The PhD programme in history is characterised by a strong international orientation, a broad variety of disciplinary perspectives and a focus on the use of primary sources. The programme is embedded within the Faculty of Humanities, which provides the opportunity to study not only the languages, societies and cultures of Europe, but also those of Africa, Asia, America and the Caribbean. At a higher of level of abstraction the PhD programme is affiliated to the cross-disciplinary university profile areas ‘Global interactions of people, cultures and power through the ages’ and ‘Political legitimacy: institutions and identities’.

All projects implemented in the context of the PhD programme are closely related to the five research clusters of the Leiden Institute for History. These clusters coincide with the following research themes:
 

• The Unification of the Mediterranean World
• The Dynamics of European Identity, 1300-1700
• Political Culture and National Identities
• European Expansion and Globalisation
• Migration and global interdependence

PhD candidates primarily focus on conducting research and writing their dissertation under the guidance of their supervisor who is a full professor connected to one of the above mentioned themes. In addition, they take a number of courses relevant to their field of research. Some of these courses are offered by the Institute, such as the monthly graduate seminar and the practical educational course. The latter are compulsory components of the PhD training programme. PhD candidates take supplementary courses at Leiden University or other institutions as a rule on a tailor made basis. In this respect the Dutch research schools in the field of history play a substantial role. Finally, the PhD programme provides a timely orientation towards a career after the completion of the PhD dissertation.  

All members of the Institute, including the PhD candidates, are housed in the Johan Huizinga building. This concentration of researchers on one location is important to ensure the creation of a stimulating intellectual environment and the establishment of a genuine academic community. Of particular importance in this context is the monthly graduate seminar, where staff members, PhD candidates and research master students meet to discuss research findings, develop research skills, and socialize. Besides, members of the Institute frequently organise conferences, workshops, lectures and book presentations which are open to anyone interested in the topic under discussion. The workplaces available for PhD candidates in the Johan Huizinga building include all the necessary (desk, computer and library entrance) facilities.  

PhD candidates employed by the Institute are generally appointed for a period of four years. The management team of the Institute, however, may reduce this to a three-year period whenever it considers this justified because of the pre-education and state of affairs of the project of the PhD candidate.