Application


Application Period

Applications to the ERIM PhD Programme for the next available intake (new academic year) are fully electronic and are made available in Fall (November) every year. The application deadline is mid-January. The processing of applications begins mid-January/February, and applicants are advised of admissions decisions mid March.

Please note that the deadlines for some specific PhD vacancies might differ from the above-mentioned general deadlines. An occasional PhD vacancy might become available outside the annual recruitment round. The deadline for application is specified in each project description. Please find further details on the PhD Vacancies page.

PhD Project Selection

To apply for the PhD Programme in Management, every applicant first needs to choose among the available PhD positions (see the PhD Vacancies page). Please note that you can only apply to a maximum of two PhD projects.

Application Procedure

You need to submit your application online.

For the online application, applicants need to scan and upload several files and required documents. Only one file per required document is allowed, so you may have to merge several documents into one. Your uploaded files are preferably in PDF format, although MS Word and jpeg are also accepted.

Required Documents for ERIM/RSM PhD projects

We advise you to prepare all the required documents specified below, before you start filling in the online application form.

Required documents
1. Curriculum vitae in English, including all personal data.
2. A certified copy of all academic diplomas in the original language (certified copies should bear the original sign and original seal of the issuing office). If you are still in process of completing your current degree programme and do not have a diploma yet, you will need to provide it as soon as it is available.  
3. A certified translation of academic diplomas in English or Dutch (if applicable). If a translation is not available from the issuing office, a translation bearing the original sign of a sworn translator will be accepted.
4. A certified copy of all academic transcripts (lists of grades) in the original language (certified copies should bear the original sign and original seal of the issuing office). If you are still in the process of completing your current degree programme and do not have a final list of grades yet, you will need to provide a provisional grade list first. It should be an official document issued or verified by the registrar's office or examination administration. It should not be older that one month at the moment of application. If you submit a provisional grade list, you will still need to provide the official one as soon as it becomes available.  
5. A certified translation of the transcripts in English or Dutch (if applicable). If a translation is not available from the issuing office, a translation bearing the original sign of a sworn translator will be accepted.
6. Two academic reference letters (only academic reference letters are accepted). You will specify the e-mail address, affiliation and position of the referees in the online application form. We ask you to inform your referee that you have provided his/her contact details (where possible) and that we may contact this person. They will be invited by ERIM to submit their reference letter. There is no special format for the reference letters. We ask for two references but you may provide a third reference if you prefer to do so.
7. Original GMAT or GRE test score (see Test Information), ideally you have GMAT/GRE test 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.  
8. Original TOEFL or IELTS test score (see Test Information)
9. 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)
10. 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). 
11. Publications and/or conference submissions (if applicable, not mandatory)

Note: Certified document copies should bear the original sign and original seal of the issuing office. If a translation of the document is not available from the registrar's office, a translation bearing the original sign and seal of a sworn translator will be accepted.

Applications by e-mail or fax are not accepted.

Only applications with all the required documents enclosed will be considered.

More information

If you have questions regarding the admission requirements and application rules, please refer to the Admission Requirements page and the FAQ page.

For information about the selection procedure, please consult our Selection Procedure page.

If you want to apply for the programme but couldn’t meet the application deadline or have other specific questions that are not listed on the FAQ page, please contact the ERIM Doctoral Office for personal advice at phdadmissions@erim.eur.nl.