Erasmus University Rotterdam

What you'll study

The programme combines discipline-specific research with targeted training in the practical, administrative and professional aspects of running a PhD project. Core themes typically include:

• Research design and methodology – advanced qualitative and quantitative methods, mixed methods strategies, and approaches to comparative and interdisciplinary work common to social sciences and humanities research.
• Project planning and management – setting realistic timelines and milestones, resource and risk management, data management plans, and strategies for keeping a multi-year research project on track.
• Academic writing and publishing – structuring a thesis, converting chapters into journal articles, peer review processes and open science practices.
• Supervision, collaboration and networking – building productive relationships with supervisors and co-authors, interdisciplinary collaboration, and working within research groups and centres.
• Funding, ethics and research integrity – preparing grant and fellowship applications, ethical review processes, and responsible conduct of research.
• Professional and transferable skills – presentation and teaching skills, public engagement and impact, career planning, and knowledge exchange with policy and practice communities.

Delivery is typically a mix of taught workshops, seminars, researcher-led peer groups and one-to-one mentorship within the framework of the university's doctoral school. Candidates combine this training with their own supervised research leading to a doctoral thesis.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant master's degree (or equivalent) in a social sciences or humanities discipline and to present a clear doctoral research proposal. Typical application components include:

• an academic CV demonstrating research potential;
• a substantive research proposal outlining research questions, methodology and a provisional timeline;
• a statement of motivation detailing fit with the doctoral programme and potential supervisors;
• academic references that can attest to the applicant's preparedness for doctoral research;
• evidence of language proficiency where required (English or other research language used in supervision).

In many cases, formal admission depends on the willingness of a faculty member to supervise the proposed project and on meeting any additional requirements set by the faculty or doctoral school. Shortlisted applicants are commonly invited to an interview or assessment meeting.

Career prospects

Graduates who complete this programme leave with both deep subject expertise and a portfolio of practical skills that are attractive across sectors. Common career pathways include:

• academic research and teaching positions at universities and research institutes;
• research management and administration roles, such as project coordinator or research officer in universities and funding organisations;
• policy analysis and advisory roles in government departments, think-tanks and NGOs;
• consultancy and knowledge exchange roles where evidence synthesis, evaluation and stakeholder engagement are required;
• roles in communications, publishing and public engagement that benefit from strong writing and dissemination skills.

The emphasis on planning, grant-writing and impact-oriented communication also prepares graduates for leadership positions in interdisciplinary teams and for roles that bridge academia and external stakeholders.

Why study at Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam offers doctoral candidates an active doctoral training environment through its graduate school and faculty research institutes. Students benefit from interdisciplinary networks across social sciences, behavioural sciences and humanities, and from structured researcher development programmes that include workshops on methods, project management and professional development.

The university's research culture emphasises collaboration with policy-makers, businesses and civic organisations, giving PhD candidates opportunities to test and communicate their work beyond academia. Supervision is provided by experienced faculty within well-established research centres, and candidates have access to institutional support for funding applications, ethics review and data management.

For researchers seeking both rigorous disciplinary training and practical skills for managing a successful PhD and a future research-oriented career, Erasmus University Rotterdam provides an environment with the mentoring, training and external linkages to support those goals.