PhD in Urban Development and Governance

Self-Funded Opportunity

The PhD in Urban Development & Governance is a 4-year flexible trajectory programme that fuses urban management with governance.

Embedded in the Erasmus Graduate School of Social Sciences and Humanities (EGSH), this PhD programme offers a unique opportunity for in-depth academic research within a vibrant international community. This tuition-based programme equips candidates with advanced skills and knowledge, fostering careers in academia, government, NGOs, and international enterprises. With a strong emphasis on individualised training plans, students benefit from tailored coursework, extensive resources, and close collaboration with experienced supervisors. IHS’s global network and focus on urban complexities make it an ideal environment for those passionate about sustainable urban development.

Research Areas

• Urban Socio-Spatial Development
• Urban Economics and Governance
• Urban Sustainability and Climate Change Resilience

What are some special features of this PhD programme?

Access to a wealth of information

As a PhD student, you will have access to the extensive IHS library with a wealth of sources for everything urban. You will also have access to the university’s main library and a vast majority of the world’s (electronic) scientific journals.

Learn with IHS staff

Your supervisory team consists of two experienced supervisors doing academic research. This enables you to learn from their experiences. At IHS, a PhD trajectory is very much a matter of co-production: we learn as much from you as you learn from us.

PhD colloquia

PhD students meet in the regular PhD colloquia to discuss each other’s work, exchange tips and learn from the experiences of IHS staff. Explore various topics and gain insight into their academic research thought the Spring and Fall Colloquia series.

Am I eligible?

We welcome applications from prospective students with a wide variety of backgrounds related to urban governance. Each application is considered carefully, taking the individual potential of the applicant into account. Please take a look at the admission requirements here.

How to apply for the PhD Urban Development & Governance?

Step 1: Prepare your application package including:

• Research Proposal
• English Language Proficiency Proof
• Curriculum Vitae
• Academic diplomas & grade transcripts
• Optional supporting documents

Step 2: Submit your online applications

Once you have all the required documents ready, you can submit your application via the Online Application Form.

Step 3: Recieve your application assessment outcome

Please note that this process can take 2 to 3 months. The call for applications for the PhD programme is ongoing; there are no fixed deadlines.

Funding

Studying abroad is a lifetime investment in your academic development and career. As exciting as it may be, we know that funding your studies abroad is a challenging task.

Here are some tips and ideas on funding sources:

1. Private or family savings
2. Student or bank loan
3. Employer staff development budget
4. Scholarships - please find an external scholarship database here

Contact

For more information, please get in touch with the IHS PhD Admission Office at phd@ihs.nl.