Application

1. Degrees & career goals
2. Admission & application
3. Minimum admission requirements
4. Financial support
5. Fees for participation

 

1. Degrees & career goals

PhD candidates in our programme are working towards a PhD thesis.

The University of Amsterdam Doctorate degrees are awarded on the basis of research and the completion of a thesis. Examination is by assessment of the thesis and includes a public defence concerning the thesis and the underlying.

A PhD thesis must form a distinct contribution to knowledge and show evidence of originality. At least in a modified version, the thesis must be suitable for publication as a book or as a series of scholarly articles.

Duration of the PhD programme

The Amsterdam School offers a structured programme of supervision for research degrees. Full-time candidates are expected to complete their PhD research within four years and to defend their thesis in a public ceremony a few months later.

 

2. Admission & application

The deadline for the Spring 2009 selections is passed. Next selections will take place in 2010. Date will be announced.

Below you can find information about the application procedure. It is however still advisable to contact the ASSR Office about the valid procedure (see also the disclaimer on this website)

• Information how to apply (Date to be announced in 2010)
• Rules summarized proposal
• Selectionprocedure Form

 

3. Minimum admission requirements

Candidates entering the PhD programme should have completed a Master degree at an accredited university. The Master degree should have been completed with a high point average grade. Persons educated outside the Netherlands are eligible to pursue a doctorate, to participate in the PhD training programme, and to receive an ASSR PhD scholarship provided they are granted exemption from the legal Dutch educational MA requirement. If the candidate's foreign education makes him or her eligible to pursue a PhD degree in their own country, such exemption will be easy to obtain. If not, the candidate must provide proof that satisfies the Doctorate Board (College van Promoties) that he or she may be regarded capable of the independent pursuit of a PhD. Such proof may consist of a current university function or other professional position, publications, etc.
It is advisable to start the exemption-procedure after you've passed the first selection round and after consultation with the Amsterdam School.
All foreign candidates applying to the ASSR are required to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English to enroll in the ASSR PhD program. A PhD candidate can prove that he/she has sufficient English language ability by submitting a TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge score that meets the minimum ASSR requirements. The only condition by which a non-native foreign speaker of English may be exempted from the proficiency test requirement is if the candidate has studied for a minimum of two years at a university-level institution where all coursework was conducted in English. If a candidate meets this criterion, he or she should submit a letter sent by the university directly to the ASSR, confirming this.

TOEFL
Candidates are required to have a minimum score of either 213 according to the new notation on the computer-based test, or a minimum score of 550 according to the old notation. A score of 18 is expected on the other TOEFL components (listening, structure/writing, and reading). Candidates must arrange for an official copy of the results to be sent directly by the TOEFL institute to the ASSR. For general information contact TOEFL at email: toefl@ets.org or website: www.toefl.org

IELTS
The IELTS examination is organised by the British Council at least once a month upon request. candidates are required to have a score of at least 6.5. Test scores should be sent directly by IELTS to the ASSR. See: http://www.ielts.org/

CAMBRIDGE
Candidates can also take one of the "English as a foreign language exams" of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate whose examinations are available in more than 150 countries. Candidates are required to have a minimum score of A+ for the first certificate in English exam; B+ for the certificate in advanced English; or B for the certificate of proficiency in English exam. Test scores should be sent directly to the ASSR

 

4. Financial support

Many of our PhD candidates receive support toward their graduate studies through PhD scholarships from the Amsterdam School, the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), or scholarships from outside agencies. Each year six to eight candidates may obtain financial support from the Amsterdam School.

 

5. Fees for participation in the PhD programme or single core courses

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

Participants in single PhD core courses pay: € 1.137,00. This covers participation in one of the core courses and discussion of the course requirement paper. Under special conditions partial waivers may be considered.