Join the Pre-PhD Programme and discover if doing PhD research is for you
The Pre-PhD Programme offers master’s students the chance to gain research experience. ‘The programme helps you discover if doing research is something for you’, says Bastiaan Ganzen, the programme’s Academic Coordinator.
Pursuing a PhD is hard work and generally takes at least four years to complete. The Pre-PhD Programme (PPP) can help you discover if doing research is something you want to do. Bastiaan van Ganzen, who received his PhD in 2025 and is now Assistant Professor at the Department of Tax Law, is responsible for the content of the PPP and overseeing applications and admissions to the programme. He points out the added value for many students of following the programme. ‘In the PPP, you also acquire methodological skills like conducting interviews and performing data analyses, with the programme offering more advanced content than regular master’s programmes.’
Who can apply for the PPP and when?
‘The PPP is for master’s students, from all disciplines, including the Advanced Master’s programmes. They count for around 95% of participants. But the PPP is also open to faculty staff who’d like to do a PhD, but who haven’t yet secured a position.’
The PPP starts in the second semester of the master’s programmes. So, current master’s students can apply now.’
How much time does it take?
‘The compulsory part amounts to two courses (5 ECTS each) and four one-hour sessions focussed on research. You acquire research skills and learn about life as a PhD candidate: from writing a research proposal to applying for grants. Attention is also given to workload and career prospects.
You can also do an additional research internship under the supervision of a staff member at the faculty who has already acquired a PhD.
If, later on, you manage to secure a PhD position at the faculty, the PPP courses you successfully completed will count towards your PhD trajectory.’
Former Pre-PhD Programme participant in 2024, Tommaso Gerardini
‘The Pre-PhD Programme is a rare opportunity for students aiming to pursue a doctorate after their master’s. Through it, I took courses in Quantitative Empirical Research Methods in Law and Legal Methodology, and I joined the H2OLaw project as a research intern. There, I worked on a book proposal, drafted PhD research projects, and wrote an abstract for the 2025 Critical Legal Conference. The abstract was accepted, giving me the opportunity to present at an international conference and connect with a diverse community of international critical legal scholars. This programme played a key role in helping me secure an offer for a fully funded PhD position at Milano-Bicocca University. I was the only candidate in my selection process with this kind of hands-on methodology training. It made a real difference – both in shaping my projects and in answering methodology questions – so I highly recommend it to anyone considering a PhD.’
Why apply for the PPP?
‘During the programme, you’ll find out if doing research is something for you. Participating in the PPP will boost your CV. It won’t guarantee a position as a PhD candidate, but it will improve your chances of succeeding. It is, after all, a way to show that you’ve developed research skills. And during the optional research internship you can already start working on a research proposal. Former participants have now started PhD research in the Netherlands and abroad, for example in Florence and Copenhagen’ (read about a former participant’s experiences above).
How to apply?
Students who are interested can apply by 23 November 2025 at the latest via their master’s programme by sending an email to the Programme Coordinator (regular master’s) or the Programme Director (Advanced Master’s). They will then receive further instructions about applying. Staff members who are interested can apply by 23 November 2025 at the latest by contacting the Graduate School of Legal Studies.
The PPP falls under the Graduate School of Legal Studies at the Department of Research. More information about applications and selection is available on the page of the Pre-PhD Programme.