Requirements
PhD Programme
In order to be a PhD student in the Netherlands, you need a degree equivalent to a Dutch Master's degree. The degree should usually be in one of the following fields:
- computer science
- mathematics
- artificial intelligence
- logic
The GPiL PhD programme is highly competitive, and we accept only students with a strong academic record and a high potential for research excellence. Typically, the research experience is gained during the writing of an MA or MSc research thesis.
Even if one meets all the requirement above, it is still necessary that the ILLC is able to find a potential PhD supervisor for the candidate. Unfortunately, this is not always possible.
MSc in Logic and Logic Year
The applicant must have at least a Bachelor's or equivalent degree in one of the following fields:
- computer science
- artificial intelligence
- mathematics
- philosophy
- linguistics
All applicants must have a reasonable background in logic, affinity with mathematical and formal thinking and some familiarity with mathematical proofs. In practice, this means that we expect that incoming students have had a formal introduction to logic up to the completeness theorem for first-order logic and have taken courses requiring mathematical or formal reasoning.
In addition, applicants are required to have a strong academic record, and must satisfy the English language requirements (see below). The tight schedule of the programme leaves very little room to compensate for deficiencies.
Advanced students (typically students who already have an MSc or MA degree in a related subject) can apply for transfer credits on the basis of a strong academic record and relevant courses they have taken by contacting Dr. Ulle Endriss. Each application will be individually judged by the Board of Examiners. Depending on the transfer credits granted it is possible to complete the MSc programme in one year.
English Language Requirements
All non-native speakers of English applying for the programme are required to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English to enroll in university courses. Students must be able to read textbooks, understand lectures, take part in classroom discussions and do written work in English.
Applicants have to demonstrate English proficiency as demanded by the faculty administration. For more information about these requirements and which tests to take, we refer to the these UvA pages of the MSc Logic.
For Dutch students, English at VWO level is sufficient for these purposes.