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Doing a PhD after your Master’s

Last modified on 22-04-2025 15:31
Thinking of doing a PhD after your Master’s? Discover whether a PhD is right for you and learn where to get more information about doing a PhD at the UvA or elsewhere in the Netherlands.
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Rate yourself: is a PhD right for you?

Find out if doing a PhD is right for you by doing the following exercise:

Rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 5 on the aspects listed below, where 1 means “to a very low degree”, 3 is neutral and 5 means “to a very significant degree”:

  • enjoyment of learning                    
  • ingenuity/originality of thought   
  • analytical skills                                  
  • results (average marks + nominal)
  • learning pace/planning skills        
  • academic writing                              
  • command of academic English     
  • independence/self-discipline/perseverance        
  • budget/project management        

Let others rate you

You can also ask people who know you to rate you on these qualities. Remember that it's for you to choose whom to ask for feedback, and for you to decide what to do with their feedback.

Discussing the results with others can clarify things for you. Use this exercise as a means to facilitate a dialogue with others about your opportunities and options. For example, you can discuss the results with a career adviser.

Talk to people in your study environment

A growing number of PhD positions require you to hold a Research Master’s degree before you can be admitted. Examine the differences between 1-year and a 2-year Master’s programmes and talk to people in your study environment, such as your study adviser, lecturers, supervisor or PhD candidates. Explain that you're exploring the option of doing a PhD and ask for their advice and tips. Try to find out where PhD candidates in your field end up working. This could also be the beginning of your professional network as a budding academic.

Become familiar with researchers 

What researcher would you like to work with and at what research institution? Who teaches the Master’s and Research Master's programmes and what kind of research do they do? You should also try to find potential supervisors.

Financing a doctorate

Doctoral positions are funded in various ways in the Netherlands. You can pursue a doctorate with an employment contract or without an employment contract. In the latter case, you will not receive a salary from the university, but you will have to find an employer to pay you or obtain a scholarship from the university.

Follow developments in academic research in the Netherlands and find out where research funding etc. comes from to make sure you're properly informed about the types of doctoral positions and types of funding available.

Vacancies for doctoral positions

More information

Find out more about obtaining a PhD at the UvA on uva.nlExternal link