Metadata
Title
How to become a PhD candidate
Category
graduate
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77bae3d1e2444dc09eadb995b6cbbf7c
Source URL
https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/phd-at-tue/how-to-become-a-phd-c...
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https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/phd
Crawl Time
2026-03-17T02:18:57+00:00
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How to become a PhD candidate

Source: https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/phd-at-tue/how-to-become-a-phd-candidate Parent: https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/phd

Becoming a PhD candidate

You have several options for pursuing a PhD at the Eindhoven University of Technology. Namely, you can become a PhD candidate with or without employment. Most PhD candidates are employed by TU/e. However, you can also become a PhD candidate by seeking funding yourself. Some PhD candidates work part-time on their PhD. Read on for more information about the admission requirements, the different options to get a PhD, and the support for international candidates.

What requirements do I have to meet?

The most important admission criteria are your scientific qualities: you must be familiar with the theory and methodology of your field of study. In addition, an education requirement applies. You must have a Dutch master's degree (old-style doctoral degree) or a foreign equivalent. Not every foreign preparatory and/or master's program automatically gives you access to a Dutch PhD track. This will be assessed per candidate. Since English is the working language in science, we expect a C1 level from our PhD candidates. Please read the job description(s) carefully for any additional requirements.

Employed by TU/e

Most PhD candidates join the university to complete a PhD program. In that case, you start by applying for an announced and specific PhD position. If you are accepted, you will have the status of an employee during your training. As a PhD candidate, you are a valued member of TU/e’s staff. You will receive a salary and excellent employee benefits. PhD candidates employed by the university spend a minimum of 10% of their time on teaching tasks.

A full-time PhD typically lasts four years. Sometimes you can apply for a PhD-TA (Teaching Assistant) position. In other cases, you may be able to change your contract to a PhD-TA track later. Naturally, in consultation with your supervisor and only if the department can facilitate this. A PhD-TA track takes five years. You can spread this extra year, which is entirely devoted to teaching, over the entire contract period.

[## 11 PhD positions in the excellence & sustainability programme of the section Mechanics of Materials of TU/e

Read more](https://www.tue.nl/en/working-at-tue/vacancy-overview/phd-in-the-excellence-sustainability-programme-of-the-section-mechanics-of-materials-of-tue)

[## 11 PhD positions in the excellence & sustainability programme of the section Mechanics of Materials of TU/e

Read more](https://internaljobs.tue.nl/en/internal-vacancies/phd-in-the-excellence-sustainability-programme-of-the-section-mechanics-of-materials-of-tue)

[## 18 PhD positions in the ThromboRisk MSCA Doctoral Network

Read more](https://www.tue.nl/en/working-at-tue/vacancy-overview/18-phd-positions-in-the-thromborisk-msca-doctoral-network)

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Without an employment contract

You can also become a PhD candidate without an employment contract at TU/e. In that case, you might have another agreement with TU/e or a third party to follow a PhD program. For example, you could have an employer who supports you financially. Or you receive a scholarship from another organization. You also have the option of not entering into a collaboration with a third party. However, you can sometimes receive material and/or financial support in that case.

If you do a PhD alongside other work, this usually extends your PhD track. Without an employment contract, you have no teaching obligations at TU/e.

Supervisor

Without an employment contract, you are responsible for finding a supervisor yourself. The first step is then to find a professor who is willing to advise you on your project. Depending on the type of research, TU/e may also appoint a supervisor.

Tuition fee

PhD candidates that are not hired by TU/e are required to pay an annual tuition fee. This fee covers supervision and operational costs.\ \ As of 1 January 2026, the fees are as follows:
Not on payroll (NOP) PhD category Scholarship PhD candidates
Annual tuition fee € 20.000
Annual tuition fee using expensive technology € 45.000
Not on payroll (NOP) PhD category Externally financed PhD candidates
Annual tuition fee € 20.000
Annual tuition fee using expensive technology € 45.000
Not on payroll (NOP) PhD category Self-funded external PhD candidates
Annual tuition fee € 7.000
Annual tuition fee using expensive technology € 32.000
Not on payroll (NOP) PhD category Annual tuition fee Annual tuition fee using expensive technology
Scholarship PhD candidates € 20.000 € 45.000
Externally financed PhD candidates € 20.000 € 45.000
Self-funded external PhD candidates € 7.000 € 32.000

PhD candidates on TU/e payroll (category 1) are exempted from paying the tuition fee for their entire employment contract. They will also not be charged a fee if they temporarily continue as NOP to finalize their dissertation after their employment contract ends.\ \ The tuition fee applies in the period between the start of the PhD trajectory to the date of the defense. The fee is paid annually. The department’s HR services will ensure that the applicable fee is communicated with the PhD candidate before their start and that the agreement is confirmed in writing.\ \ A waiver (an exemption or partial exemption from the annual tuition fee) may be granted by the managing director of the TU/e department. The waiver request must be submitted by the (intended) promotor before the start of the hiring process. Possible reasons to grant a waiver can be:

Important information for scholarship PhD candidates

Please note: As of July 1, 2024, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) will only accept scholarship PhD candidates if their scholarships meet the minimum amount required by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). For 2024, this minimum amount is €1613 per month. For more information, please read the attached FAQ. To discuss alternative options, please contact Margje Geurts at m.j.geurts@remove-this.tue.nl.

Support for internationals

Moving to another country, with its different habits, rules, and procedures, can be a big step. TU/e has a special support team to help you with your transfer. They can assist you with housing, residence and labor permits, and other practical matters. Additionally, TU/e promotes a healthy work-life balance and has many facilities to help you feel right at home.