From Master student to PhD

Why do a PhD?

With a PhD at ICTEAM, you’ll learn how to do research by leading your own project, and you’ll get paid for it.. You’ll become an expert in your field, learn to manage a project and communicate your findings, and enjoy working with others, from bouncing ideas off your team to collaborating abroad and presenting at conferences.

And after your PhD? These skills can take you into industrial R&D, research, consulting, help you start your own company or pursue an academic career.

How to? Follow the steps,

Before the PhD

It all starts with finding a professor who agrees to supervise your PhD and helps you define an original research topic. Positions are not always advertised: reach out directly to professors or teaching assistant and PhD students in the research groups that interest you.

=> Explore the groups on the Research pages of Computing Science , Mathematical and Electrical Engineering.

=> Advertised positions: ICTEAM vacancies · jobs.uclouvain.be

Look for funding in parallel, together with your supervisor: FNRS in February, teaching assistant positions in May, and FRIA in late summer. Explore funding options. See more info on the funding options image below.

Apply online through the OSIS doctoral platform.

Eligibility: a 120-credit research-oriented master’s degree, awarded with at least distinction.
Application: the name(s) of your supervisor(s), a research proposal (working title, objectives, contribution beyond the state of the art, work plan and resources), diplomas and academic transcripts.
Supervisory committee: your supervisor and at least two other members, including one from outside your supervisor’s team.

Starting your PhD (SST)

The doctoral committee for your field (CDD) reviews your application. It may grant admission, grant pre-admission or reject your application. The committee meets on set dates, so check its meeting schedule.

The doctoral administrator informs you of the decision. If your application is approved, they confirm your authorisation to enrol with the Enrolment Office.

You must enrol before starting any activity at the university. You must renew your enrolment at the start of each academic year.

Enrolment Office

More information about

FNRS funding
FRIA funding
Teaching assistant positions are published here

During the PhD

You present your progress to your committee at least once a year. Alongside your research, you complete the 60-credit doctoral training programme (see below).

You must take this examination within 24 months of admission. The committee checks that your research topic is clearly defined, that you have mastered the methods, and that you have initial original results and a credible plan for completing your PhD. If you do not pass, the committee may give you up to 12 months to retake it.

Confirmation examination (SST)

The end of the PhD

At a final meeting, your supervisory committee gives you permission to write your thesis. A proposed jury is submitted to the head of the institute, then to the CDD.

Once the jury has been approved, the doctoral administrator confirms the date of your private defence with you and the jury.

Your manuscript is sent to the jury one month beforehand. You defend your thesis orally before the jury, which decides whether to authorise publication and usually requests revisions.

Jury and private defence

Your public defence takes place at least one month after the private defence, once the jury has approved the final version of your thesis.

Public defence

Your diploma, signed by the Rector, is issued in the following weeks. Overall, a PhD takes three to four years, depending on the funding arrangement.

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