Applicants to the international ASCoR PhD programme are required to have a Research Master degree in Communication Science or equivalent qualifications. A Research Master degree is a 2-year Master programme with 60 ECTS in methodology and statistics. Admission will take into account the student's academic performance, the quality of his or her Master's thesis, and personal motivation to conduct a PhD research project. In general, our PhD candidates are among the top Master students.

Tailor-made transfer programme

Candidates who do not hold a Research Master degree or a Master degree in Communication Science, or a closely related field - such as (Mass) Communication Studies, Media Studies, or Journalism - will be asked to complete a made-to-measure transfer programme.

• The transfer programme for non-Research Masters consists of 30 ECTS of methodological coursework, to be finished prior to the start of the PhD project.
• The transfer programme for non-Communication Science Masters consists of an Intensive Introduction to Communication Science, to be completed prior to the start of the PhD project, plus 12 ECTS of Master coursework during the first two years of the PhD project.

The three options to enter the ASCoR PhD Programme are listed below:

Applying to an advertised project

Every year a number of specific PhD research projects are advertised. These projects come with a stipend or salary, and a tuition waiver. Vacancies are announced on the website of the University of Amsterdam: PhD vacancies.

Submitting your own research proposal

Since the number of advertised vacancies with tuition waivers is limited, ASCoR also admits excellent students into the program on the basis of their own research proposal. The proposal should fit the ASCoR research programme. You are expected to show that funds are available to cover living expenses for the duration of the project and for project costs. Moreover, you have to find a professor who is willing to supervise your project. When these conditions are met you may submit your research proposal

More information on the contents of your research proposal can be found in the FAQs under the header: What are the guidelines for a research proposal? Please keep in mind that students submitting their own research proposal are not eligible for a scholarship or any other form of funding from ASCoR, and that a tuition fee will usually apply.

PhD research visit

If you are a PhD candidate at another university, in the Netherlands or abroad, we welcome your application for a research visit to ASCoR. PhD research visits at ASCoR preferably last at least 3 months and can last up to one year. ASCoR requires that the home university and supervisor(s) support the visit. If you would like to apply for a research visit to ASCoR, please download the PhD research visit application form, which also includes relevant information on submission requirements, facilities and costs.

PhD Application

If you would like to pursue a PhD project at ASCoR, please complete the Application form for PhD positions and ensure to include all documents listed in the checklist (Section C of the application form). Please return the completed ASCoR PhD application form to the ASCoR Secretariat by email. 

PhD Research Visit Application

Download the PhD Research Visit application form which includes a checklist, as well as background information on our programme and general information about the city of Amsterdam, costs and housing.