A variety of research projects are conducted at all higher education institutions in Flanders. Scientific research is often conducted as part of international cooperation and / or commissioned by regional and national authorities.

A list of all the scientific research projects can be found on the online research portal database: http://www.researchportal.be/en/index.html.

Writing a Ph D in Flanders

In order to write a Ph D at a Flemish university, you have to comply with certain formal requirements. Doctoral degrees are open to holders of a Belgian Master’s Degree or a degree awarded after at least four years of study considered equivalent by the university. A Master’s Degree does not automatically entitle you to join a Ph D programme. The grades you obtained in your undergraduate study must be above average. Each application will be considered individually. Depending on your academic background, a pre-doctoral period may be considered necessary. The final decision on whether or not to accept an applicant for a Ph D programme is taken by the university. The Ph D starts with the selection of a good thesis supervisor, who will guide you through the entire process. The choice of your supervisor depends on the research project you want to pursue. It is crucial that the supervisor has expertise in your field of research. The first thing you should do as a prospective Ph D student is to contact members of the academic staff in your discipline to find an academic supervisor in order to discuss the opportunities, planning, organisation, and possible financing of your doctoral studies. Information about current research projects and available academic expertise can be found on the websites of Flemish universities. The Ph D programme usually lasts four to six years. During this period doctoral students are required to write a dissertation, either in Dutch or in an international language, generally English or French, proving their ability to conduct original research independently. This doctoral thesis is defended orally and publicly at the end of the programme. At most universities the doctoral research is part of a specific doctoral training, consisting of course work and of other research-related activities such as preparing an international publication, attending and making presentations at doctoral seminars, and active participation in international congresses.