PhD pathway - a training roadmap for students

Receiving adequate training and making suitable curriculum choices is key in preparing for doctoral research. This pathway indicates the training and support students can receive at our faculty in order to enhance their research skills and submit an application for funding. 

Students can also dive into the program without following every step or after completing their studies.

STEP 1 | ORIENTATION

• Information session

During your 2nd bachelor year (CRIM & LAW)

What is a PhD and is a PhD something for me? What are the funding options and how do I choose?

Receive more information about the doctoral process and ask all your questions – we are here to help!

Our info sessions take place every March. Want a reminder for the next one? Let us know via research.re@ugent.be.

STEP 2 | POSITIONING

During your 3rd bachelor year (CRIM)
During your 1st master year (LAW)

• Take the elective course Research Clinic (SEM1 & SEM2)

Develop your research skills: Gain hands-on research experience by joining a Faculty research group as a student-researcher.
Prepare yourself for academic research: You will actively contribute to ongoing research, build your research CV, and explore potential PhD topics.

What you gain:

- Practical research skills through real project involvement.

- A stronger academic CV with documented experience.

- Insight into PhD pathways and topic development.

- Improved academic communication via writing and presenting.

• Individual search by the student

Talk to possible supervisors at our research groups based on your interests. A complete overview of all our research groups can be found on our website.

Find a good match between your research interest and expectations and those of the supervisor.

STEP 3 | WRITE, PRESENT AND DEFEND

During your master year (CRIM)
During your 2nd master year (LAW)

• Take the elective course Academic Grant Writing (SEM1)

Design a PhD proposal that meets FWO standards: Learn how grant applications work and what makes a strong research proposal.
Prepare yourself for your PhD research: You will choose a topic in law or criminology, collaborate with Faculty, and study successful applications to guide your own.

What you gain:

- Practical experience in writing a full FWO-style PhD grant application.
- Insight into effective proposal strategies and peer feedback.
- Skills in pitching and defending your research idea to academic audiences.

• Internship | Student Research Assistant (SEM1)

As a student research assistant, you will be employed (as a student worker) for 12 days in order to join a research group where you will receive active guidance in preparing a funding application. Positions are limited and invitation-only.

Only the top 15% will be invited to apply. Invitations are send out at the beginning of July each year to eligible students that start their master year (CRIM) or second master year (LAW). 

• FWO Support Track (SEM 1 & 2)

Participate in the faculty-wide research support track. By doing so you will receive additional tips and tricks, individual feedback and further follow-up support on presentation skills and mock defences if you make it to the second round of the FWO call.

More information?

Contact us via research.re@ugent.be