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Types of PhD fellowships and scholarships

Aarhus University invites highly qualified graduates from all over the world to apply for admission to one of the university’s PhD programmes. Below you will find a general description of PhD scholarships/fellowships at Aarhus University. On the individual graduate school websites, you can find detailed information about specific scholarships as well as calls for applications, procedures and deadlines.

PhD projects:

  • Individual projects: You can apply for admission to a graduate school based on your academic record and a project proposal prepared by you and possibly a supervisor at Aarhus University.
  • Predefined projects: You can apply for a number of specific PhD positions with predefined project descriptions. Predefined projects are announced on the individual graduate school websites.

Documented funding for the entire PhD programme is a prerequisite for admission. You can either apply as a self-financed student or you can apply for scholarships/fellowships in connection with your application. Aarhus University offers several types of PhD scholarships/fellowships.

3-year PhD fellowships

To be considered for a 3-year PhD fellowship, you must have passed a qualifying exam that corresponds to 300 ECTS credits (e.g., a Bachelor’s degree corresponding to 180 ECTS credits and a Master’s degree corresponding to 120 ECTS credits). The holder of the fellowship is then employed as a PhD research fellow for three years.

4-year PhD scholarships

To be considered for a 4-year PhD scholarship, you must have passed a qualifying exam that corresponds to 240 ECTS credits (e.g., a Bachelor’s degree corresponding to 180 ECTS credits as well as Master’s degree exams corresponding to 60 ECTS credits, or a Master’s degree corresponding to 240 ECTS credits).

A 4-year PhD scholarship consists of two parts: part A (the first two years) and part B (the final two years). The recipient receives a monthly stipend as a scholar during part A. When he or she transitions to part B, the recipient is employed as a PhD fellow and receives a monthly salary. On the transition from part A to part B, the recipient is awarded a Danish Master’s degree . The transition from part A to part B also requires satisfactory completion of part A.

5-year PhD scholarships

To be considered for a 5-year PhD scholarship, you must have completed the Bachelor’s programme (the so-called 3+5 or Bologna Danese track that corresponds to 180 ECTS credits). On completion of a Bachelor’s degree, talented students are admitted directly to a programme which combines a Master's degree programme with a PhD programme.

The Industrial PhD Programme

The Industrial PhD Programme is a joint study programme between a university and a company or institution in the public or private sector. The Industrial PhD Programme supports innovation in the private and public sectors and trains researchers in collaboration with organisations such s as small businesses, corporations, non-profit organisations, etc.

Read more about the Industrial PhD Programme

Overview of the 3-, 4- and 5-year programmes