Pre-doctoral studies at K.U.Leuven - EEA
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Regulative framework
The enrolment category of "pre-doctoral student" (cf. article 38 of the Decree on University Education) must be considered to be an acclimatisation year for the purposes of assessing whether candidates for the doctoral programme are in fact ready to commence doctoral studies. This applies especially to non-EEA students. The motivation for this lies in the fact that tax-exempt scholarships were created for doctoral students according to the model of Belgian students (and by extension, students from the EEA). Students, especially from outside the EEA, usually require a training period so as to be able to bridge the possible differences in culture, language and academic knowledge. It is clear that a pre-doctoral student cannot register for the doctoral programme.
A pre-doctoral scholarship must be distinguished clearly from a doctoral scholarship. A ‘pre-doctoral period’ and the scholarship accompanying it were introduced as an acclimatisation period especially intended to evaluate the research skills of non-EEA citizens. Such scholarships must be used for the purpose for which they were created. If it becomes apparent that part of the funds allocated to a doctoral student for a maximum period of four years are being or have been used in the context of the ‘pre-doctoral year,’ the Office of Social Security may reclassify these scholarships as doctoral scholarships, which are subject to article 3b of the social security decree. In other words: the pre-doctoral period must be solidly grounded and must be clearly distinct from the actual doctorate. Thus, pre-doctoral scholarships are, in principle, restricted to non-EEA nationals. Students who are EEA nationals must be treated in precisely the same manner as Belgian nationals due to the stringent non-discrimination principles of European regulation.
The Executive Board has decided that:- The status of pre-doctoral student is limited, in principle, to non-EEA students. In very exceptional cases, it may be granted to EEA students, but must be limited to a maximum period of one year, or ends when the student sits the pre-doctoral examination. The allocation of a scholarship for this period is possible.
- Academically, the status of pre-doctoral student contains an ad hoc programme and ends officially with the conferral of a certificate, after an evaluation period and a pre-doctoral examination.
Definition
This form concerns EEA citizens who are admitted to an ad hoc study programme lasting a maximum of one year as candidates for a doctoral programme, with the intention of evaluating their research skills. They complete this programme either with their own means or with a scholarship. Continuing evaluation and a final pre-doctoral examination lead to either permission or refusal to enrol in the doctoral programme proper. Article 38 of the Decree on University Education is in effect.Status
Status in Belgium:- EEA citizens can come to Belgium without any foregoing procedures. Once they are enrolled at K.U.Leuven, they must request the EEA citizen’s identity card (blue identity card) from the municipal offices.
- They have the status of "student" and must enrol at the Registrar’s Office as pre-doctoral students. The enrolment fee is stipulated by the university’s governing body and amounts to 208 euro.
- Upon enrolment, they receive all the necessary certificates for their stay at K.U.Leuven and in Belgium. They must present themselves to the municipal offices within 8 business days. In the event that they have a scholarship, the International Office co-ordinates the scholarship administration.
Research type
Independent fundamental research (type BOF, IUAP, FWO) in order to evaluate research skills.Financing
A scholarship is possible for a maximum period of one year and at most until the siiting of the predoctoral examination.| Fiscal status | Entirely tax-exempt. |
| Social security contributions | Exempt. |
| Scholarship amount | This depends on the budget of the financial source; the scholarship must equal between 860 euro per month (minimum) and 100% of the net salary of an assistant (maximum). |
Status concerning the immigration authorities
No work permit is requiredRequired insurance
- Accident and third party civil liability: as a student, in effect after enrolment
- Health insurance: E-form.
- Insurance for personal third party civil liability: optional, 13 euro.
Regulations
In preparation.
