Frequently Asked Questions


Application process

When will the Fall intake start?

1 November 2024

When is the application deadline?

  • 15 January 2025

The deadline for application is specified in each project description as well. Please note that the deadlines for some PhD vacancies might differ from the above-mentioned general deadlines. Please find further details on the PhD Vacancies page.

Should I contact the project supervisors myself?

No, you are not expected to contact the project supervisors yourself (unless indicated otherwise in the vacancy announcement). They will contact you if they have questions or want to schedule an interview.

Number of projects one can apply for?

Maximum two (2), additional applications will be invalidated. These can be two projects of the same specialization.

Do you charge an application fee?

No, we do not charge an application fee.

I live outside the Netherlands. Am I supposed to come to Rotterdam for an interview if the project supervisor would like to contact me?

Online interviews (via Skype, Zoom or MS Teams) can be used as an alternative to a meeting in person.

When will the selection results be available?

The selection results will be communicated to the applicants approximately two months after the application deadline (mid-March).

Can I inquire about the status of my application?

We would kindly ask you not to inquire about the selection results before the selection period is over. The results are always communicated to applicants in due time.

Good to know before you decide to apply

Do all PhD projects have to start in September or are there any exceptions?

Normally, the new PhD projects should start in September with the start of the new academic year. In some cases, a different start date is possible. For example, if you are selected for a PhD but will officially acquire your master's degree in September, then it is possible to start later with your PhD (e.g. per October or November). Other exceptions may also be possible.

Can I participate in the PhD programme in Management and keep living outside the Netherlands?

No, the ERIM PhD in Management programme is only offered on a full-time and on-campus basis.

Do you offer part-time opportunities?

The ERIM PhD in Management programme is offered only on a full-time basis. For a part-time PhD option, please refer to this site.

What is the PhD tuition fee?

We do not charge fees to accepted PhD candidates.

Scholarship?

Our PhD positions are fully funded in accordance with the Dutch labour laws. No need to fill out scholarship forms. Upon admission, the scholarship (salary) is automatically granted.

Housing?

No, ERIM does not provide housing facilities.

Do you support the sandwich model?

No.

Diploma, Transcript and Academic Background

How do I obtain certified copies of my diplomas and transcripts?

A certified copy can be issued by your university, a notary, a sworn translator or at a City Hall.

I will officially complete my master’s degree within a few weeks/months after the application deadline. Can I still apply?

Yes, you can apply. In this case you need to submit the most recent (provisional) official list of grades instead of the final transcript. Naturally, one can only be appointed for a PhD when the master's degree is formally obtained and the final study results are excellent.

Is my educational background sufficient for the PhD in Management?

The required entrance level of education for students to the PhD Programme in Management at ERIM is four years of Dutch scientific university education (MSc or MA) or its international equivalent. Diploma equivalency checks on non-Dutch diplomas are done as part of the standard admission procedure. If we are in doubt, we always ask the Admissions Office of the Erasmus University for an assessment of an applicant’s educational profile. Please refer to the website of Nuffic to estimate the equivalency of your diploma. 

I have an MBA degree. Can I apply for the PhD in Management?

The required entrance level of education for students to the PhD Programme in Management at ERIM is four years of Dutch scientific university education (MSc or MA) or its international equivalent. MBA degree holders may apply for a PhD, but they should note that the MBA degree does not grant an automatic admission to a PhD in the Netherlands. The reason is that MBA programmes (including the highly ranked ones) are mostly practically and not academically oriented. If your MBA programme includes a graded master thesis as a standard part of its curriculum then it is more likely that this particular MBA degree would give you an admission to a doctorate in the Netherlands.

Can you confirm my eligibility if I email my documents to ERIM?

ERIM does not conduct preliminary assessments, so please do not send us any documents by email. It is not possible for us to evaluate your eligibility over the phone or email.

Reference Letters

Reference letters?

You have to have two (2) letters of reference. Only academic reference letters will be accepted. Once you submitted your application, your referees will receive an automatic email from us to submit their reference letters. We ask you to inform your referee that you have provided her or his contact details (where possible) and that we may contact this person. We ask for two references but you may provide a third reference if you prefer to do so.

GMAT/GRE and TOEFL/IELTS

Is a GMAT or GRE test required for all applicants?

The following answer applies to ERIM/RSM projects: 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. 

Are there minimum requirements for GMAT/GRE and TOEFL/IELTS tests?

The following answer applies to ERIM/RSM projects: Ideally you have GMAT/GRE scores that place you in or above the 85th percentile of the test takers and a good command of English. For internet-based TOEFL, a minimum total score of 100 is required, and all section scores (writing, speaking, reading, and listening) should be at least 23. For paper-based TOEFL, a minimum of 600 is required. For IELTS, an overall band score of 7.5 is required, and all section scores (writing, speaking, reading, and listening) should be at least 6.5.

Do you accept results from an online GMAT/GRE/TOEFL/IELTS test?

Yes, we do accept results from online versions of the required tests, but this does not apply to online IELTS. Please make sure the official score report will be sent to ERIM.

My GMAT/GRE/TOEFL/IELTS test results turned out lower than I expected (due to illness, lack of time for preparation, etc.). Can I re-take a test?

Yes, you may re-take the tests. If you have improved the score, the admissions committee will take into consideration the better scores.

My official GMAT/GRE report can only be available shortly after the application deadline. Is that a problem?

The official results take ca. 3 weeks. However, the unofficial test results are available immediately after the test. You can submit them in your online application before the official results arrive. 

Can I replace a GMAT/GRE test by a similar kind of test taken at my university or at the ministry of education of my country?

No, we only accept official GMAT or GRE test results.

Do I need to submit a TOEFL/IELTS test if I have done a GMAT/GRE test?

Yes, applicants are required to provide a TOEFL/IELTS language test result.

Can I apply for a waiver from GMAT/GRE and TOEFL/IELTS?

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. It is possible to apply for a waiver from TOEFL/IELTS if the medium of instruction for your entire university education (bachelor and master's programme) was English. In this case please enclose an extra letter with your motivation to your application. Do not forget to enclose any relevant documents.

The bachelor/master programme(s) I have followed was/were taught in English. Do I still need to submit a TOEFL/IELTS test?

In general, ERIM requires that applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores of the TOEFL or 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.

Do you accept English proficiency tests other than TOEFL/IELTS?

No.

Do you accept the TOEFL ITP test?

No.