ku leuven phd dissertation

Formal guidelines for a PhD thesis

Please read this first:.

• Read art. 18 in the university doctoral regulations .
• Read the Guidelines in relation to GenAI at KU Leuven  and mention clearly where you used it in your manuscript.
• Make sure you mention the correct name of your Faculty and the correct name of your PhD title .
• As of 1 February 2015, a PhD thesis in Science, Engineering & Technology will no longer have a legal deposit number and ISBN. If you do insist on having an ISBN, check this webpage .
• You can find the KU Leuven logos here .
• Information about consistent language use in English and in Dutch .
• Database KU Leuven terminology .
• KU Leuven huisstijlhandboek (only available in Dutch)
• KU Leuven Marketing and Communications Office helps you with designing and ordering printing materials

In order for the doctoral candidate to be qualified to be awarded a doctoral degree, the doctoral research needs to be original work. Therefore, the doctoral dissertation needs to include all the necessary elements to assess the originality and the quality of the work.

Please: also take a look at article 18 in the university doctoral regulations .

The guidelines for language, size, design of cover and title page can be found below.

• There are no guidelines with regard to font size, linespace, etc.
• There is no Word template for the body of the text of the PhD manuscript (only in LateX).
• Check the regulations on Intellectual Property Rights; copyright; plagiarism; non disclosure; authorship, open access, etc.

The doctoral dissertation may be written in English or Dutch. However, it must be written in a language that all members of the Examination Committee master. If the dissertation is written in a language other than English or Dutch, the Supervisory Committee must be consulted and the language must be made known prior to the composition of the Examination Committee.

The final manuscript must be printed on paper of reduced size. Be sure to take this into account when selecting the size of the font and the spacing. Manuscripts have a standard width of 16 cm and standard height of 24 cm .

Exceptions :

• PhD manuscripts of the Geology division are printed on A4 format.
• PhD researchers from the Faculty of Engineering Science who do their research in the Department of Architecture do not need to submit a motivated request to deviate from the standard size of the PhD manuscript.
• Other deviations are only possible after the submission of a motivated request and its approval by the Faculty Doctoral Committee (recommended sizes: 24cm x 24cm, 19cm x 28cm and 28cm x 19cm).

Cover and title page

• Word template for the cover of the PhD thesis without pictures / with pictures .
• Word template for the title page (first page inside your PhD thesis): English - Nederlands .
• LaTeX template for a complete PhD thesis (with special thanks to Yves Frederix and Wannes Meert).
• ADS does not offer a template for the body of the PhD thesis. You may decide yourself on the font and size of the text, lay-out, margins, etc.
• The name of the supervisor and possible co-supervisors (as approved by the faculty doctoral committee) may be added on the cover under the header 'supervisors', but other additions are not allowed.
• Name or logo of companies or agencies may only be mentioned on the title page inside the manuscript, not on the front cover, spine or back cover.
• Please pay attention to the copyright law with regards to pictures and images.

The thesis needs to be consistent in relation to bibliographic and other references. Either a global list of bibliographic references is provided at the end of the thesis, or each chapter contains bibliographic references, but there cannot be a combination of these two methods of referencing. Finally, references to figures, tables, appendices, and similar structures need to be consistent.Below is a recommended list of contents for the body of the text. It is best to discuss this with your supervisor as well.

• Preface- Acknowledgements: The preface should summarise the general aim of the work. People, offices, companies and agencies who have awarded a doctoral scholarship (e.g. FWO, IWT) should be thanked for their support. However, the names of these people, offices, companies and agencies may only be mentioned with their explicit consent and after consultation with the supervisor.
• Abstracts or summaries in Dutch and in English (both the popularized and scientific abstract must be included): The popularized abstract should be approximately 1 page long with contents and language that's suited to a wider circle of readers (not experts in your field). It should be easy to understand and enjoyable to read. Look at it as an advertisement for your PhD project.  The scientific abstract should present the most important aims and conclusions of the dissertation in a brief text of ca. 2 pages.
• List of abbreviations and list of symbols: These are lists of the most important abbreviations and symbols used in the work, mentioning indices, meaning and measures used.
• Table of contents: The table of contents should be arranged neatly and must refer to the pages of the different sections (maximum three levels). Preceding chapter one, Roman numerals (I, II, ...) should be used for the page numbering. From chapter one onwards, Western Arabic numerals (1, 2, ...) should be used.
• A thorough introduction outlining the research in a larger context: Starting from a description of the state of the art in the domain, additionally, the research aims of the PhD are formulated. Furthermore, this includes the global approach and research methods.
• an accepted or submitted publication. This chapter can be a copy of the publication (given the publisher's permission if required) or can be adapted as to form or content;
• An original text which has not been published.
• An extensive conclusion , including a global discussion of the research results, a discussion of the implications of the PhD research and future perspectives in regards to follow-up research.
• Appendices: The appendices should include parts of the research which are essential for the work, but which may hamper the readability of the text, e.g. because of their length (mathematical deductions, experimental data, examples, figures, etc.).
• Curriculum vitae (optional)
• List of publications: (optional): The list of scientific publications by the doctoral researcher should be arranged according to the guidelines generally accepted in the relevant research domain.

Consistency in layout is an absolute requirement for the entire manuscript!

Do you have any questions about these guidelines, send an email to  Veronique Cortens

Doctoral dissertations at HIW

All theses available in FBIB can be found via Limo .  

• After searching for a keyword, the results can be filtered using the menu on the left side of the screen.
• Choose 'Source Type' > 'Dissertations': this way, you limit it to printed theses + e-papers."

Research master dissertations  

Click on the links below to find all "Research Master" dissertations (former MPhil)  defended at the Institute of Philosophy, during the last 10 years.

2017-2018  

2016-2017  

2015-2016  

2014-2015  

2013-2014  

2012-2013  

Doctoral dissertations 

Here you can find an overview of the doctoral dissertations defended at the Institute of Philosophy:

• 2021 - 2023
• 2015 - 2021
• 2010 - 2015
• 2005 - 2010
• 2000 - 2005
• 1990 - 2000
• 1980 - 1990
• 1970 - 1980
• before 1970

Read more   about how to write a master dissertation at the Institute of Philosophy.  Read more   about Research Master in Philosophy and Doctoral Programme at the Institute of Philosophy.

Scientific Publication

Publishing your research is important for disseminating your work and contributing to scientific progress in your field. Publications can take various forms, such as articles in scientific journals, contributions to a book or conference proceedings (i.e. a collection of scientific papers published in the context of a conference).

Criteria and assessment

P ublishing at least one international scientific contribution constitutes an important part of the PhD programme. The publication should meet the following criteria:

• the contribution is published or accepted for publication.
• the contribution should be scientific in nature and peer-reviewed.
• the contribution can take the form of a journal article, a book chapter or a conference proceedings article about your own research.
• the contribution should be aimed at an international audience and written in the language of the discipline.

The Faculty's Doctoral Committee needs to be able to assess whether your publication fulfills these criteria:

• In case of a journal article , we need details such as the name of the journal, authors, volume, etc. If the contribution is not yet published, please also include the acceptance letter from the editor. If the journal is not part of the Web of Science or VABB collection , we ask you to provide proof of peer review.
• In case of a book chapter , please include details of the book (title, editors, table of content) as well as proof of peer review. If the contribution is not yet published, please also include the acceptance letter from the editor.
• In case of a conference proceedings , include details about the conference (location, date) and proof of peer review. If the contribution is not yet published, please also include the acceptance letter from the editor.

What is peer review ? And what is proof of peer review?

Peer review.

The Faculty of Social Sciences applies the standards of the VABB and the BOF regulation to assess whether a publication meets cirteria to be   accepted as the doctoral programme's milestone scientific contribution:

The publication is publically available.

The publication is identifiable through an ISSN or ISBN.

The publication offers a contribution to the development of new insights or the application thereof.

The publication is judged before publication in a demonstrable process of peer review performed by researchers considered to be experts in their field. Peer review must be carried out by an editorial board, a fixed reading committee, external referees, or a combination of these. At least some input must be external to the research group and independent of the author(s). Peer review cannot be organised by the authors themselves.

The publication consists of at least four pages.

Proof of peer review?

Proof of peer review means that you provide:

• The peer review reports received from the editor or publisher;
• Any further information needed to allow us to assess the peer peer review process .

