The Erasmus Part-time PhD Programme in Management and Economics is a flexible, English-based programme focused on developing and nurturing your academic knowledge in balance with your career.
The programme is hosted by the Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM). Founded by Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus Unviersity (RSM) and Erasmus School of Economics (ESE), ERIM is committed to research excellence: Offering outstanding education, together with leading-edge facilities and generous funding, ERIM is one of the best places to cultivate your academic expertise.
Research facilities
PhD candidates enjoy excellent study and research facilities at ERIM.
- ERIM Support Programmes: Financial support for research-related activities
- Erasmus Behavioural Lab (EBL): For conducting behavioural experiments
- Erasmus Survey Centre (ESC): Advanced software and servers to design and conduct surveys
- Erasmus Data Service Centre (EDSC): Access to financial and social science databases
- Academic Licenses and Databases: Specialised research software and access to more than 250 databases
Research areas
Research at Erasmus School of Economics covers topics in economics and business. Read more about the research area's and programmes on the Research page.
Curriculum
The Part-time PhD programme spans five to six years and consists of eight modules, each lasting three to four consecutive days in Rotterdam. These modules cover a wide range of theoretical foundations and practical skills, all taught in English. Your PhD thesis will also be written in English, adhering to international academic standards.
| Year 1 | Four residential modules focusing on research methods, essential skills, and developing your research proposal. |
| Year 2 | One residential module covering field-specific specialisations, master classes, and a ‘back to campus’ module for presenting your work. |
| Years 3-4 | A ‘back to campus’ module to support your ongoing research. |
| Years 5-6 | Ongoing dissertation writing and finalisation. |
Programme schedule
Module 1.1 (September – October)
- Kick-off: Introduction to the Part-time PhD Programme and ERIM
- Philosophy of Science 1
- Integrity in Research
- Engaged Research
Module 1.2 (December)
- Introduction to Econometrics
- Introduction to Causal Inference
- Individual Research Inspiration: Meeting with supervisors and department
- Alternative Quant Approaches
Module 1.3 (May)
- Proposal Development Day
- Proposal Reflection & Feedback Day
- Introduction to Qualitative Methods
- Philosophy of Science 2
Online courses
- Systematic Literature Review
- Finding Scholarly Literature and Data
- Introduction to Academic Writing
- Workshop on Research Data Management
Module 2.1 (November)
- Developing Argumentative Writing
- Individual Research Inspiration: Meeting with supervisors and department
- Developing Theory and Theoretical Contributions
- Academic Presentation Skills
Module 2.2 (April)
- Writing the Front End of a Paper
- Research Day
- Advanced Qualitative Research
- Advanced Quantitative Research
Module 3.1 (April)
- Publication Strategy
- Research Day
- Presentation Skills
Module 4.1 (April)
- Academics and Preacademics
- Research Day
- Effective Paper Revision
- Science and Society
Tuition
The programme fee is €10,000 per year for the first two years, €7,000 for years 3 and 4, and €6,000 for each subsequent year.
These fees include access to courses, tuition, personalised coaching and supervision, use of our research facilities, and the design, layout, and printing of your PhD thesis. You will also receive support from our communications team to help share your research with the corporate world and relevant media outlets.
Admission and Application
Admission to our Part-time PhD programme is a competitive process designed to select the most motivated of professionals.
To apply for ERIM’s Part-time PhD programme, you must:
- Be in a relevant discipline with a strong interest in research and be willing to combine the programme with your full-time or part-time job.
- Have a proven track record that demonstrates your interest in research, such as excellent academic results or published work (e.g., white papers or articles).
- Hold an MSc degree in a relevant discipline. Candidates with an MBA who have written an MBA thesis may also be eligible.
- Provide proof of English proficiency.
To submit your application, please prepare and submit the necessary documentation as detailed under the Application section.
Application process
Applications for the next academic year open on 15 January 2025, with a submission deadline of 15 March 2025.
Submitting your application
The applications are entirely online. Please scan and upload the required documents in the online application form. Scanned documents should ideally be in PDF format (but Word and JPEG files are accepted if necessary). Only one file per document is allowed, so you may need to merge multiple documents into a single file. Find out which documents are required under Application components below.
Applications submitted by email are not accepted.
For your application to be considered, please prepare and submit the following documents using the online application form:
- Curriculum Vitae (in English): A comprehensive overview of your academic and professional background.
- Certified diplomas and transcripts
- Certified copies of your BSc diploma(s) and grade list(s), both in the original language and translated if necessary.
- Certified copies of your MSc or MBA diploma(s) and grade list(s), including translations if not in English or Dutch. To be eligible, your degree must include a written thesis.
- Motivation letter: Explain why you want to pursue a PhD programme. Include details about your educational and professional background and outline your desired research area.
- Research proposal coordinated with the intended supervisor from ESE. Provide a proposal outlining the research questions you intend to explore and the methodologies you plan to employ. Indicate whether your research will utilise data from your current employer or relate to your current profession.
- Proof of academic writing: Submit a sample of your academic writing in English, such as a chapter from your master’s thesis, a paper, or a research proposal.
- Proof of English proficiency: For non-native speakers, submit TOEFL scores (minimum 100) or IELTS scores (minimum 7.5). Test results must be less than two years old. If the language of instruction of your entire university education was English, you may apply for an exemption.
- Academic references: Two reference letters are required. Ideally, the letters should come from your manager or senior, and/or from someone able to assess your research potential. The reference letters should focus on your research qualities. Submit it in the online form under section ‘Additional documents’.
- A reference letter from the future supervisor. Note that at least one of the supervisors has to be employed full-time by ESE.
- Optional documents
- GMAT/GRE Scores: If available, include results to strengthen your application. Note that the Admissions Committee may ask for a GRE. This way the Admissions Committee can use the test results as a way of assessing research potential.
Only complete applications, submitted electronically with all documents included, will be considered. Applications submitted via email will not be considered.