related training courses, methodology courses, giving a presentation at a conference (counted as 10 hours per presentation, with a maximum of 2 presentations), and visiting research stays (counted as 8 hours per day, with a maximum of 10 days).

At least 280 hours (10 ECTS) of academic training activities should be dedicated to the acquirement and improvement of methodological knowledge and skills. The following methodology courses are offered by Leiden Law School:

• Quantitative Empirical Research Methods in Law (140 hours/5 ECTS)
• Qualitative Empirical Research Methods in Law (140 hours/5 ECTS)
• Legal Methodology (140 hours/5 ECTS)

PhD candidates are free to take other methodology courses outside Leiden Law School if these better match their research and/or level of prior training. If PhD candidates have already completed extensive coursework in methodology they may, in consultation with their supervisors, replace methodology courses with alternative courses.

Leiden Law School offers a fourth (non-methodological) course:

• Philosophy of Science (140 hours/5 ECTS)

The four courses offered by Leiden Law School can be followed in the spring semester.

Transferable skills training activities

At least 280 hours (10 ECTS) must be dedicated to training activities in the area of transferable skills, intended to develop or enhance specific skills of the PhD candidate. Examples are: academic English, time management, career orientation, academic outreach, networking, and teaching (with a maximum of 20 hours).

The following compulsory transferable skills courses must be completed during the first year:

• Central introductory programme ‘Inform & Connect’: only the online module ‘Inform’ (5 hours);
• Workshop ‘Scientific Conduct for PhDs (Law)’ (15 hours)
• Training ‘Data Management (Law)’ (28 hours)

Leiden Law School offers the workshop ‘Scientific Conduct for PhDs (Law)’ and training session ‘Data Management (Law)’ twice during the academic year (spring and autumn). Compulsory courses can only be replaced by other courses in consultation with the PhD Dean.

PhD candidates who teach are encouraged to take at least one of the five modules of the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) (Basis Kwalificatie Onderwijs, BKO). These training hours count as transferable skills courses. PhD fellows usually follow the entire BKO programme.

PhD research at Leiden University

PhD regulations

The PhD Regulations of Leiden University, established by the Doctorate Board, define eligibility for PhD candidates, the responsibilities of supervisors and co-supervisors, and the requirements for dissertations.

PhD regulations Leiden University

Additional guidelines

The additional guidelines of Leiden Law School supplement and elaborate on the regulations and guidelines of Leiden University and the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO) of Dutch Universities.

Additional guidelines PhD research Leiden Law School

Doctorate on the basis of articles

The document Policy on obtaining a doctorate on the basis of articles at Leiden Law School sets out the requirements for article-based doctorates. The dissertation format is decided in the first year and recorded in the TSP.

Doctorate on the basis of articles Leiden Law School

PhD candidates at Leiden Law School can contact the PhD Deans for any questions or concerns that cannot be solved with their supervisors. Additional support is also available:

Confidential counsellor for PhD candidates

The confidential counsellor for PhD candidates of Leiden Law School offers support and advice for any problems that PhD candidates may encounter throughout their PhD track. 

Psychologists for PhD candidates

The psychologists for PhD candidates at Leiden University help PhD candidates who have mental health issues caused by the PhD process or with a direct effect on it.

Leiden Law PhD Community (LLPC)

The Leiden Law PhD Community (LLPC) connects PhD candidates, including international and external candidates, through the organisation of (social) events.

Additional support Department of Research

The Graduate School is embedded in the Department of Research. The department provides additional support and advice for all researchers. 

Data management

Information on data management is available here. For support and questions regarding data management, PhD candidates can contact the data steward at Leiden Law School, Hannah DeLacey. 

External research funding

Information on the acquisition of research grants is available here. For help, PhD candidates can contact the funding advisor at Leiden Law School, Catherine Savitsky.

Registration of research output 

At Leiden Law School, all researchers register their research output in LUCRIS. More information can be found here.

The Graduation School Management (GSM) module in LUCRIS ('LUCRIS GSM') is a registration and monitoring module for PhD candidates and their main supervisor throughout the PhD trajectory. All parties involved have access to relevant files (the PhD candidate, their first supervisor, the Graduate School).