Based on the provided information, the Faculty's Doctoral Committee will assess whether the peer review fits the criteria mentioned above, and goes beyond editorial comments (few suggestions for improvement, language remarks, comments on references, layout,...).

As a researcher, you are responsible for keeping evidence of the peer review processes of your publications.

When do you need to provide such proof?

• In case of a journal article : if the journal you published in is not part of the Web of Science or VABB collection , we ask you to provide proof of peer review.
• In case of book chapters and conference proceedings , we always ask for proof of peer review.

PhD Training Activities Milestone

This component is part of the "PhD training activities" milestone in KU Loket. You must achieve the components of this milestone by the end of your PhD trajectory. The PhD researcher is responsible for keeping the necessary supporting documents to demonstrate the achievement of each component.

To validate this milestone in KU Loket, complete the "PhD Training Activities" template , attach the requested supporting documents and collect the required signatures. Merge the documents into one pdf and upload this pdf to KU Loket.

For the component scientific publication, you will be asked to attach the following documents to the completed and signed template:

• The text of the publication as published or accepted for publication
• When applicable, proof of peer review (please read the information provided above)

Make sure we can assess whether you meet the required criteria based on the provided information!

*** We are currently in a transition period. Depending on when you started your PhD, you might have submitted this component as a seperate milestone in KU Loket. Click here to find out what to do in which case ("How to achieve a milestone?" ) ***

Other relevant information: thesis, authorship policy and publication strategy

Doctoral thesis: monograph or a series of journal articles/book chapters.

In the final stage of your PhD, you will write a doctoral thesis containing the results of your own research activities. You examination committee will evaluate the quality of the work. Traditionally, scientific publications are part of the thesis.

You can either write a monograph or a series of journal articles/book chapters. You should decide in cooperation with your supervisor which option is most appropriate for you. The difference between the two options is explained below, also in regard to the required number of publications:

• A monograph is a text structured in various chapters with an overarching introduction and a conclusion of which the PhD candidate is the sole author. As part of the PhD programme, which you need to finalise before you are allowed to submit your thesis, the minimum requirement is one international scientific contribution that meets the criteria listed above. This publication can of course be part of the monograph.
• At least three journal articles and/or book chapters published in at least two different high-quality journals or by high-quality publishers. A maximum of one of the three accepted articles and/or book chapters can be a so-called " Stage 1 Registered Report " according to the applicable guidelines of the Centre for Open Science (COS) , provided that the complete article is part of the thesis.
• The other article(s) and/or book chapter(s) is/are in review.
• The PhD researcher should be first author of all four articles/book chapters. Two or more PhD researchers may be joint first authors, if this is explicitly indicated in the publication.
• The thesis consists of these articles/book chapters, traditionally supplemented with an overarching introduction and conclusion.

Co-authorship?

Both in the case of a monograph and a thesis based on journal articles/book chapters, it is possible that you include articles, book chapters or part of such texts that are published elsewhere and have been written with other authors, such as your supervisor, fellow PhD’s, postdocs or other researchers. In that case, you are required to clearly and concisely state the contribution of each author involved, in accordance with the KU Leuven policy on authorship and the accompanying authorship criteria. This statement should be submitted together with the thesis.

KU Leuven policy on authorship

The KU Leuven applies a strict policy on authorship, which the Faculty of Social Sciences adheres to. The policy includes standards for authorship, consisting of authorship criteria, rules regarding the order of authorship, and guidelines for disputes.

Although authorship practices differ from one setting to another, and individual situations often require judgment, variation in practices should be within these basic guidelines.

More information can be found here . We advise all PhD researchers to carefully read the KU Leuven policy statement and accompanying standards.

How many publications should I have and where should I publish?

These are difficult questions, especially for young researchers. We therefore advise you to discuss this with your (co-)supervisors, as they have the best view on what is appropriate and achievable within your discipline taking your research design into account.

Each scientific discipline has its own publication culture. These changes range from small differences in emphasis, to having little in common. Having sufficient knowledge of such cultures is deemed essential for a correct evaluation of the research output. Otherwise, publications that might be highly valued within one discipline, might be unjustifiably less appreciated by someone from another discipline with an alternate publication culture and strategy. 

The faculty therefore relies for the development of its research policy on several important publications trying to bridge the gap between various publication cultures: such as DORA , The Leiden Manifesto for research metrics and the research of the NWO (Dutch governmental organisation for scientific research) on the differences in publication cultures for social sciences and humanities. These findings and principles are endorsed by the faculty and should be kept in mind while reading this document.

The appreciation of types of publications is not uniform within and between the disciplines of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Even when publication cultures might resemble each other, small differences might influence the way research output is evaluated. Overall, the publication of journal articles in peer reviewed English scientific journals is highly valued within social sciences. Some (sub-)disciplines focus to a large extent on such publications, while others complement journal articles with other types, including books and book chapters, conference proceedings, publications in professional (non-academic) journals, and publications on other languages.

In addition to the type of publication, the value of (co-)authorship varies among (sub-)disciplines in social sciences. Where some disciplines have many single-author publications, multi-authorship is more common in other disciplines, while others still apply a mix of single author and co-authored publications.

Different obligatory components to complete your PhD

In order to successfully complete the doctoral education programme, you have to complete the components listed below. You should write down all activities completed for the doctoral training on the form 'doctoral training activity overview' (see forms ). At the end of the doctoral training, the doctoral committee of the research unit considers the overview of all the activities and evaluates whether you completed all obligatory components and can thus be allowed to defend.

There are 3 types of obligatory components:

University-wide requirements ('truncus communis') Arts Faculty requirements   Discipline-specific requirements

On top of this, every PhD researcher needs to re-enroll as a PhD student at KU Leuven every academic year! Check your student email account for instructions in the month of August. If you don't do this in time, you will lose access to your u-number, email account, KU Loket etc.

Truncus communis – KU Leuven-wide requirements

• It can be a co-publication, but you do need to be the main author (= the author who contributed most to the publication).
• The contribution must at least have been accepted for publication (possibly with ‘minor changes’, but not with ‘major changes’).
• The various research groups and research units of our faculty organise internal research seminars, forums or (semi-)annual research days. Presenting your research at these forums is considered as giving a seminar. Presentations at seminars at foreign universities or research institutes also count for this obligatory component. Other examples include: a guest lecture at a different university, an outreach activity (lecture) for a broader audience, giving a workshop to peers (e.g. in the context of a conference), a guest lecture in an MA course. Extensive presentations to the DBC (supervisory committee) also count as seminars. 'Normal' presentations at conferences do not count as seminars.
• giving at least one oral or poster presentation about your own research at an international scientific conference.
• All seminars of your own research group/unit can be considered as a series of seminars. Participation in summer/winter schools also counts for this obligatory component. In addition, doctoral students can make use of the training offer of the KU Leuven YouReCa Center for young researchers. This Center offers several courses organized in English.
• following the course component ‘ Central lecture Research integrity for starting PhDs ' during the first year of the doctoral programme.
• discussing, signing and uploading (via kuloket) the ' Charter of the PhD Researcher and the Supervisor ' during the first 3 months after starting the PhD.
• reporting on the progress of the doctoral research on a yearly basis via progress reports.

Arts Faculty requirements

• This component is only mandatory for PhD-students who started their PhD after 30 September 2017.
• Self-funded PhD-students who started their PhD before the 1st of January 2019 are exempt from this requirement.
• Are you working on a research project funded by the FWO? Participate in the Digital Scholarship module as soon as possible. The FWO requires you to submit a data management plan (DMP) within the first six months of the project, and the Digital Scholarship module will help you prepare this DMP.
• Obligatory for all PhD students who started during or after the academic year 2022-2023. Highly recommended for PhD students who started before 2022-2023 already.
• Explanation during the Digital Scholarship module.
• In the 'doctoral training activity overview' to be handed in when you request permission to defend your PhD (see forms page ), you will need to add the URL to the location where you've uploaded your research data (e.g. in RDR ).
• This component is mandatory for PhD students who started their PhD during or after the academic year 2017-2018.
• Self-funded PhD students are exempt from this requirement.
• If you're involved (or will be involved) in teaching activities such as giving seminars or supervising BA/MA theses, you can consider signing up for one or several teaching-related online modules called 'Start to teach', 'Supervising a master's thesis', 'activating your students' and 'supporting academic writing' (see overview ).
• ILT courses of the type 'Academic English for researchers' (e.g. 'abstract writing', 'academic writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences)
• Courses from the KU Leuven HR Department , under the heading 'Courses for researchers' (e.g. 'managing your PhD', 'stress and resilience for researchers', 'discover your career profile')
• Science Communication courses (inside/outside KU Leuven), e.g. by SciComm Academy .
• If there are interesting courses offered outside KU Leuven, please ask your Research Unit's PhD liaison whether they count. Be aware that the course should not be discipline-specific. MA-courses do not count either.

