Start a PhD
Leuven: the place to go to for ambitious PhD candidates
Discover why PhD graduates chose KU Leuven and why they recommend it to others!
- KU Leuven is one of Europe's highest-ranked and most renowned universities. It can look back on a long tradition of pioneering research and high-quality education. Discover our strengths!
- Watch this video about doing a PhD at KU Leuven
- Watch this video about KU Leuven
- A PhD at KU Leuven: Something for you? - Watch the recordings of the Information Session
- How is Life @ KU Leuven ?
We bring out the genius in you!
You want to do a PhD in a stimulating and inspiring research environment and simultaneously acquire the professional skills you will need to further develop your career.
There are two ways to proceed:
Either you like to find out which options are available at KU Leuven
or you have a research topic in mind and want to find the right contact person.
Together with your future supervisor you can request permission to enrol as a PhD researcher. You must meet the following requirements:
• Either you hold a Flemish Master’s degree relevant to the doctoral research or an equivalent higher education degree from abroad and obtained at least a distinction or have distinguished yourself with high-quality scientific publications or design-oriented achievements,
• Or you have passed the predoctoral exam with the degree of distinction.
• You also sufficiently master the language of the discipline in order to be able to participate actively in the research.
Find an open position
The easiest way to start a PhD application is to find a vacant PhD position and apply online.
In principle, the PhD positions on the KU Leuven jobsite already have financing available (via the supervisor).
Please read through the details of the position very carefully and make sure you meet all eligibility criteria!
Find a Supervisor & Propose your own idea
If you did not find a vacant PhD position of your interest, you may directly contact a potential supervisor to discuss opportunities for PhD research in his/her research lab. Good starting points are:
Doctoral Schools
KU Leuven is organised in three main research domains: Humanities & Social Sciences; Biomedical Sciences; Science, Engineering and Technology.
Your choice of research topic defines the school you will be associated with.
Arenberg Doctoral School
Enabling young researchers to acquire scientific & technological
knowledge within all fields of Science, Engineering & Technology, ranging from curiosity-driven fundamental research to applied technological solutions, and social & industrial problems.
Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences
Supporting biomedical researchers in their exploration of the fundamental elements of living systems at all levels – from gene to cell, body and mind – and to translate that knowledge into improved healthcare.
Doctoral School for Humanities & Social Sciences
Investing in young scholars to achieve an open, inquisitive, and critical worldview, and encouraging them to play a meaningful role in society, both within and outside the academic world.
Joint PhD
Joint PhD programmes open up possibilities for doctoral researchers to jointly supervised degrees that enhance employability in an international context. Research experience at two different universities guaranteed!