Students in ASCoR's International Ph.D. program are part of an intellectually challenging environment. This includes ASCoR research faculty and other Ph.D. students, and scholars from Political Science, Anthropology, and Sociology. Students are encouraged to join various workshops, colloquia, conferences, and other meetings. Office facilities are provided for each student, as well as library and multimedia computer facilities, and means for travel to international conferences. There is furthermore funding for the costs of data collection related to the thesis, the size and availability of which are subject to internal competition. With 750,000 inhabitants, the city of Amsterdam has much more to offer intellectually and culturally, than could possibly be listed on this website.

City and university

The ASCoR international Ph.D program is offered through the Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA). Founded in 1632, the UvA now has more than 25,000 students and 5000 staff. The university is housed in historic buildings in the centre of Amsterdam. ASCoR is located in the East Indies House - the building was formerly the home of The Dutch East Indies Company. This building can be easily reached by bicycle or public transportation. With 750,000 inhabitants, the city of Amsterdam has much more to offer intellectually and culturally, than we could possibly list on this website. It is a modern, multi-cultural city with a wide range of entertainment, a dynamic nightlife, and has excellent shopping opportunities.The beautiful historic city centre is famous for its monuments and canals, and there are also museums, concert halls, art galleries, and cultural manifestations of every description. Amsterdam is also leader in finance and trade and lies at the heart of Europe. Less than a day's journey by train takes you to most other European cities, such as London, Paris, or Vienna.

Housing

There is a severe housing shortage in the city of Amsterdam and therefore housing in the city of Amsterdam itself will always be difficult to find, though not impossible. ASCoR will do everything within its power to help finding housing for you if you are a non-Dutch student and have been accepted in the ASCoR International Ph.D program, but much may also depend on your own initiative. The rent for single rooms can be estimated at a minimum of approximately Euro 400 per month. for more information on housing see also accommodation

Expenses

Room and board and miscellaneous expenses are estimated at a minimum of Euro 800. The costs of health insurance can be estimated at Euro 60 a month.

Visa

Students from certain countries will need a visa to stay in the Netherlands for study purposes longer than three months. These students must comply with the regulations governing recidence in the Netherlands. The admission procedure is complex and often lengthy and it may take a considerable time for a visa to be issued.

Students are expected to verify the procedures for obtaining a student visa themselves by contacting the Dutch Counsulate in their home country.
For more information about the procedure, see also the website of the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education (NUFFIC) http://www.nuffic.nl/immigration

Dutch language courses

Although all courses in ASCoR's Ph.D. program are taught in English, students are encouraged to learn Dutch while living in the Netherlands. For more information about Dutch intensive summer courses for Ph.D. students you can contact the: Institute for Dutch as second language
Address: Spuistraat 134, 1012 VB Amsterdam, Phone: +31 (0)20 525 4642