Discipline-specific requirements

Depending on your PhD programme, it is possible that there are certain specific requirements you will have to meet. These often consist of activities which are intended to help you integrate into your Research Unit (RU) or Group (RG), and to train the skills you will need to obtain the title of doctor in your field. In addition they will often help you to fulfill the requirements of the truncus communis.

Can't find your PhD programme in the list below? This means there are no additional obligations connected to it.

Chinese Studies

Cultural studies, Literature & Classical Studies

De doctoraatsopleiding Culturele Studies volgt de verplichtingen opgelegd door de OE Literatuurwetenschap en Culturele Studies:

Contact the PhD liaison at the start of your PhD together with your (co)promotor(s). He will give you more information regarding the 'Doctoral training programme in History'. This training programme is not mandatory, but follows an opt-in/op-out principle. PhD researchers who would like to complete their PhD independently, are not obligated to enroll. If you do enroll, you do sign up for the three-year trajectory. PhD students who choose to follow this training programme re-enroll every year.

You can find the most important deadlines below:

Next to this formal training programme, the RU of history also offers four practical workshops and discussion seminars. These are open to all PhD researchers, and participation is not mandatory. 

Art History

Once during their trajectory PhD researchers in Musicology present their research to the members of the RG (to other PhD students, postdocs, and ZAP members) during the doctoral seminar. These seminars are organised 2 to 3 times per semester. PhD researchers are expected to attend these seminars, even if they are not presenting.

Slavistic and Eastern European Studies

PhD students in Slavistic and Eastern European Studies are administratively speaking part of their supervisor's RU. Is your supervisor part of the RU of Translation Studies, for example? Then that is where you will need to submit your progress reports and your thesis defense application form. You will, however, not have to meet the discipline-specific requirements of the PhD programme in Translation Studies. There are no discipline-specific requirements of the PhD programme in Slavistic and Eastern European Studies. 

Linguistics

Check out this website for detailed information about obligatory components and other points of attention specifically for PhD researchers in Linguistics.

Translation Studies

The mandatory presentations in the first and fourth year will help PhD researchers in Translation Studies to fulfill requirement 2 of the truncus communis ("giving at least two seminars aimed at peers"). By participating in the CETRA summer school they meet requirement 4 ("following at least one seminar series or course component specifically organised for PhD researchers").

Additionally, they can choose to take part in the buddy programme for starting PhD researchers. 

Timeline of mandatory steps during the PhD

Please note: PhD students should annually take part in (i) a performance interview with their supervisor(s) and (ii) a feedback conversation with the head of their Research Unit. More information on this can be found here .

Archive doctoral dissertations

Archive of doctoral defenses of the past academic years:

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! 

Open PhD positions  >  

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:

• Key research areas at KU Leuven
• KU Leuven Organisational Chart
• Doctoral Defences

Find a supervisor  >

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.

More on Arenberg Doctoral School

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.

More on Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences

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.

More on Doctoral School for Humanities & Social Sciences

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!

Read more​​​​​

• Administrative Officers for Doctoral Studies
• Doctoral Ombuds
• Commission on Research Integrity
• Visiting for research or study

Doctoral process

• Regulations regarding the doctoral degree at KU Leuven
• Charter for the PhD researcher & the supervisor
• Interdisciplinary degrees

Career Development Initiatives

• Career Centre for Young Researchers
• Funding Opportunities

Regulation concerning the attainment of doctoral degrees at KU Leuven - 2022-2023

Regulatory Framework - from academic year 2022-2023

Subsection 0. Preamble

Article 0. preamble.

§1. These regulations concern the general requirements for attaining the university degree of doctor at the KU Leuven. Only if there are no specific provisions in these regulations, the Education and Examination Regulations also apply.

§2. Definitions: the terms and committees referred to in these regulations will be used as defined in these regulations.

§3. Communication with potential legal significance must be submitted in writing (preferably by email). If so desired, communication with the doctoral ombuds can be in person.

§4. In principle, the committees concerned decide collectively. If a collective decision cannot be reached, the majority vote decides. In the event of a tie the chairperson decides.

Subsection 1. Preliminary provisions

Article 1. scope.

The following topics are addressed: (1) preliminary provisions, (2) doctoral school and doctoral committee, (3) admission and enrolment, (4) supervision and progress, (5) doctoral programme, (6) thesis and public defence, (7) interdisciplinary degree, (8) joint PhD degrees, and (9) doctoral ombuds, appeal procedure and disciplinary regulation.

§2. Within the framework of these general regulations, the executive committees of the Groups can draw up and approve supplementary regulations if so advised by the respective doctoral schools and the Research Coordination Office. A supplementary regulation stipulates more specific provisions (hereinafter called "Particulars"). The "Particulars" are supplementary to the general provisions but shall in no case be incompatible. Additional provisions are not possible for Subsection 7 "Interdisciplinary degree" 'and Subsection 8 "Joint PhD degrees". Once a year, each executive committee of the Groups compiles all the changes to the supplementary regulations and puts them on the agenda for notice at the Executive Board and the Academic Council.

Article 2. Concept

The purpose of preparing a thesis and of the doctoral programme at KU Leuven is to train a researcher so they can contribute independently to the development of scientific knowledge. The thesis must demonstrate the capacity to create new scientific knowledge on the basis of independent scientific research.

The learning outcomes in the doctoral preparation, leading to the PhD, are stipulated in the Codex Hoger Onderwijs Art.II.141 5°:

• “the systematic understanding of a discipline and the ability to master skills and research methodologies in that discipline,
• the ability to design, develop, execute and adapt a wide-ranging research process with the integrity expected of a researcher,
• a contribution to moving the frontiers of science by performing original research in the shape of a wide-ranging body of work, part of which is worthy of a nationally or internationally peer-reviewed publication,
• the ability to critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise new and complex ideas,
• the ability to communicate with colleagues in the same discipline and in the wider scientific community both nationally and internationally and in society as a whole about the area in which one has expertise,
• the ability to deliver an innovative contribution within an academic and professional context, leading to technological, social or cultural advances in a knowledge society."

Article 3. PhD researcher

§1. The PhD researcher is expected:

• to conduct original and scientific research under the supervision of one or more supervisors and optionally one or more co-supervisors (see  Subsection 4 ).
• to successfully complete the doctoral programme (see  Subsection 5 ) with the aim of (i) expanding and deepening the knowledge of the PhD researcher within the research domain and (ii) acquiring various skills that will advance the quality and efficiency of doctoral research and promote the future professional career of the PhD researcher, within or outside the university.
• to write and successfully defend a thesis in public (see  Subsection 6 ).
• to adhere to the rules of scientific integrity.

§2. The PhD researcher complies with the provisions laid down in these regulations and its "Particulars" (see art. 1 , §2). The charter of the PhD researcher and the supervisor is also in force as an appendix to these regulations. The PhD researcher also complies with the other internal regulations of KU Leuven. If the PhD researcher has a staff category (as an employee or as a PhD scholarship holder), the regulations of these staff categories and the regulations and contractual obligations imposed by the relevant funder also apply.

§3. The PhD researcher is responsible for the administrative follow-up and documentation of the progress of the doctorate, via the KU Loket application "PhD progress”. 

Subsection 2. Doctoral School and Doctoral Committee

Article 4. doctoral school.

Each executive committee sets up a doctoral school at the level of the Group.

