Application guide
- The Graduate School reserves the right to reject any applications which do not include the mandatory documentation or live up to the limitations stated below.
- To learn more about the content of the different schemes please see PhD degree structure.
- Apply only to one PhD programme. If the Graduate School finds that your application applies better to another PhD programme your application will be assessed by the relevant committee there.
- If you have any questions regarding the application process please see frequently asked questions or contact us at the Graduate School.
- The Graduate School adheres to the Aarhus University guidelines for international research and innovation.
- The application (including all attached documentation) must be written in Danish or English.
- The application must include the documentation outlined below according to the scheme you wish to apply to.
- All documents must be in pdf-format.
- All documentation (including references) you want assessed as part of your application, must be received by the Graduate School no later than the application deadline.
- No documentation for language skills are required in the application process. However, excellent communication skills in English are considered essential, and the applicant must be able to read, write, and speak academic English fluently. English language requirement is comparable to a minimum of TOEFL 83 or IELTS 6,5, corresponding to Danish Highschool level B. The PhD administration may ask applicants to document their proficiency in English at any time during the recruitment process if this is considered necessary.
Applicants are very much encouraged to supply documentation as to how they rank compared to their class (both bachelor and master degrees) if the entrance exams are from a foreign university. This may for example be in form of a letter from the university stating that either how you rank as an individual compared to other students (“ranks as no. 6 out of 111” or “ranks as among the best 8 percent”) or if that is not possible then general information from the university as to how grades were distributed the year of your graduation will be appreciated.
Applications for the 3-year scheme must include:
The application must include all off the following documents:
- The motivation must be no more than 2,400 characters, spaces included. The number of characters must be stated in the document.
- Curriculum vitae (resumé)
- The project description must be no more than 12,000 characters, spaces included. This includes details on topic and thesis statement, suggestions for relevant theory and literature, project hypotheses, considerations on methodology and data, figures/tables, as well as a realizable 3-year project schedule. In case figures and/or tables are included, they each count 800 characters regardless of size. The limitation of 12,000 characters is exclusive of list of references. The number of characters must be stated on the first page of the project description. Different types of reference systems are accepted. The Graduate School reserves the right to reject the application if the project description exceeds 12,000 characters including figures
- If externally financed scholarship: signed declaration on PhD application with externally financed scholarship (see here for more information)
- 1 compiled pdf file containing:
- Master Diploma. If the Master’s degree has not yet been completed a document stating that must be included instead
- Transcript of records for qualifying Master’s degree, i.e. details on completed course work and marks/grades obtained for the qualifying Master’s degree. If the Master’s degree has not yet been completed an up-to-date transcript of records must be included instead
- 1 compiled pdf file containing:
- Bachelor Diploma
- Transcript of records for qualifying Bachelor’s degree , i.e. details on completed course work and marks/grades obtained for the qualifying Bachelor’s degree
Applications for the 4-year scheme must include:
The application must include all off the following documents:
- The motivation must be no more than 2,400 characters, space included. The number of characters must be stated in the document
- Curriculum vitae (resumé)
- The preliminary project description must be no more than 12,000 characters, space included. The description should account for the preliminary plans for the progress of the PhD studies, including topic proposal. In case figures and/or tables are included, they each count 800 characters regardless of size. The limitation of 12,000 characters is exclusive of list of references. The number of characters must be stated on the first page of the project description. Different types of reference systems are accepted. The Graduate School reserves the right to reject the application if the project description exceeds 12,000 characters including figures.
- If externally financed scholarship: signed declaration on PhD application with externally financed scholarship (see here for more information)
- 1 compiled pdf file containing:
- Master Diploma. A document stating that the Master’s degree has not yet been completed and that this is a 4+4 application, must be included instead
- Transcript of records for qualifying Master study, documentation of completed course work and marks/grades of 60 ECTS in a Master’s programme
- 1 compiled pdf file containing:
- Bachelor Diploma
- Transcript of records for qualifying Bachelor’s degree , i.e.details on completed course work and marks/grades obtained for the qualifying Bachelor’s degree
Applications for the 5-year scheme must include:
The application must include all off the following documents:
- The motivation must be no more than 2,400 characters, spaces included. The number of characters must be stated in the document
- Curriculum vitae (resumé)
- The preliminary project description must be a brief outline of no more than 4,800 characters, space included. It should describe project topics which may constitute the preliminary plans for the PhD studies. In case figures and/or tables are included, they each count 800 characters regardless of size. The number of characters must be stated on the first page of the project description. The Graduate School reserves the right to reject the application if the project description exceeds 4,800 characters including figures.
- If externally financed scholarship: signed declaration on PhD application with externally financed scholarship (see here for more information)
- 1 compiled pdf file containing:
- Master Diploma. A document stating that the Master’s degree has not yet been completed and that this is a 3+5 application must be uploaded instead
- Transcript of records for qualifying Master study, a document stating that the Master’s degree has not yet been completed and that this is a 3+5 application must be included instead
- 1 compiled pdf file containing:
- Bachelor Diploma. If the Bachelor’s degree has not yet been completed a document stating that must be included instead
- Transcript of records for qualifying Bachelor’s degree, i.e. details on completed course work and marks/grades obtained for the qualifying Bachelor’s degree. If the Bachelor’s degree has not yet been completed an up-to-date transcript of records must be included instead
