Admission Requirements


Note: If you are interested in a PhD in Economics, please visit the admissions requirements of the Erasmus School of Economics here.


Requirements for ERIM/RSM PhD projects

To be considered for a position in the ERIM/RSM PhD in Management programme applicants are expected to have:

  • At least an MSc, MA or MPhil degree in business or economics, or from related fields such as psychology, sociology, engineering, mathematics, etc. (depending on the PhD project)
     
  • Excellent results in their first degree/graduate study.
     
  • Explicit interest in and motivation for scientific research.
     
  • A GMAT-test (Graduate Management Admission Test) or GRE-test (Graduate Record Examinations), ideally you have GMAT/GRE scores that place you in or above the 85th percentile of the test takers. It is possible to apply without GMAT/GRE scores but we will look for additional evidence of excellence such as very good grades (top 15%) on your previous degrees (GPA), degrees from renowned universities, a very good Master thesis, research experience, publications, and or other output that documents scientific engagement. (The test results should not be older than five years.)
     
  • ERIM requires that applicants whose native language is not English have to submit scores of the TOEFL/IELTS test. If the language of instruction of your entire university education (bachelor and master programme) was English, you may submit a TOEFL/IELTS waiver request. The final decision on the waiver request will be made by ERIM. For internet-based TOEFL test, ERIM requires a total score of at least 100 and all section scores (writing, speaking, reading, and listening) should be at least 23. A minimum score of 600 is required on paper-based TOEFL test. For IELTS, the minimum overall band score is 7.5 and all section scores (writing, speaking, reading, and listening) should be at least 6.5. The language test results should not be older than two years.
     
  • A Statement of Purpose/Motivation Letter (why you wish to apply for a PhD position at ERIM and why you are the right person for this PhD position)
     
  • A Research Statement (please describe the type of research questions that you are interested in and the type of methodologies that you would like to use to answer this/these questions. This Research Statement should be a maximum of 2 pages (font 11, single interline). It may include academic references). 
     
  • In addition to these formal requirements, applicants for the Programme are selected on the basis of their CVs, academic references, and interview(s) with the potential supervisor(s).

For required documents, please view the Application page.

See the FAQ page for more questions on the application procedure and the required tests for the ERIM/RSM PhD positions.

Requirements for ERIM/ESE PhD projects

Before applying for a PhD position in Economics, check out the ESE admissions requirements page.