The responsibilities of the doctoral school include:

• organising and assuring the quality of the doctoral programme in partnership with the doctoral committees (see  Subsection 5 ),
• ensuring doctoral efficiency,
• assessing the interdisciplinary nature of the doctoral research in the context of the application for starting an interdisciplinary degree (see  Subsection 7 ),
• concluding partnership agreements in the context of joint PhD degrees (see  Subsection 8 ),
• monitoring the activities of the doctoral ombudspersons (see  art. 26 ),
• increasing the visibility and recognisability of doctoral research at KU Leuven with the aim of attracting research talent.

Article 5. Doctoral committee

The executive committee of the Group or the faculty council assemble a doctoral committee at the level of every faculty. The doctoral committee consists of members of the senior academic staff (ZAP) and representatives of the PhD researchers. The membership must represent the various research domains within the faculty.

The responsibilities of the doctoral committee include:

• authorising the enrolment of PhD students (see  art. 6  and  art. 8 ),
• authorising the enrolment of predoctoral students, stipulating the content and scope of the predoctoral exam, and evaluating whether the predoctoral exam has been passed (see  art. 7 ),
• approving the composition of the team of supervisors (see art. 11 ) and the supervisory committee (see  art. 12 ) and giving advice about the composition of the examination committee (see  art. 17 ),
• monitoring the progress reporting (see  art. 13 ),
• deciding to stop the doctoral process, excluding the specific competence assigned to the ad hoc committee (see  art. 26 ),
• deciding whether the doctoral programme has been completed successfully (see  Subsection 5 ),
• authorising a collaboration leading to the awarding of a joint PhD degree (see  Subsection 8 ),
• in the exceptional situation that a supervisor does not agree with the thesis, granting permission to the PhD researcher to submit the dissertation to the examination committee (see  art. 18  §5),
• taking note of the anonymised report from the doctoral ombudsperson (see  art. 26 ).

Subsection 3. Admission and enrolment

Article 6. admission requirements.

Together with the future corresponding supervisor (see  art. 11 ) the candidate requests permission from the doctoral committee of the faculty to which the corresponding supervisor is affiliated to enrol as a PhD researcher. The candidate must meet the following requirements:

• Either (1) the candidate must hold a Flemish Master’s degree relevant to the doctoral research or an equivalent higher education degree, and also have obtained at least a distinction or have distinguished him/herself with high-quality scientific publications or design-oriented achievements,
• Or (2) the candidate must have passed the predoctoral exam with the degree of distinction (see  art. 7 ).

The candidate must also have sufficiently mastered the language of the discipline in order to be able to participate actively in the research.

Article 7. Predoctoral period and predoctoral exam

The doctoral committee can invite a candidate to take a predoctoral exam if they are insufficiently convinced of the relevant academic and professional suitability and/or prior knowledge, and they deem it necessary for the candidate to obtain additional qualifications before being allowed to start the doctoral programme and doctoral research.

§1. The predoctoral exam assesses the suitability of the candidate to obtain the degree of doctor. The predoctoral exam is taken after a predoctoral period in which the candidate can acquire further skills by following specific course components, and developing a research project. The doctoral committee decides on the content and scope of the predoctoral period and the predoctoral exam.

§2. During the predoctoral period the candidate must enrol as a predoctoral student.

§3. For candidates from EEA countries (European Economic Area) the predoctoral period lasts a maximum of one year. For candidates from non-EEA countries, the predoctoral period lasts a maximum of two years.

§4. The predoctoral period ends with a predoctoral exam. The doctoral committee decides whether the candidate has passed the predoctoral exam. Candidates who pass the predoctoral exam with distinction are authorised to enrol as a PhD researcher. Candidates who do not pass the predoctoral exam with distinction can obtain a certificate of ‘research specialisation’ for the course components that were successfully completed.

Article 8. Enrolment

The PhD researcher is obliged to enrol every year as a PhD student . The initial enrolment can go ahead once the doctoral committee has given its authorisation (see art. 6 ). A PhD researcher with a doctoral scholarship or a research and teaching assistant position with doctoral finality, must enrol at the latest on the day that the scholarship or research and teaching assistant position begins.

The PhD researcher pays  course fees  at the first enrolment and in the academic year during which the public defence takes place. The interim enrolments are free of charge. Re-enrolment depends on a progress report approved within the previous year.

Article 9. Start of the doctoral period

The doctoral period starts at the beginning of the doctoral scholarship or the research and teaching assistant position with doctoral finality, and for others on the date of the first enrolment as a PhD researcher (see  art. 8 ).

Article 10. Duration of the doctoral period

A PhD researcher with a full-time research assignment obtains the doctoral degree in principle within a period of four years.

Subsection 4. Supervision and progress

Article 11. supervisor and co-supervisor.

§1. The PhD researcher is supervised by one or more supervisors, one of whom is appointed as corresponding supervisor. One or more co-supervisors can also be assigned. In total there can be no more than four (co-)supervisors.

The (co-)supervisors are jointly responsible for monitoring the substance of the doctoral project  and the material and intellectual climate in which the PhD researcher develops and conducts their research project. The (co-)supervisors have a stimulating, coordinating, and evaluating role throughout the doctoral process. In addition, the (co-)supervisors should ensure that the PhD researcher can also acquire other skills as part of their programme which are essential from a career perspective, so as to be able to move smoothly to another position, within or outside of the academic world, after the doctoral programme. Each (co-)supervisor signs the charter of the PhD researcher and the supervisor .

§2. Despite this joint responsibility of the (co-)supervisors, the following distinctions may be made upon the basis of a difference in contributions and formal qualifications:

• The corresponding supervisor and the other supervisors each make a substantial contribution to the doctoral project as such.
• The corresponding supervisor acts as a contact point, bears the final responsibility for the supervision of the doctoral project, and coordinates the team of (co-)supervisors.
• The co-supervisors make additional substantive contributions to the doctoral research.

§3. The corresponding supervisor and the other supervisors belong to the permanently appointed senior academic staff of KU Leuven. ZAP with provisional appointment can be supervisors if the suspected duration of their appointment is at least four years from the start of the doctoral period. Tenure track ZAP and ZAP appointed with the prospect of a permanent appointment are equivalent to permanent ZAP and can therefore be supervisors. Persons with the title ‘special guest professor in the arts’ can act as the supervisors of PhD researchers in the arts.

The corresponding supervisor is affiliated to the faculty in which the doctoral degree is awarded. A motivated exception can be requested ad hoc, per doctoral project, from the executive committees of the Group in question.

If the corresponding supervisor leaves KU Leuven during the doctoral period, a new corresponding supervisor is appointed.For emeritus/a professors  the terms and conditions for being a supervisor are described in the  emeritus professors’ policy  of KU Leuven.

§4. In principle, co-supervisors have a doctorate. The doctoral committee may allow an exception to this on the basis of specific competences

§5. The (co-)supervisors are appointed by the doctoral committee. In order to change the composition during the term of the PhD, the current and future members, together with the PhD researcher, submit a reasoned request for change to the doctoral committee for approval.

Article 12. Supervisory committee

The doctoral committee appoints a supervisory committee for every PhD researcher at least one month before the first progress report (see  art. 13 ). The supervisory committee consists of the (co-)supervisors and at least two other members. The doctoral committee ensures that the supervisory committee is sufficiently diverse, and doesn't consist exclusively of members of the same research group. The corresponding supervisor ensures that no conflicts of interest arise. The composition can be changed during the doctoral programme.

The responsibility of the supervisory committee is to monitor the progress of the doctoral research by means of the annual progress report (see  art. 13 ). The PhD researcher or (co-)supervisors can also appeal to the members of the supervisory committee for additional discussions.

Article 13. Progress reports

The first progress report takes place at the latest one year after the start of the doctoral period and consists of an oral or written presentation on the research undertaken or still to be done. The results determine whether the doctoral programme and the preparation for the thesis can be continued or not. The evaluation takes place on the basis of two criteria: (1) the progress made in the doctoral research, and (2) the advances made in academic ability and research maturity by the PhD researcher.

Subsequently the PhD researcher reports on an annual basis on the progress of the doctoral research, and in addition, if required, when applying for or extension of a scholarship or mandate.

Every progress report is validated by the (co-)supervisors , and assessed by the other members of the supervisory committee. The result is substantiated and recorded in writing and sent to the PhD researcher and the doctoral committee.

