Preparatory PhD Project Certificate (PPPC) and Consolidation of the Proposal for Doctoral studies (CPD)

Participating in the Preparatory PhD Project certificate (PPPC) offers you the opportunity to develop a strong foundation for a successful career in research. The three month seminar is hosted in French and in English in the spring and in autumn. For candidates already enrolled in a thesis, we offer a similar program, called Consolidation of the Proposal for Doctoral studies (CPD).

 

Explore the different tools used in research. Learn how to ask pertinent research questions and how to develop your project in order to prepare a strong presentation for your thesis defence. Throughout the course, you’ll be supported by a team of experienced administrators, faculty members and research units.

 

The program is structured around two main areas:

• Axis 1: General and cross-disciplinary modules. Over the course of about ten days, participants explore the various aspects of the doctoral program and the research profession. They learn to use the tools that will be essential for developing their research project and meet their host research unit. The cross-disciplinary training covers: project management as applied to the dissertation, literature review and scientific writing, research ethics and integrity, data management, public speaking, and effective presentations, among other topics.
• Axis 2: Placement at the host institution. Outside of organized training sessions, the candidate works in a research unit (RU). They draft their research proposal, benefiting from discussions with peers, and develop the core skills of the research profession.

Evaluation and Recognition

Candidates are evaluated based on their participation in training seminars, their involvement in their research team, their research project, and their presentation of the project to a specific panel. The University of Liège awards a certificate equivalent to 15 ECTS credits. 

Please note that passing the certificate is not a sufficient condition for admission to the doctoral program.

Participant eligibility

• All Master graduates from ULiège or another accredited institution of higher education who are considering pursuing a doctoral programme and interested in the occupation of a researcher;
• All candidates for a PhD grant who are able to present their research project and develop their competencies, regardless of whether their funding requests are approved;
• All active professionals who have successfully completed a graduate degree and would like to begin a PhD in a field related to their current profession.

Applicants must provide formal documentation authenticating the possibility of pursuing doctoral studies within the system in which they graduated.

Applicants must identify and be accepted by a supervisor who is a faculty member of the University of Liège in order to be considered for the certificate.

You will find here the list of research units.

The Orbi tool (https://orbi.uliege.be) is also available to help you identify supervisors' areas of specialisation.

 Points to note

• The applicant must provide formal and authentic proof of eligibility to pursue doctoral studies.
• The applicant must also have identified a supervisor who is a member of ULiège and established contact with them in advance.
  You will find here a list of research units. The Orbi tool (https://orbi.uliege.be) is also available to help you identify professors’ areas of specialization.
• Applicants must have sufficient proficiency in French (Session 1) and English (Session 2). They must also be comfortable using computer software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or equivalents.
• A copy of your Master’s thesis must be provided for evaluation.
• Please note that the CUPPD certificate is considered continuing education and, as such, does not grant student status. Please keep this in mind when completing administrative procedures.
• Please note that the selection committee will not review the same application more than twice if submitted in consecutive application rounds.

Costs & Financial aid

The registration fee for the certificate is €835 (subject to increase for the 2026-2027 academic year). Upon successful completion of the certificate, if a participant is granted subsequent admission to a doctoral programme at the University of Liege, the registration fee for the doctorate will be reduced accordingly. Please note that successful completion of the certificate does not automatically entitle the applicant to funding for further doctoral studies.

Applicants may apply for financial assistance to cover mobility, relocation and registration expenses. Requests will be reviewed internally and assessed according to need and merit.

Upcoming sessions

Next CUPPD session will be organized :

• September 14^th, 2026 –> December 4^th,  2026

Please note that a minimum of five successful candidates is required to open this training session. Applicants from outside the European Union

Registration

Deadines

• Applicants from outside EU : June 19^th, 2026 (time required to process the visa)
• EU Applicants : July 15^th, 2026

Register via our online form

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