Routes

PhD Candidates are admitted to AISSR through: 

1. Applying for a PhD vacancy in a research project externally funded (for example by NWO, EU, NICIS etc.) through an open recruitment procedure. Vacancies are announced on the AISSR and UvA websites.
2. Submitting their own research proposal: Candidates will bring their own funding through private resources, grants (like the Ford Foundation, scholarships from national or local governments, Nufiic etc.) or by being under contract with other UvA units, institutes and companies (`buitenpromovendi’ or external PhD).

If a PhD project is financed by the University of Amsterdam or by a grant given to the University of Amsterdam by a third party, the PhD degree is conferred at the University of Amsterdam.

Admission criteria

• Minimum educational requirement for all PhD Candidates: A legal minimum educational requirement needs to be satisfied. In order to enter a doctoral programme (PhD) at the UvA, national candidates need a minimum of a Masters degree and international candidates must prove that their foreign academic degree is equivalent to this Dutch final university examination. Technically, international candidates must request to be exempted from the legal Dutch educational requirements.
• English test requirement for all non-native speakers: All non-native speakers of English 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 undertake written work in English. Applicants with a nationality other than American, Australian, British, Canadian, Irish or New Zealand - as proven by the identity papers submitted - are required to submit an English test score meeting the entry requirements.
• Additional admission procedures in externally funded research projects: Additional admission procedures are spelled out in the vacancy descriptions in case of PhD candidates who apply on PhD positions in externally funded projects.

External PhD

Self-funded candidates have to submit (through the application form below) a short description of a) the topic they would like to explore, b) the programme group they would like to join, c) the supervisor they have in mind, c) the kind of funding they obtained and d) a timeplan. The concerning programme group will evaluate such proposals. If the programme group director approves the application, the candidate will be admitted conditionally as self-funded student. The admission will become unconditional after submitting a valid language test score, a valid copy of diplomas, original transcripts and proof of funding.

Fees for participation in the PhD programme or single core courses

PhD candidates who do not receive financial support from the AISSR pay: € 4.545,00 annually. This covers the selection procedure, core courses, seminars, dissertation clubs, Methodology seminar, individual consultation and supervision, annual evaluation of progress, admission procedure concerning public defense of dissertation, study, PC, printing and telephone facilities.

More info

Find more information in the attached AISSR-GSSS PhD Guide