PhD training

The PhD training consists of a cursory component and an individually supervised research component. In this latter component, the PhD candidate performs research under the supervision of the day-to-day supervisor and the promoter and the PhD candidate reports on his/her research finding.

During the cursory component, the PhD candidate attends courses given at his own institute or elsewhere. The cursory component consists of both specific training in the PhD candidate’s field of research, and training in general skills. The content and quantity of the cursory component depend on the starting qualifications of the PhD candidate and on the research requirements. The content and quantity of the research component are determined in consultation with the supervisor(s) and promoter(s) and are put down in writing in the Training and Supervision Plan. If necessary, this plan can be adjusted if the annual progress meetings with the PhD candidate and the supervisory team give rise to changes.

Training in the PhD candidate’s specific field of research will mainly be provided by national research schools and research networks, if necessary supplemented with training from the Research Master of the candidate’s own Graduate School or other Master programmes.

In general, a PhD candidate will be a member of one research school or research network. He/she can take the training courses provided by this school.

Links to pages about training courses of research schools, research institutes and research networks:

As a PhD candidate you can participate in several basic training courses in Groningen.

Academic Integrity

Participating in an Academic Integrity module is a mandatory part of the PhD training.

Language Centre

Academic writing skills, publishing in English, and academic presentation in English.

PhD Introductory Event

The Groningen Graduate Schools organizes an introductory event for new PhD candidates from all across the UG to get them acquainted with each other, the university and its surroundings.

Teaching courses

Educational Support and Innovation (ESI) offers courses for PhD candidates involved in teaching activities, supervision tasks, or simply those who are interested in teaching (but not actively involved in courses at the moment). ESI offers three PhD courses: Start to Teach, Start to Supervise, and Introduction to Teaching.

Career Perspectives Series

Career Perspectives Series provides training for PhDs in the area of soft-skills development and how to translate these skills to successful careers outside or inside academia.

University Library - Publishing your Research and Research Impact

The University Library offers courses and workshops on publishing, open access, and improving your visibility as a researcher (for example, using ORCID). All PhD candidates can participate in these courses.

Digital Competence Centre (DCC)

The Digital Competence Centre offers courses and workshops on data management principles, UG IT solutions for storing and handling research data, software management, data protection and privacy in research.

Courses from the (research) Master Behavioural and Social Sciences

All master’s courses are listed in the UG course catalog sytem Ocasys. Please visit the Ocasys website to find available master’s courses. Most research master courses are open to PhD students from the Graduate School of Behavioural and Social Sciences.

Part of performing research is presenting your research results to fellow-researchers. You also need to inform yourself of the latest results in their research. Therefore, it is essential for your PhD training that you take an active part in (international) conferences. On average, most PhD candidates attend a conference abroad once a year.