The supervisory committee may advise to stop the doctoral process in case of insufficient (expected) progress. In that case, the PhD researcher has the right to express their comments regarding this advice in writing and to submit it to the doctoral committee within seven calendar days following notification of the supervisory committee's opinion. These comments are added to the report of the doctoral committee. If the PhD researcher wishes to initiate a mediation procedure with the doctoral ombudsperson (see art. 26 ), this must be done within seven calendar days following notification of the opinion of the supervisory committee.

Subsection 5. Doctoral programme

Article 14. doctoral programme.

§1. The doctoral programme is obligatory and must be successfully completed before the PhD researcher is permitted to submit the thesis and defend it in public.

§2. The doctoral programme consists of a truncus communis (see art. 15 ) and a supplementary part (see  art. 16 ). The PhD researcher can only complete the doctoral programme if all the elements of the truncus communis are completed. The doctoral committee can on an individual basis grant a (partial) exemption of the doctoral programme or set a substitute assignment, on the basis of a motivated application by the PhD researcher and in consultation with the (co-)supervisors.

§3. The PhD researcher reports to the doctoral committee on the progress made within their doctoral programme. On the basis of this report, the doctoral committee will decide whether the PhD researcher has completed the doctoral programme.

Article 15. Content of the truncus communis

The truncus communis consists of at least the following elements:

• the writing of at least one scientific publication at an international level or a similar achievement at an international level. By a publication at international level is meant: a peer-reviewed contribution (journal article, contribution to a book, conference proceedings, patent, design) about their own research and written in the language of the discipline. The contribution is aimed at an international audience. In order to be able to successfully complete the doctoral programme, the contribution must be published or be accepted for publication,
• giving at least two seminars, either about their own research, or on a more general theme,
• giving at least one oral or poster presentation at an international scientific conference,
• following at least one seminar series or course component specifically organised for PhD researchers,
• following the course component "Scientific integrity for starting PhDs" during the first year of the doctoral programme.
• reporting on the progress of the doctoral research as specified in  art. 13 .

The executive committees of the Groups can add more specific provisions or additional components to the truncus communis in their Particulars (see  art. 1  §2).

Article 16. Content of the supplementary part

The supplementary part consists of additional activities and training that the PhD researcher follows as part of the doctoral research and/or as a preparation for a career within or outside the university. The PhD researcher is ultimately responsible for the supplementary part. The supplementary part should not be in conflict with the status of the PhD researcher and must not hinder the progress and quality of the doctoral research.

Subsection 6. Thesis and public defence

Article 17. examination committee.

§1. The Rector appoints an examination committee for every PhD researcher on the recommendation of the doctoral committee. The Rector may delegate this authority.

• The chairperson of the examination committee belongs to the senior academic staff of the KU Leuven and is affiliated to the faculty which will award the doctoral degree. The chairperson does not belong to the same research group as the (co-)supervisors and the PhD researcher, and is not a member of the supervisory committee. The chairperson does not act as a direct evaluator and only in case of a tied vote the chairperson takes the decision.
• At least one member of the examination committee does not belong to KU Leuven, nor, in the case of a joint degree (see art. 25), to the institution awarding the joint degree.
• Members of the supervisory committee may be members of the examination committee.
• The examination committee may not consist exclusively of members of the same gender, except in demonstrably special circumstances.
• The corresponding supervisor ensures that no conflicts of interest arise.

§2. The responsibilities of the examination committee include:

• evaluating the thesis (see  art. 18  and  19 ),
• taking part in the public defence (see  art. 20 ),
• deciding whether or not to grant the doctoral degree after the public defence (see  art. 20 ).

Article 18. Thesis

§1. The thesis is an exam piece that must allow the examination committee to assess the quality of the doctoral research.

§2. The  regulations with regard to PhD thesis copyright  must be respected. Own publications can be included as a chapter in a thesis, in which case it should be indicated in which publication channel the research has already been published and what the PhD researcher contributed.

§3. The  regulations on intellectual property rights to research results  including copyright apply, and PhD researchers who do not receive a salary or scholarship from KU Leuven must sign a written agreement at the beginning of their doctoral research as specified in this regulation if the results of the doctoral research have to be protected.

§4. The Group or faculty checks the thesis for plagiarism, i.e. appropriation of the work (ideas, texts, structures, designs, images, plans, code, …) of others or of a previous work of the PhD researcher themself, in an identical or slightly modified form, without sufficient reference to the source. If plagiarism or any other breach of scientific integrity is identified in the thesis, the Group or faculty will inform the examination committee (see art. 17 ). If plagiarism or other breaches of scientific integrity are found in publications already published by the PhD researcher, the Group or faculty will also inform the Commission on Research Integrity .

§5. The PhD researcher submits the thesis after consultation with the corresponding and any other supervisors. If a supervisor does not agree with the thesis, the PhD researcher is still entitled to turn to the doctoral committee. The doctoral committee will ask for the opinion of the PhD researcher, the (co-)supervisors and the other members of the supervisory committee. Only if it considers that a supervisor's refusal is manifestly unreasonable, will the doctoral committee grant permission for the thesis to be submitted to the examination committee.

Article 19. Evaluation of the thesis

On the basis of the thesis the examination committee can take the following decisions:

• the thesis is approved , possibly on condition that minor changes are made: the PhD researcher is permitted to publish the thesis and defend it publicly.
• the thesis is approved on certain conditions : the PhD researcher must make changes to the thesis taking into account comments made by the examination committee and ensure that the adapted version is given to the examination committee for final approval. If, after the second assessment, the thesis is still not approved without reservation or with minor changes, it may be rejected definitively.
• the thesis is not approved : the PhD researcher can submit a new or thoroughly amended thesis for evaluation by the examination committee in line with the above procedure. If the thesis is not approved after the second evaluation, it can be permanently rejected.

The chairperson sends the PhD researcher a written report giving an overview of the changes to be made, or the reasons for the thesis not being approved.

Article 20. Public defence

§1. During the public defence the PhD researcher gives a short presentation about the thesis. Thereafter a discussion follows with the members of the examination committee. At the end the public is given the opportunity to ask questions.

The examination committee deliberates immediately after the public session and decides whether or not the PhD can be awarded the degree of doctor. A report is drafted and signed by all members of the examination committee present. The result is announced in public immediately after the deliberation.

§2. During the public defence, an integrity statement is pronounced by the chairperson of the examination committee. If plagiarism or any other breach of scientific integrity is identified after the doctoral degree has been awarded, this must be reported to the Committee of Scientific Integrity. In the event of serious fraud, the awarding of a degree can be rescinded along with any credit or other certificates and diplomas that have been awarded in association with the programme.

§3. Doctoral students who have successfully defended their thesis may, if the faculty or department provides for it in the details of the doctoral regulations, receive reimbursement of expenses in accordance with the manual " Operating Costs – Budgets for Doctoral Students ". Reimbursement is limited to the maximum amount specified in the particulars for the Group, department or faculty concerned.

Subsection 7. Interdisciplinary degree

Article 21. interdisciplinary degree.

§1. If the PhD researcher conducts interdisciplinary research, regardless of whether the research takes place in one or more faculties, this can be recognised by the awarding of a ‘combined doctorate title’, consisting of combinations of existing doctoral titles. A combined doctorate title can only be awarded once the PhD researcher concerned has been authorised to undertake an "interdisciplinary degree" (see art. 22 ) and once this is successfully completed.

§2. In order to be recognised as interdisciplinary, the doctoral research must satisfy the following two minimum criteria for interdisciplinarity:

• The disciplines and expertise that are combined in the research proposal are sufficiently different,
• The input of expertise, knowledge and methodologies from each of the disciplines in question is equally necessary and the execution of the research proposal is only possible by means of an integrated, concerted approach. It should not be the case that any of the disciplines involved acts as an auxiliary science.

Article 22. Authorisation for an interdisciplinary degree

§ 1. The admissions procedure consists of two consecutive approvals:

• The corresponding and other supervisors (see  art. 24 ) submit an application for an interdisciplinary degree to the three doctoral schools. The directors of the three doctoral schools assess the interdisciplinary nature of the doctoral research on the basis of the abovementioned criteria and give a joint, binding, and motivated opinion (see art. 21 ). In principle, they take a collective decision. If this is not possible, the decision is taken by majority vote. If the opinion is negative, the interdisciplinary degree cannot be started.
• If a positive opinion is given by the doctoral schools, the candidate and corresponding supervisor (see  art. 24 ) request authorisation from the doctoral committee of the corresponding faculty (see  art. 23 ) to enrol as a doctoral student (see art. 6 ). If the supervisors are affiliated to separate faculties, the candidate must go through the admissions procedure for each of the faculties concerned.

