For a long time, obtaining a PhD in Belgium and in a number of other European countries was based on the philosophy of ‘learning-by-doing’ under the exclusive supervision of a promoter. The completion of the PhD dissertation usually led to a research or staff position. Now, many of today’s young scientists need to build their career outside the university where employers are as interested in the applicant’s skills as in their knowledge. Highly-qualified research scientists are needed in many sectors of society but require a background in its political, economical and cultural dimensions, and additional management, social and communication skills, including the ability to speak other European languages. However, although the purpose of the doctorate is the creation of a multidisciplinary scientist with broad academic qualifications, many research projects at present are restricted to subjects within a particular discipline. The acquirement of the ‘social’ skills through the ‘learning-by-doing’ concept proves to be very difficult, especially if one considers the increase of graduate students at present times. Therefore, additional study programmes for doctoral students are required. In this paper the doctoral study programme of the University of Antwerpen is described, as well as a short survey of comparable initiatives in Western Europe.