0

I'm a 37-year-old student with 12 years professional experience in the field of the PhD and a strong BA (Hons) in the academic field of the project. Linguistic fluency in the indigenous languages and 1 peer-reviewed academic paper. I'm wondering if I can apply for a PhD in the Netherlands with this profile?

I have direct field research experience in the project area and I'm currently working as a research assistant/fellow at a social science research institute.

Do you think I have a chance?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4

It is true that in the Netherlands they prefer it if you have a masters. However, some people have been admitted and completed PhD programs without one. I am one of those people, and I had less industry experience than yourself.

I think your chances are good, and your CV sounds better than many people with a masters. But it will depend on your potential supervisors. You should contact prospective supervisors beforehand (this is what I did). Sometimes there are administrative issues, so the supervisors will have to explain to the graduate school in the university why they are hiring someone without a masters.

Improve this answer
2
  • 4
    "Prefer" is kind of an understatement. It is literally written into the law that you must have a Masters to get a PhD, but there is a clause that in exceptional circumstances an exception can be made. A good amount of industry experience could be sufficient for that, but it's highly unusual and will be a lot of administrative work. Artikel 7.18 Wet op het hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek
    – Tom van der Zanden
    Commented May 27, 2018 at 12:26
  • "and will be a lot of administrative work." - this didn't seem to be the case when I started my PhD (2012).
    – Dr. Thomas C. King
    Commented May 27, 2018 at 15:23

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .