Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam PhD 2026: Salary, Scholarships & Admission Process

Programme Overview

Institution: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Programme duration: 3–4 years (full-time) or part-time (more than 4 years)

What Is This?

At VU Amsterdam, you can start a PhD programme in various ways: as an employee of VU Amsterdam, or without an employment relationship — for example, with the help of a scholarship or external funding. The route you take determines your salary, fees, and benefits.

Funding Routes

Route 1 — Employed PhD (Most Common) This is the standard route. VU Amsterdam posts paid PhD vacancies across its nine faculties. As an employed PhD candidate, you receive a monthly salary under the Dutch university salary scale and pay no tuition fees. Employed PhD candidates are also eligible for Erasmus+ staff funding for research visits and training within Europe.

Browse current vacancies at workingat.vu.nl/phd

Route 2 — China Scholarship Council (CSC) — Chinese Nationals Only Selected Chinese candidates can enrol as a PhD candidate at 6 of VU Amsterdam's 9 faculties. For a full PhD, the scholarship covers 48 months of research. The CSC allowance is €2,000 per month, which meets Dutch income requirements for a visa. Candidates are exempt from registration, tuition, and research fees. Upon completion, candidates must return to China in accordance with CSC regulations. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

There is also a visiting PhD option: as a visiting PhD candidate, your stay at VU Amsterdam is a minimum of 24 months, after which you return to your home institution in China for your dissertation defence. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Route 3 — Scholarship or Externally Funded PhD You bring your own grant from your home country government or another external funder. Note: external PhD candidates at VU Amsterdam pay tuition fees on a yearly basis, paid directly to the faculty or graduate school. Each faculty defines its own fees based on training, supervision time, and access to facilities. Exemptions and waivers are available under certain conditions. Universiteit van Amsterdam

Route 4 — Self-Funded PhD As a self-funded PhD candidate, you conduct your PhD research entirely in your own time and with your own resources. This route is typically for working professionals.

Eligibility Requirements

Each faculty sets academic requirements, but standard requirements across all PhD candidates are: a completed Master's degree and a good level of English. Minimum English scores are IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (no subscore below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 92. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

How to Apply

• For a funded vacancy: Browse and apply at workingat.vu.nl/phd — each listing has its own deadline and required documents.

• For the CSC route: once you have been accepted by the CSC, VU Amsterdam will contact you regarding your visa application. VU Amsterdam has limited housing options and cannot guarantee accommodation. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

• For scholarship/external route: Secure your funding first, then contact the relevant faculty's Graduate School to begin the admission process.