Unlike in most countries, Dutch PhDs are usually employed at a research institute rather than registered as a student.

Recently, Dutch institutions have been experimenting with the concept of the PhD student as well. Vacancies for these PhD students are indicated by this icon.

The differences between the PhD students and the other PhD vacancies (without this icon) are:

  • PhD students have a student status rather than employee status at the institute. They pay tuition fees, which can be partly or fully waived by the institution;
  • PhD students write their own research proposal instead of taking part in existing research;
  • PhD students do not have to teach;
  • PhD students are not employed by the institute and therefore will not receive holiday allowance or pension rights. However, they are entitled to the same social protection as other PhDs in the Netherlands;
  • PhD students receive a scholarship for the period of four years.