The admissions procedure is explained in more detail in the  practical guidelines concerning interdisciplinary degrees .

§2. A PhD researcher wishing to submit an application for an interdisciplinary degree in the context of an ongoing doctorate can do so up to one year after starting the doctoral programme (see  art. 9 ).

Article 23. Corresponding faculty

§1. If a combination of doctoral titles awarded by different faculties is desired, then one faculty is appointed as corresponding faculty. The corresponding faculty is appointed after consultation between supervisors, and the doctoral schools must agree to this proposal.

If, in the course of an ongoing doctorate, a PhD researcher switches to an interdisciplinary degree, the faculty in which the PhD researcher started the doctoral research is appointed as corresponding faculty.

§2. The doctoral committee of the corresponding faculty accepts the responsibilities stipulated in articles  5  (provisions 3-9),  13 ,  14 ,  17 ,  18 ,  22 ,  25 ,  26  and  27 .

§3. The doctoral title awarded by the corresponding faculty appears first in the combined doctoral title.

Article 24. Additional provisions for interdisciplinary degrees

The Particulars and procedures of the corresponding faculty are applicable for the term of the doctorate, unless otherwise decided in a consultation between the doctoral committees involved. The following also applies:

• Interdisciplinary doctoral research is monitored by supervisors, each of whom represents one of the disciplines in question. The supervisor belonging to the corresponding faculty (see  art. 23 ) is appointed as corresponding supervisor.
• When appointing other members of the supervisory committee (see  art. 12 ), an additional requirement applies, namely that each of the disciplines concerned must be represented.
• On the basis of each annual progress report, the supervisory committee assesses whether the research still meets the minimum criteria for interdisciplinarity, and makes special mention of this in its report. If the minimum criteria for an interdisciplinary degree are no longer met, the enrolment for an interdisciplinary doctoral title can be stopped, and all faculties involved as well as the doctoral schools must be informed. This does not automatically mean that the doctorate is stopped; if it meets all quality criteria in all other respects, it can be continued as a normal, single-discipline doctorate.
• Within the context laid down in this regulation and the Particulars of the corresponding faculty, an interdisciplinary programme for the doctoral degree is put together by the PhD researcher and the supervisors, with equal input from all the disciplines in question. During the first progress report, the programme is presented to the supervisory committee for an advice. The doctoral programme should under no circumstances result in a double workload for the PhD researcher. This also applies to supervision, teaching assignments, etc.
• When forming the examination committee, the following additional stipulations apply: (a) the chairperson is affiliated to the corresponding faculty, (b) in addition to the (co-)supervisors, each discipline concerned is represented in the examination committee by at least one member with voting rights, and (c) if several faculties are involved, at least two members with voting rights must not belong to the corresponding faculty, and at least one of those must not be affiliated to the KU Leuven.

Subsection 8. Joint PhD degrees

Article 25. joint phd degrees.

§1. KU Leuven wishes to increase its profile both nationally and internationally. To this end, it stimulates all research to achieve excellence and tries to create the best possible conditions in order to enable "peaks" within this top research, fields in which KU Leuven is an international leader. Joint PhD degrees are an important instrument in this respect. 

§2. In the case of a joint PhD degree, the PhD researcher prepares a thesis at KU Leuven, in collaboration with (an)other domestic or foreign institution(s). The institutions involved award the degree of doctor in the event of a successful defence.

§3. The universities involved always award their own doctoral degrees. Each institution  awards its own degree with the mention of its own doctoral title, with a clear reference to the joint nature of the doctoral process at the institutions involved. The doctoral degrees may also be listed together on one joint degree document.

§4. A joint PhD degree presupposes a substantial collaboration between the research groups and the supervisors involved, with efficient support in the involved institutions from the initial phase: close collaboration in the field of research with the research group in the partner university, agreements on joint supervision and mobility aspects, agreements on progress reporting, the appointment of the (co-)supervisors, the composition of the supervisory committee and the examination committee, the applicable IP regulations, the doctoral programme, the form of the thesis and the organisation of the defence. The specific terms and conditions of the cooperation are stipulated in an individual cooperation agreement between KU Leuven, the other institution(s) and the PhD researcher. The negotiation of this agreement is coordinated by the doctoral school concerned.

§5. The (co-)supervisors are appointed at an inter-university level, with at least one supervisor from each institution involved. The (candidate) PhD researcher, together with the (future) corresponding supervisor, requests permission from the doctoral committee to prepare a joint thesis. The doctoral committee may decide:

• to approve the application.
• to approve the application on the condition that KU Leuven is the home institution (see art. 25 §6).
• not to grant permission for a joint thesis.

In principle, the corresponding supervisor submits the application for a joint PhD degree at the same time as the application for academic admission (see art. 6 ) and in any case within the first year of the doctoral period (see art. 9). Permission to prepare a joint thesis is only valid if the candidate receives academic admission.

§6. The home institution assumes the main responsibility in the follow-up of the doctoral process, the appointment of the (co-)supervisors, the composition of the supervisory committee and the examination committee, as well as the organisation of the evaluation process of the thesis. In principle, enrolment fees are paid at the home institution and the public defence takes place there. The main institution acts as the contact point for the PhD researcher.

The doctoral committee determines which institution is the home institution and which is the host institution based upon one or more parameters:

• Funding: the institution which funds (the majority of) the doctoral research or the institution to which the supervisor, who initiated the application for external funding, belongs;
• Attendance: the institution where most of the doctoral research takes place, where the PhD researcher is primarily present;
• Start: the institution where the PhD researcher has started the PhD research, where the PhD researcher is enrolled.

If these criteria are not sufficient to distinguish between the partners involved, one institution is designated as the home institution by mutual agreement.

§7. If KU Leuven is appointed as the home institution , the PhD researcher  complies with the general provisions stipulated in this regulation and its "Particulars".

If KU Leuven is designated as the host institution , the doctoral student follows the regulations and guidelines of the home institution. In that case, KU Leuven will impose the following set of fixed criteria on the PhD researcher university-wide:

• sign the charter of the PhD researcher and the supervisor (see art. 3 §2);
• put together a supervisory committee with members from the institutions involved;
• enrol annually as a PhD researcher at the KU Leuven (see art. 8 );
• follow the course "Scientific integrity for starting PhDs" (see art. 15 .5);
• with the focus upon cooperation with the partner institution
• formally approved with brief comments by the supervisors involved
• conduct research at the KU Leuven for at least 6 months;
• actively participate in an international conference;
• make an oral presentation to the supervisory committee during the stay at the KU Leuven;
• write a peer-reviewed publication (published or accepted for publication);
• put together an examination committee with members from the institutions involved and at least one additional member from a third party;
• present the thesis to the examination committee via an oral or written procedure in order to be admitted to the public defence;
• submit the thesis to the KU Leuven (with the KU Leuven logo, the name of the faculty, the name of the (co-)supervisor(s) and the doctoral title awarded by KU Leuven on the cover);
• have the thesis subjected to plagiarism control;
• upload the digital version of the thesis onto Lirias.

No other "Particulars" by the KU Leuven Group or faculty involved are allowed (see art. 1 §2).

§8. In the case of collaboration with a Flemish university, the rules and guidelines of the main institution are followed in full. No additional criteria/particulars (from Group or faculty) are imposed by the other institution. However, there must always be

• academic admission from the institutions involved;
• an application for a joint PhD degree at the KU Leuven;
• members from the institutions involved serving on the supervisory and examination committees and that these committees must be officially approved by the appropriate authorities in each institution;
• a mandatory publication requirement (even if the home institution does not have one) regardless of whoever acts as the home institution.

Subsection 9. Doctoral ombuds, appeal procedure and disciplinary regulation

Article 26. doctoral ombuds.

§1. The  doctoral ombudsperson  is the first point of contact for all concerned to discuss difficulties, problems and disputes in the doctoral process. The doctoral ombudsperson can help to clear up any misunderstandings, can mediate between the parties involved and can help to find a solution that is acceptable to all parties involved.

