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External PhD candidates

Application for External PhD can be done in two ways:

1) by the candidate,

2) via a potential first supervisor

1) Application by the candidate

Candidates interested to pursue an external PhD trajectory are welcome to apply by filling in the application form below. After reviewing this application, the IMR Doctoral School will contact the interested candidate with a final decision or with a request for additional information.

Requirements for external PhD candidates

In order to be admitted as external PhD candidates at the IMR, candidates (both Dutch or international) must have an affinity with one or more IMR research topics (to be found here and hereand must display academic and research skills sufficient to begin their PhD research project.

The requirements for external PhD candidates are:

  • A Master’s degree in a relevant field, obtained at a Dutch university or recognized as the equivalent of a Dutch university programme;
  • A Research Proposal Outline using this template (docx, 33 kB)
  • A level of English that allows the candidate to carry out independent research (at the very least) at a Master’s level. Typically, English language skills are underpinned by one of the following certificates (not older than two years):
    • a TOEFL score of >600 (paper based), >250 (computer based), or >100 (internet based);
    • a IELTS score of >7.0, with sub-scores not lower than 6.5;
    • a Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a mark of C or higher.

2) Application via a potential first supervisor

Application for an external PhD trajectory via a potential first supervisor requires the submission the following documents to the IMR Doctoral School:

  • Scans of the candidate’s Master’s diploma and transcripts (list of grades);
  • The candidate’s CV and explicit mention of their current address;
  • A Research Proposal Outline using this template (docx, 33 kB)
  • A filled in recommendation form for external PhD candidates, which you can find here (this Intranet link is only accessible to people with a RU IMR account).

The Head of the Doctoral School will review these documents and make a decision regarding the admission of the (prospective) external PhD candidate to the IMR Doctoral School. Should the decision be a positive one, an admission letter will be issued, and P&O will be contacted to proceed with the registration formalities.