The minimum requirements below apply to all PhD candidates. Any additional admission requirements for externally funded research projects will be specified in the vacancy.

• The minimum educational requirement for all PhD candidates:  

Dutch nationals need to hold a Master’s degree. International candidates must prove that their foreign academic degree is equivalent to the Dutch final university examination.

• An English language proficiency test:

Non-native speakers of the English language are required to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English. All candidates must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in programme group discussions and produce articles in English.

TOEFL:

• Paper-based test: minimum total score 600; minimum score on each component 57 (components are: listening, structure/writing, and reading)
• Internet-based test: minimum total score 100; minimum score on each component 22 (components are: listening, structure/writing, reading, and speaking)

IELTS:

• A minimum of 7.0 for the test, with a minimum of 6.5 for each test component.
• Cambridge International Examinations
• CAE and CPE: minimum score of C

Prior to admission privately funded candidates are required to submit a brief description of their proposed project comprising the following details:

1. The topic they would like to explore
2. The programme group they would like to join
3. The supervisor they have in mind
4. The kind of funding they have obtained, and
5. A timeplan

The programme group the proposal pertains to will subsequently evaluate the proposals. Should the programme group director approve the application, the candidate will be admitted conditionally as self-funded student. The admission will become unconditional upon submission of a valid language test score, valid copy of diplomas, original transcripts and proof of funding.

Fees for External PhD candidates

PhD candidates who are not employed by the AISSR but receive a scholarship pay a fee of €4.545 up to €15.000 annually (depending on the specific situation). This fee covers a variety of costs such as the selection procedure, supervision, PhD training (core courses, seminars) and a small research budget. Self-funded PhD’s can ask for a tuition fee waiver.