It is preferable to contact the doctoral ombudsperson of the faculty or Group to which you are affiliated, but you may also contact the doctoral ombudsperson of another faculty or Group.

The doctoral ombudsperson is not competent for substantive problems related to the doctoral programme. For this purpose, you should contact the supervisory committee and/or the doctoral committee.

§2. The executive committee of the Group appoints one  doctoral ombudsperson  per faculty or per Group. The doctoral ombudsperson belongs to the ZAP of the KU Leuven, including emeriti with assignment. The doctoral ombudsperson is not part of the Board of Trustees and the administrative bodies as defined in the  KU Leuven Statutes .

§3. At times it might not be possible to resolve a conflict through mediation. In such cases the doctoral ombudsperson or another member of the Unit of Confidence writes up a report, which is put before an ad-hoc committee, consisting of the dean, the department chair, the research coordinator, the director of the doctoral school and the chair of the doctoral committee of all entities concerned, who together make a binding decision after hearing (in writing or orally) the parties involved.  The ad hoc committee is convened by the research coordinator and strives for a consensus decision. The ad hoc committee has the widest possible decision margin in order to formulate an adequate solution to the identified problem. It is only possible to appeal against this decision internally, insofar as the decision affects the study progress of the doctoral programme or leads to the discontinuation of the doctoral process (see  art. 27 ).

If one of the members of the ad-hoc committee has to withdraw from the committee, this member will not be replaced, except when the number of remaining members of the committee falls to less than half. In that case, the ad hoc committee is supplemented with other persons affiliated to the faculty, which, on the basis of their expertise, are chosen by the remaining members of the ad hoc committee.

§4. The doctoral ombudsperson and everyone involved in the mediation must exercise discretion. As a result, at any stage of the mediation, only people who are directly involved are notified. The doctoral ombudsperson sends a general and completely anonymous report of their activities to the doctoral committee every year. The doctoral committee discusses this report and sends it to the doctoral school, the executive committee of the Group and the Vice Rector for Research Policy.

Article 27. Appeal procedure

§1. According to the procedure below an appeal is only possible against the following decisions of the doctoral committee and the examination committee (Higher Education Codex Art.I.3 69°):

• a study progress decision affecting the doctoral programme, as described in  art. 14  of this regulation,
• the discontinuation of the preparation of the thesis,
• the final result of the public defence.

§2. A PhD researcher can launch an internal appeal against a decision as mentioned above with the Vice Rector for Student Affairs. The PhD researcher is informed of this possibility in the notification of this decision. If the Vice Rector for Student Affairs is an interested party, he/she is replaced by the Vice Rector for Research Policy.

§3. The PhD researcher must submit the appeal by e-mail within seven calendar days from the day after which the decision of the doctoral committee, the ad hoc committee or the examination committee was made known. In their complaint the PhD researcher includes at least a factual description of the invoked objections.

§4. The Vice Rector for Student Affairs hears all parties in question as far as they deem necessary and in each case the PhD researcher except in case of inadmissibility of the submitted appeal. The internal appeal procedure results in:

• The motivated rejection of the appeal on grounds of unacceptability or unsubstantiated claims. This decision is brought to the attention of the PhD researcher by e-mail within twenty calendar days from the day after which the internal appeal was launched.
• A new decision by the Vice Rector for Student Affairs. The Vice Rector together with the Research coordinator of the Group in question or the ZAP member appointed by him/her tries to find a solution. If no consensus can be reached, the Vice Rector takes an autonomous decision. The new decision must be taken within twenty calendar days, starting from the day after the internal appeal was launched with the Vice Rector for Student Affairs and is also made known to the PhD researcher within this period. The e-mail address which the PhD researcher used to submit their appeal is used for this purpose.

The internal appeal body can inform the PhD researcher within the time available to them that it will make a pronouncement at a later date. In that case the term for external appeal only starts the day after that date.

§5. After exhausting this internal appeal procedure the PhD researcher can appeal the day after the decision of the Vice Rector for Student Affairs or after the expiration of the term in which the Vice Rector for Student Affairs could take a new decision, to the Appeals Council for Study Progress Decisions in compliance with the Higher Education Codex as codified on 11 October 2013.

In the event of disputes between the PhD researcher and the KU Leuven apart from the  Appeals Council for Study Progress Decisions , only the Leuven courts have jurisdiction.

Article 28. Disciplinary regulation

The  disciplinary regulation  of KU Leuven also applies to PhD researchers. The disciplinary regulation applies to the AAP in addition to the provisions that apply via the  Academic staff regulations .

You can rewatch some of our recent PhD defences on our YouTube Channel! 

PhD theses by researchers of the Institute of Astronomy (since the year 2000)

Dissertation (& templates)

Dissertation.

You will have to write a dissertation on your master’s thesis. A dissertation is a scientific report in which you contextualize the problem formulation and research questions which define your master’s thesis; you situate your research vis-à-vis the state-of-the-art and relevant literature; you discuss the methods you used to tackle the research questions; you display and critically discuss the results; and, finally, you formulate your conclusions. The dissertation contains 10.000 to 25.000 words. These limits are guidelines rather than strict rules. Depending on the type of master’s thesis and the writing style you employed, the number of words may fall outside this range.

If you are registered in the Dutch-language study programme, as a rule, you will write your dissertation in Dutch. With permission from your supervisor and co-supervisor, however, you may also write it in English. In this case you will still use the Dutch-language title page and mention your Dutch-language study programme on it.

If you are registered in an English-language study programme, you will write your dissertation in English and use the English-language title page.

Writing a dissertation of sufficient scientific quality may take longer than you expect. Don’t postpone writing it till just some weeks before the deadline; start in time and make sure you have clear agreements with your mentor(s) and/or (co-)supervisor(s) about when you can send them fragments from the paper. Also make agreements on what kind of feedback they could provide on your text. Before you hand in your master’s thesis your mentor(s) and supervisor(s) should have had the opportunity to look over the final version.

It may be useful to have somebody else read through your paper, to check whether or not it is clear and doesn’t contain any language errors. After so many readings you often start to miss them yourself.

If you are registered in a Dutch-language study programme, you are also required to write the following summaries:

• a short, Dutch-language summary (max. 3500 characters).
• a short, English-language summary (translation of the Dutch-language summary, max 3500 characters).

Both summaries have to be uploaded at KU Loket under ‘samenvatting’ and 'vertaalde samenvatting' respectively (see 'handing in your master's thesis' ). Those summaries may be used by KU Leuven to inform wider groups of people (such as the press).

If you are registered in an English-language study programme, you should only write a short English-language summary (max. 3500 characters). This short summary has to be uploaded at KU Loket under ‘summary’.

The template below shows where the summaries are to be placed within the paper.

Attention!  If you are registered in the Dutch-language study programme, as a rule, you will write your dissertation in Dutch. With permission from your supervisor and programme coordinator, however, you may also write it in English. In this case you will still use the Dutch-language title page and mention your Dutch-language study programme on it . If you are registered in an English-language study programme, you will write your dissertation in English and use the English-language title page.

SUMMARY OF THE GUIDELINES FOR THE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE PROGRAMME

Below you can find a file with stylistic guidelines on the master’s thesis. It contains guidelines concerning form and structure, figures and tables, and formulas and references. These guidelines are to be followed strictly. The file itself complies with the prescribed stylistic guidelines, so you are advised to use this file as a starting point for writing your master’s thesis. You can find both a Word-template and a LaTeX-template for your campus below.

Engineering Technology

• If your master’s thesis is under embargo, you are to use a specific template (which also mentions the embargo on the title page)
• If you have completed your master's thesis on another campus, you must use the template (the title page) of your home campus, as you will obtain your diploma there.
• You are to fill out the title page with correct information (name, title, supervisor, …)
• You have to use the right titles of your (co-)supervisor(s). Herewith all titles have to start with a capital letter. Only behind the title 'Prof.' a full stop is placed, behind the other titles not, e.g. Prof. Dr Ir . 
• The cover (title page and back page) is to be colour printed on white paper. You can find more information on Toledo (courses and communities of the master's thesis) or the webpages of your campus.
• You are not to add company logo’s to the title page

You can use  your campus's ppt-template  for your PowerPoint presentation.

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Translations

Erasmus Dissertation (B-KUL-I07A5B)

Previous knowledge

Is included in these courses of study.

