Starting as VLAG PhD

Prospective PhD candidates

To apply for a PhD position we would like to refer you to PhD Programme of Wageningen University.


Registration as PhD candidate at the VLAG office

Before the start of your PhD project, your supervisor/chair secretary needs to register you at VLAG Graduate School. For registration use the VLAG registration form. The form needs to be send to VLAG office. Make sure to check the registration proces of Wageningen University and the checklist before registering.

Your starting point to find the information you need as WUR PhD candidate is the WUR PhD Programme webpage, where you can find information on Rules & Regulations, Overview of Procedures along a timeline, Moving to & Living in Wageningen, etc.


Educational Programme - Training and Supervision Plan

PhD candidates should spend 15% of their PhD research contract on their education programme. The arrangements regarding the contents of the educational programme are formalised within a Training and Supervision Plan (TSP). The TSP is an instrument providing statutory rights and obligations to the PhD candidate and the supervisors. The TSP contains:

  • A description of the educational programme of the PhD candidate. This part of the document should be seen as a declaration of intent and should be formulated upon consultation with the thesis supervisor.

  • A description of the teaching responsibilities of the PhD candidate. Teaching duties consist of assistance during laboratory practicals and supervision of undergraduates.
  • An agreement concerning the supervision provided by thesis supervisor and co-supervisor.

All PhD candidates are obliged to submit the TSP within 3 months after the start date.

For additional information on the TSP, click here.


Submitting PhD research proposal

As part of the formal admittance procedure a research proposal has to be submitted within 6 months. The template, procedure and review feedback form can be found below.

PhD research proposal documents:

VLAG PhD research proposal PROCEDURE

VLAG PhD research proposal TEMPLATE

VLAG PhD research proposal REVIEW FEEDBACK FORM


VLAG PhD Week

For new VLAG PhD candidates we organise the VLAG PhD week. This course is a compulsory part of the VLAG education programme.


If you have any questions about the information above, please contact Yvonne Smolders or Cornelia van Bree-Evers.