Both countries recruit many doctoral candidates through advertised university vacancies. The important comparison is the actual project, employment status, funding duration and supervision. A country label alone does not establish the terms of an offer.
| What to compare | Sweden | Netherlands |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years full-time (240 credits); up to about 5 years if up to 20% of the time is teaching or other departmental duties | Usually 4 years full-time |
| Funding | Usually salaried employment as a doctoral student; salaries follow each university's local agreement and rise during the programme | Most PhD candidates are employees paid on the university salary scale; some universities also have scholarship-based PhD candidates with different conditions |
| Tuition fees | None for doctoral education | Employed PhD candidates do not pay tuition fees |
| Entry requirements | A second-cycle (master's) degree, or at least 240 credits including 60 at second-cycle level, or equivalent knowledge, plus the subject requirements in the vacancy | A master's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field, plus the requirements in the vacancy |
Compare the salary and contract in the original vacancy
Ask which salary scale or funding agreement applies, how long it lasts, which costs it covers, and whether the offer creates an employment contract or a scholarship arrangement. Check the university's current terms and the project's eligibility requirements before deciding.
Sweden
Country guide reviewed 2026-10-03. By Graduates Corner.
- Study in Sweden
- Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR)
- Swedish Migration Agency: studying and researching in Sweden
Netherlands
Country guide reviewed 2026-10-03. By Graduates Corner.
Browse positions and full country guide