How to become a PhD candidate
To become a PhD candidate you can apply to a specific PhD position that can be found on our vacancy website.
If you can't find vacancies fitting your research interest, please consider sending an open application to the secretary of the research department of your interest.
Admission requirements
To apply for a PhD position you must:
- Be familiar with the theory and methodology of the research field
- Have a Dutch master’s degree (or a foreign equivalent)
- Be proficient in English
Please read the job description carefully for any additional requirements.
English language requirement
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that you are able to:
- Communicate and interact well
- Participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses
- Write scientific articles and your dissertation
- Successfully defend your PhD dissertation
Here's the minimum requirement if you want to apply for a PhD or EngD programme at TU Delft:
- A TOEFL iBT with an overall band score of at least 100 and a minimum score of 22 for each section. TU Delft does not accept TOEFL MyBest scores; the required scores should be obtained in one single test.
- An IELTS (academic version) with an overall band score of at least 7.0 and a minimum of 6.5 for each section (IELTS One Skill Retake will be accepted. Please check in advance if this test is available at your test centre). The IELTS Online (Academic) test and the IELTS Indicator test cannot be accepted.
- A Cambridge Assessment English. Only the following certificates are accepted:
- C1 Advanced (Certificate of Advanced English) with an overall score of 185
- C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Proficiency in English) with an overall score of 185
You do not need to present the test results as part of your application; these results will be requested at a later stage during the selection procedure.
Accommodations for test takers with disabilities or health-related needs
The testing institutions IELTS and TOEFL have accommodations available for test takers with a specific learning difficulty – for instance dyslexia or a motor disability – or health related needs. If you, for example, need an extension of the test time, you can discuss this personally with the testing institution. For more information please visit the IELTS website and the TOEFL IBT Test website.
Exemptions from English proficiency test
Native speakers will be exempt from the English test requirement, as well as, in principle, non-native applicants who have obtained an English-taught Master’s degree. If during the selection process it is deemed that the English proficiency of the candidate with an English-taught Master’s degree does not meet the requirements, they may also be asked to do a placement test. This test can only be taken at TU Delft and not online.
