Once you have started your PhD track, one of the first requirements is to draw up an Education and Supervision Plan (ESP).

Why do I need an ESP?

You need to make agreements with your supervisor(s) and other members of the supervision team about both your personal development and training programme, as well as the supervision you receive. Both aspects are agreed upon in an ESP. The supervisor and PhD candidate will be jointly responsible. The obligation to draw one up applies to all PhD candidates who intend to graduate at Leiden University. 

When and how to draw up the ESP

Within 3 months of the start of the PhD track, you need to draw up the ESP. Only if you are an external and self-funded PhD candidate, you may draw up the ESP within 6 months.  

Together with the members of your supervision team, you draw up the document, by mutual agreement. Next, you need to have it signed by: 

• The PhD candidate
• The Supervision Team (Supervisor/Additional supervisor/Co-supervisor(s))
• The Scientific Director
• The Teaching Director

Once the ESP is completed, you have to upload it to LUCRIS. In the manual you’ll find more information on how this process works. 

Tips and templates

The ESP template can be found on the right side of this page. PhD candidates of LACDR and LIC may use their institute’s template.  You can find more general guidelines about the supervision plan on the university's Training and Supervision Plan-page. 

Do you still have questions? Please contact the staff members of the Graduate School. 

How to use the ESP

The ESP describes your supervisors, the supervisory planning, a general research plan and an overview of your training programme.

You use the ESP as a reference in your annual talks with your supervisor. The training programme is an important aspect of these talks. Together, you discuss whether you are on track and if any changes in your training programme are deemed necessary.  

In LUCRIS, both you and your supervisors can consult or update the ESP at any time during your PhD track.