PD stands for Professional Doctorate and it is the equivalent of the PhD for the Dutch Universities of the Applied Sciences. The difference is that a PhD programme at a university trains a professional researcher, while the PD programme at the Universities of Applied Sciences trains an investigative professional.
In 2022, universities of applied sciences will start with a first cohort of candidates in five domains, including the creative domain. More cohorts will be added until 2025.
The PD pilot Arts + Creative is organized by 15 Dutch arts and design schools. It is governed by a Graduate Board of school managers and a Graduate Committee of arts and design professors. The daily procedures and execution are executed by a dedicated taskforce with administrative support from the St. Joost School of Art and Design.