Routes

PhD candidates are admitted to the Psychology Research Institute in the following ways:

1. Through an open recruitment procedure, applying for a PhD vacancy within a research project that is externally funded (by e.g. NWO, ZonMW or the EU). Vacancies are announced on the UvA website.
2. Submitting their own research proposal, which means candidates must bring their own funding ascertained through private resources, or grants (e.g. a scholarship from a national or local government, Nuffic).

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 automatically conferred to the University of Amsterdam.

Admission Criteria

Proficiency in English

All international applicants who are non-native English speakers and who apply for a PhD-studentship in Psychology are required to demonstrate sufficient pro­ficiency in English to enrol the programme. Students must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions and undertake written work in English.

International candidates who are non-native English speakers* are required to submit official English proficiency test scores according to the criteria mentioned below.

^{*Native speakers of English who completed their undergraduate degree in another language than English have to demonstrate that they finished high school in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America.}
Non-native English speakers have to submit one of the following tests. No other tests are accepted. Your test score may not be more than 2 years old with respect to the start date of your programme.

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  Required score: at least 7.0 on the academic module, with a minimum score of 6.5 for the separate components of the test.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
  Required score: at least 100 (internet based test) with a minimum score for the separate components of the test:
  • Reading: 24
  • Listening: 22
  • Speaking: 25
  • Writing: 24
• Cambridge International Examination.
  Required score: at least 190 on C1 Advanced.

Exemption applies to candidates who completed an entirely English-taught academic or Master’s programme (in which case we ask for a proof that the language of instruction is English).