Doctoral Programme in Canon Law (Leuven)

The Doctoral Programme in Canon Law aims at broadening and deepening the doctoral students' knowledge and ability to produce scholarly research in this area. Furthermore, doctoral students will be supported in their research by means of supervision by the programme's professorial staff. The programme will be especially geared towards preparing a doctoral dissertation, within a reasonable timeframe. The dissertation should constitute an innovative contribution to the area of canon law.

The Doctoral Programme consists of an interrelated and coherent combination of research, study and presentation activities. The Doctoral Programme consists of obligatory and optional elements which aim at broadening knowledge and experience by way of methodological reflection, systematic guidance, discussion with other doctoral students, contact with professors from different areas of research, the presentation of research results, international contacts, preparation of publications, supplementary formation through the study of languages and other specialised courses and team work.

Components of the Doctoral Programme are (1) an oral presentation at an international conference, (2) a scientific publication at an international level, (3) annual meetings at a PhD Congress. Components can be followed at other national or international universities and institutes for scientific research. Students are not obliged to live in Leuven to fulfill the requirements of the programme.

Participation in the Doctoral Programme is a compulsory condition for the promotion to Doctor of Canon Law. Detailed information on the Doctoral Programme can be consulted on the Faculty's website.

Doctoral students are encouraged to spend time abroad, e.g. in the context of a research internship at another institute.