The Graduate School will upload the TSP after approval by the PhD Dean. PhD candidates register their training activities themselves (in the section 'Supervision plans'). Courses at Leiden University in which PhD candidates are officially enrolled are automatically registered. The section 'Graduation formalities' is used for the organisation of the defence. 

A short instruction is available here. 

Leiden Law School uses a step-by-step plan that follows the formal procedure towards the public PhD defence ceremony. 

Step-by-step plan leading to PhD defence

Leiden Law School has its own book series for dissertations. PhD candidates can choose whether or not to publish their dissertation in the Meijers Book Series. 

Questions on this can be addressed to Belinda Helder. 

Procedure

The choice of the publisher/printer is up to the author or editor. The Department of Research has agreements with a number of companies for the lay-out of publications.

For the layout of a PhD dissertation, it is recommended to calculate backwards from the date the book is due to be published. This is particularly important for PhD candidates whose defence date has already been set. A period of 16 weeks is standard. For the procedure and timeline, see instructions for authors.

The maximum length of a PhD dissertation is in principle 100,000 words (including footnotes and bibliography, excluding the non-academic part). The Dean, on behalf of the Doctorate Board, may grant an extension, following a written request by the supervisor(s).

Instructions for authors 

The instructions for authors contain practical recommendations for the submission of a text document, tables and images, as well as guidelines for the text, footnotes and literature references. These instructions are in line with the Leidraad voor juridische auteurs (Deventer: Kluwer 2022). The instructions also contain information on the production process from the moment the final manuscript is ready.

Leiden Law School has a number of allowances for employed and contract PhD candidates. In some cases, the arrangements also apply to external PhD candidates.

Departments and institutes may provide additional funds to cover costs which cannot be paid from the travel and training budget (for employed and contract PhD candidates), or to financially support external PhD candidates.

The Leiden University Fund (LUF) is the university's leading fund. PhD candidates at Leiden University can apply to the LUF for various grants. 

Travel and training costs

(for employed and contract PhD researchers only)

PhD candidates can reimburse up a maximum amount of €5,000 for travel and training expenses. The exact amount may vary depending on the needs and nature of the research. Travel and training expenses may include costs incurred for accommodation, courses, conferences, study days and study tours, memberships of scientific organisations, translation costs, and a maximum amount of €1,000 for the purchase of academic literature.

PhD candidates can claim expenses through Bas InSite. The expenses are reimbursed by the institute where the PhD candidate is employed. Permission in advance is needed from the Academic Director (or Head of Department) and supervisor(s).

Printing costs dissertation

(for all PhD candidates)

PhD candidates can receive, until 1 September 2026, a financial compensation of €500 towards the printing costs of their dissertation from Leiden University Libraries. 

In addition, should the invoice be more than €500, the Department of Research of Leiden Law School reimburses a maximum amount of €1,150. This arrangement applies irrespective of whether the book is published in the Meijers Book Series or not. Employed PhD candidates can claim the expenses through Bas InSite. Other PhD candidates can do so by using a digital form (attaching the invoice). To know which project code number to use, please send an email to promoties@law.leidenuniv.nl. PhD candidates are expected to pay any additional printing costs themselves. 

Layout costs dissertation as Meijers book

(for all PhD candidates whose dissertations are published in the Meijers Book Series)

The Department of Research reimburses a maximum amount of €2,500 for the layout costs of the dissertation published in the Meijers Book Series. 

The maximum amount is based on a dissertation that falls within the 100,000 word limit. If this limit is exceeded, additional costs are charged to the institute or department where the supervisor is employed, for which permission in advance is needed. External PhD candidates are expected to pay additional costs themselves.

Leiden University developed an overview of best practices for PhD candidates and their supervisors. These ‘rules of conduct’ emphasise the shared responsibility and expectations they both may have. See also the Golden Rules in short.

Golden Rules for PhD Supervision Leiden University

The online PhD Supervisor Handbook of Leiden University provides an overview of information relevant to the supervision process.

PhD Supervisor Handbook Leiden University