The Erasmus Dissertation is open to holders of a bachelor’s degree in Sciences. A minimum stay of one semester is required.

Students can take additional courses up to 30 ECTS credits when staying for two semesters.

Students must present evidence of competency to study in English or Dutch. 

To be admitted for an Erasmus Dissertation, prior written approval of a member of the academic staff of the Faculty, acting as a promotor for a specified subject, is required. The subject of the Dissertation must be agreed on with this promotor. Students should inquire individually with a possible promotor doing research in their field of interest. In order to enable a promotor to decide about admission of an Erasmus Dissertation candidate for a particular topic, the applicant has to provide sufficient information on his/her academic background.

Information about ongoing  research  and contact information for the corresponding professors are available on the website of the Faculty.

• Courses for Exchange Students Faculty of Bioscience Engineering (Leuven)

30 ects. Erasmus Dissertation (B-KUL-I07A5a)

The focus of the Erasmus Dissertation is on experimental work that has to be carried out in an independent way under the guidance of a promotor, who is a member of the academic staff of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering.

The final report consists of three major parts: an overview of the 'state of the art' concerning the scientific issue under investigation, a description of the experimental methodology used and reports on the results obtained and discussion of their significance. The Erasmus Dissertation must be publicly defended before a commission at KU Leuven. Evaluation also includes an interactive discussion with members of the commission.

The Erasmus Dissertation -30 ECTS credits- corresponds to about 750-900 hours of total work. Students doing an Erasmus Dissertation should indicate this in their Learning Agreement, together with the title of the dissertation and the name of the promotor.

Evaluation: Erasmus Dissertation (B-KUL-I27A5b)

Explanation.

The Erasmus Dissertation can be put under an embargo. In this case the Dissertation can – amongst others - not be defended in front of a jury at your home university, not be published in a journal and not be deposited in a library. If these are strict requirements for your home university, you cannot register for an Erasmus Dissertation.

Finished PhD and Master theses

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Advanced Master Cybersecurity

COSIC and DistriNet organize a 60-ECTS Advanced Master Cybersecurity programme together, aimed at graduates from electrical engineering, computer science and mathematics. The English-taught programme can be completed on a one-year full-time basis.

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• Doctoral defence Giovana Peluso Lopes
• https://www.law.kuleuven.be/home/algemeen/agenda-2024-2025/doctoral-defence-giovana-peluso-lopes
• 2024-10-03T09:00:00+02:00
• 2024-10-03T11:00:00+02:00

03-10-2024 van 09:00 tot 11:00 (Europe/Brussels / UTC200)

University of Bologna, the Kelsen Room (Via Galliera 3)

On Thursday 3 October at 9 a.m., Giovana Peluso Lopes will be defending her doctoral thesis at the KU Leuven Faculty of Law and Criminology and the Faculty of Law at the University of Bologna, with a view to obtaining the degree of doctor in law.

The public defence will take place on 3 oktober 2023 at 09 am at the University of Bologna, in the Kelsen Room (Via Galliera 3).

The title of the doctoral thesis is: ENHANCING DECISIONS IN THE COURTROOM: EXPLORING A DUTY TO ENHANCE JUDICIAL COGNITION

Members of the examination committee: Prof. dr. Anton Vedder (KU Leuven, supervisor), Prof. dr. Corrado Roversi (University of Bologna, supervisor), Prof. dr. Stefaan Callens (KU Leuven), Prof. dr. Jan de Bruyne (KU Leuven), Prof. dr. Patricia Mindus (University of Uppsala), Prof. dr. Antonia Waltermann (University of Maastricht).

Giovana Peluso Lopes is Brazilian and Italian, born in Caxambu, Brazil, on 12 April 1993. She completed her Bachelor's Degree in Law at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF, Brazil), including an academic mobility period at the University of Camerino (Italy). She obtained her Master's Degree in Law from the Federal University of Belo Horizonte (UFMG, Brazil), after defending her dissertation on artificial intelligence, legal personhood, and civil liability. She worked as a legal consultant, providing legal advice on matters related to digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, privacy, and data protection. In 2021, she started a Joint PhD in Law, Science, and Technology at the University of Bologna (Italy) and KU Leuven (Belgium), focused on cognitive enhancement in the judiciary. As part of her joint doctoral degree, she spent two years as an Affiliated Research Fellow at KU Leuven’s Centre for IT & IP Law (CiTiP).

• Korte geschiedenis van de faculteit
• College De Valk: geschiedenis

PhD on electricity market design, industrial competitiveness and decarbonisation

(ref. BAP-2024-609) Laatst aangepast: 12/09/24

• Evaluate the potential of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to reduce large industrial consumers’ exposure to market prices and to reach their decarbonisation targets. Different load profiles based on the Belgian industry and various types of PPA portfolios, including solar, wind and storage, will be considered. The analysis consists of two main components: examining the correlation or level of matching between industrial load, renewables and storage, and evaluating the potential costs and performance of various PPA designs based on historical data.
• Assess the impact of different proposals of PPA regulatory frameworks, including centralised platforms for auctions and public guarantee schemes, on the financial flows between market actors. Also the impact of fragmentation or harmonisation of long-term market instruments across Europe will be considered. To achieve this, a techno-economic energy dispatch will be performed (based on existing, open-source optimisation models), to which a financial layer will be developed, as proposed by Zachmann et al. The design of the European electricity market (2023).
• You have a Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field, preferably from a reputable institute. 
• You are motivated to work independently, as well as in team, on different aspects of long-term market mechanisms for industrial consumers, starting from the Belgian context.
• You are communicative and can express yourself fluently in English, both orally and in writing. 
• You are eager to disseminate your research results through scientific publications, stakeholder interactions and conference presentations.
• You are interested in contributing to teaching activities for a limited number of hours.
• You are willing to live in Belgium. The primary workplace would be Electa in Leuven, but telework is possible.
• Have a solid background in the basic features of EU electricity markets and an affinity with EU energy institutes, policy and regulation.
• Become an expert on the latest evolutions in EU energy regulation and market design.
• Gain specific expertise in the design and application of long-term market instruments, such as PPAs.
• Continuously align your project with the latest policy and stakeholder debates.
• Become competent in setting up, analysing and identifying correlations in historical data sets.
• Become proficient in the engineering mathematics required to execute the project, such as optimisation models and data analyses. 
• Become highly skilled in the programming languages like Julia and Python, and others if needed.
• A four-year doctoral scholarship starting as soon as possible with a net monthly salary of approximately €2500, leading to a PhD degree in Engineering, if successful.
• Multiple benefits (health insurance, access to university infrastructure and sports facilities, etc.).
• A research visit to the Florence School of Regulation in Italy, if desired.
• Guidance from experienced faculty, who will teach you the fundamentals of applied, academic research using different research methodologies. 
• Training on research methodologies and soft skills through access to internal and external courses.
• The opportunity to develop a professional network and contribute to the EU regulatory debate by attending conferences and interacting with stakeholders.
• The opportunity to work in a small but ambitious team that encourages personal growth, creativity and taking responsibility.
• The opportunity to gain experience in the role of project management, after a sense of organizational skills have been demonstrated.
• Please specify your Master degree (Master specification, University + Country, Year obtained) and Master thesis (Title, Year, Supervisor) in your CV.
• For the motivation letter, please provide a one paragraph statement (up to half an A4 page) explaining the motivation for applying for this vacancy at KU Leuven. We strongly encourage you to have a look at our research group websites.

KU Leuven wil een inclusieve, respectvolle en sociaal veilige gemeenschap zijn. Wij omarmen diversiteit tussen individuen en groepen als een meerwaarde. Open dialoog en verschillen in perspectief zijn noodzakelijk in een ambitieuze onderzoeks- en onderwijsomgeving. In ons streven naar gelijke kansen erkennen wij de gevolgen van historische ongelijkheden. Wij aanvaarden geen enkele vorm van discriminatie op basis van, onder meer, geslacht, genderidentiteit en -expressie, seksuele oriëntatie, leeftijd, etnische of nationale afkomst, huidskleur, levensbeschouwelijke overtuiging, neurodivergentie, arbeidshandicap, gezondheid, of socio-economische status. Bij vragen over toegankelijkheid of aangeboden ondersteuning helpen we je graag op dit e-mailadres .

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