Research

Phases in graduate study

Phase 0

• Qualifier phase
• 0-6 months¹
• A full research proposal must be prepared (including time, budget and travel planning) and a training and supervision plan. The qualifier is defended in public and may, at the discretion of the senior supervisor, be preceded by an oral exam.
• Review and examination are conducted by a committee appointed and chaired by the senior supervisor (promotor-designate) according to SENSE Research School criteria (and Twente Graduate School if applicable).
• The senior supervisor completes the research progress form (phase 0 = qualifier report) and submits this to the Bureau Education and Research Affairs (ITC-BOOZ), together with the approved initial training and supervision plan that has been prepared by the graduate student. Subsequently, registration is arranged in the SENSE Research School, as well as the Twente Graduate School if applicable.

Phase 1

• 7-18 months1
• The graduate student fulfils specified activities according to the training and supervision plan, discusses any changes with the senior supervisor (who decides on modification), and submits an updated training and supervision plan (agreed upon by the senior supervisor).
• The senior supervisor prepares the research progress form (RPF phase 1), and compares progress with plan (phase 0).
• Performance and progress assessment is carried out by the senior supervisor after discussion with the daily supervisor(s) and, if deemed necessary, consultation with the examination committee.
• Both the updated training and supervision form and the research progress form are submitted to the Bureau Education and Research Affairs (ITC-BOOZ), and the research schools (SENSE, Twente Graduate School) when required.

Phase 2

• 18-30 months¹
• The graduate student fulfils specified activities according to the training and supervision plan, discusses any changes with the senior supervisor (who decides on modification), and submits an updated training and supervision form (agreed upon by senior supervisor).
• The senior supervisor prepares the research progress form (RPF phase 2) and compares progress with plan (RPF phases 1 and 0).
• Performance and progress assessment is made by the senior supervisor after discussion with the daily supervisor(s) and, if deemed necessary, consultation with the examination committee. Both the updated training and supervision form and the research progress form are submitted to the Bureau Education and Research Affairs (ITC-BOOZ), and research schools (SENSE, Twente Graduate School) when required.

Phase 3

• 30-48 months (maximum)
• Research is completed according to schedule and the training and supervision plan.
• Procedure for the award of PhD degree (promotion) is initiated.
• PhD thesis manuscript is drafted, finalized and submitted.
• Examination and oral defence (promotion) is held at the University of Twente². The doctoral regulations of the University of Twente apply (please note that the Dutch version is the authoritative text).
• Responsibility for acceptance of the manuscript lies with the promotor-designate, who will subsequently nominate a graduation committee (according to the doctoral regulations of the University of Twente and having heard the graduate student and daily supervisors).
• All correspondence with the Doctorate Board and the dean is via the Graduate Programme secretary.