Structure of the programme

The PhD programme is a four-year program of individual scientific research, individual supervision and classes. The programme is designed both to equip candidates with the skills required to undertake research for the PhD thesis and to develop in them the breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding their specific subject of research. In order to achieve the best results, we focus on a national, European as international interdisciplinary perspective by pooling the resources of top research institutes in the Netherlands (through the SENSE network), and internationally (through the International Network of Programs in Sustainability). The supporting institutes provide the PhD students with advanced training modules, top research advice, innovative think-tank activities, excellent assistance and supervision of the students.

The PhD programme consist therefore of coursework designed to improve the formal training necessary for the writing of a thesis and to equip candidates with the skills to undertake research and to master the journal literature; most importantly, the candidate is expected to perform high level research, and participate in seminars and/or workshops and finally submit a thesis. The students will be invited to prepare a PhD proposal, which includes the identification of a topic, discussion of the topical and methodological issues of the field in which the PhD will be pursued, and where appropriate, an identification of the data resources to be used or developed. The proposal will also identify further areas of formal (class work and workshops) and informal study to be pursued in the course of dissertation research and writing.

Upon acceptance of the proposal, students are admitted to the second stage of the PhD programme, which involves doing the research for and writing a dissertation. While working on the thesis, a student will meet regularly with one or more supervisors for guidance and to assess progress. Upon completion, the student defends the thesis before a committee composed of University of Maastricht and external faculty.