Academic Requirements
PhD programme
For the PhD programme applicants are required to have a Masters degree in one of the social sciences. They must have obtained at least class 2.1, B+ or equivalent as determined by the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education (Nuffic).
Applications for the PhD programme must be accompanied by a carefully presented research proposal (an outline of your intended research). Please check the PhD programme for more information and examples.
MA and Postgraduate Diploma programmes
For the MA programme and the Postgraduate Diploma programmes applicants are required to have a Bachelors degree in one of the social sciences or equivalent, comprising at least three years studies at a recognized university or institute of higher education. They must have obtained at least class 2.2 (Lower Second), B or equivalent, but preferably class 2.1 (Upper Second), B+ or equivalent.
Applicants from India with a BA degree from a four or five star university, as detemined by the NAAC are admissible. Other Indian applicants, as well as applicants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan are required to have an MA degree.
Professional experience relevant to the Major which the applicant wishes to study is normally expected and is a preference for admission.
Short Courses
For the short course applicants are required to have completed a Bachelors degree or equivalent (three years minimum university study) in one of the social sciences. In addition, applicants are expected to have professional experience relevant to the short course.
Language requirements
ISS language requirements are the same regardless of programme.
ISS does not require a language certificate from native English speakers of the following countries:
Australia, Botswana, Canada,Cameroon (English-speaking region), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda (English-speaking region), South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
All other candidates must provide a certificate from either TOEFL or the IELTS
The IELTS score must be 6.5 overall for the Academic Test
The TOEFL score must be:
- for the paper test (PBT) 580
- for the computer-based test (CBT) 237
- for the internet test (IBT) 92
Important: TOEFL and IELTS can send your test information directly to ISS:
- TOEFL: The ISS Institution Code is 9714 and the Department Code is 01.
- IELTS: The ISS Scheme Code is 9714.
Certain other tests, such as ALIGU and Michigan, are also recognised and should show equivalent results.
Chinese applicants are advised to take the IELTS test due to visa requirements for The Netherlands.
ISS does not require a language certificate from native English speakers of the following countries: Australia, Botswana, Canada,Cameroon (English-speaking region), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda (English-speaking region), South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The ISS reserves the right to reject other certificates of English proficiency that cannot be readily established as equivalent to IELTS or TOEFL.
Important note: Your application can be assessed without the results of your English test. If accepted, you will receive a conditional admission letter, which you can use to apply for a fellowship. Once your test results have been received, if they are sufficient, you will receive a formal (unconditional) admission letter. Satisfactory test scores must be received before you may start your programme at the ISS.
