FAQ
- What are the starting dates of the PPD and when are the application deadlines?
- We have 2 starting dates each year: 1 April and 1 October.
- Due to several procedures (visa / work permit requirements, finding of housing), the application procedure can take two and sometimes even up to three months. Therefore, there are different application deadlines for different nationalities:
- Non-EU residents: the application deadline for start in April is 30 November, the deadline for start in October is 30 May.
- EU residents: the application deadline for start in April is 30 December, the deadline for start in October is 30 July.
- NL residents: the application deadline for start in April is 30 January, the deadline for start in October is 30 August.
- The application procedure is a rolling procedure, when the program is full, your application will be moved to the next starting date (1 April/October).
- Is an English certificate always necessary?
- Not always. If English is your mother tongue or your entire MSc was taught in English, you do not need to provide an English certificate.
- Otherwise an English certificate is always necessary.
- Can the recommendation letters be sent directly to info.ppd@tue.nl?
- We prefer to have all application documents in one email to info.ppd@tue.nl.
- If you reference prefers to send the application letter directly, that is possible.
- What should a motivation letter look like?
- It should be clear to the selection committee why you want to do the PPD program at the TU/e. Please make sure that your motivation letter is maximum 1 page.
- It should be clear to the selection committee why you want to do the PPD program at the TU/e. Please make sure that your motivation letter is maximum 1 page.
- Are all PPD trainees assigned to industry partners in the Netherlands?
- Assignments usually take place in the Netherlands. However, according to availability, a project in another country is possible. There have been assignments in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
- Assignments usually take place in the Netherlands. However, according to availability, a project in another country is possible. There have been assignments in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
- What happens if a trainee’s assignment is in a city other than Eindhoven?
- Trainees are often assigned to industry partners outside of Eindhoven. In this case, TU/e can request the trainee to move to the vicinity of the company where the assignment is carried out to reduce commuting time and increase integration into the partner’s teams. This decision may be strongly influenced by the preference of the industry partner.
- Trainees are often assigned to industry partners outside of Eindhoven. In this case, TU/e can request the trainee to move to the vicinity of the company where the assignment is carried out to reduce commuting time and increase integration into the partner’s teams. This decision may be strongly influenced by the preference of the industry partner.
- How are projects and PPD trainees paired?
- Projects are assigned by the PPD supervisory staff, taking into account the requirements set by the industry partner as well as the trainee’s experience and fields of interest. In general, two trainees are sent to an interview hosted by the industry partner. These interviews take place during the last months of the first year.
- In the end, the industry partner chooses a trainee.
- Do PPD trainees have contact with TU/e during the execution projects?
- Trainees have regular progress meetings with an assigned TU/e supervisor to guide their progress both technically and professionally. In addition, a trainee is expected to give an intermediate presentation of their project to all the PPD trainees and staff ca six months after the start of an assignment. Here the trainee can highlight key challenges and learnings to other trainees to incorporate into their projects.
- Trainees have regular progress meetings with an assigned TU/e supervisor to guide their progress both technically and professionally. In addition, a trainee is expected to give an intermediate presentation of their project to all the PPD trainees and staff ca six months after the start of an assignment. Here the trainee can highlight key challenges and learnings to other trainees to incorporate into their projects.
- The results show that the project is not feasible. Will the trainee still graduate?
- If the trainee arrives to the conclusion that the company's goal is not feasible, he or she will still be awarded with a degree. Provided that the trainee can prove with solid arguments that the goal cannot be achieved.
- If the trainee arrives to the conclusion that the company's goal is not feasible, he or she will still be awarded with a degree. Provided that the trainee can prove with solid arguments that the goal cannot be achieved.
- Difference between a PhD and EngD?
- The PPD program is an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) program. That means that our program is at the doctorate level, same as a PhD. An EngD program lasts 2 years, and is focused more on technological design and application in industry, rather than (fundamental) research.
