Graduate School

Applications

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. How can I best prepare for TI admission during my Bachelor or Master program?
  2. I have specific questions about the application procedure. Whom can I address?
  3. Does TI charge a fee for this application?
  4. I do not yet have the results of the GRE test. Can I already submit the online application form?
  5. Which GRE test do I take?
  6. Can I be exempted from the GRE test?
  7. Is GMAT also accepted instead of the GRE test?
  8. I requested ETS to send the official score form to another department at the University of Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit or Erasmus Universiteit. Will this do for Tinbergen Institute?
  9. Does it matter whether I take the TOEFL or IELTS test?
  10. Can I be exempted from the TOEFL or IELTS test?
  11. When can I expect a decision on my application?
  12. What formalities can I expect after having been accepted for the MPhil in Economics?
  13. Is it possible to apply to the institute for direct admission to a 3-year PhD research position?
  14. I followed (parts of) a master program elsewhere. Can I skip the first, core year of the MPhil program?
  15. There is overlap in TI's program with my earlier coursework. Can I get exemptions?
  16. I intend to apply for external funding and need help from Tinbergen Institute. How to proceed?
  17. How do I complete my application package?
  18. Can I pursue a PhD in Finance if I have taken the MPhil in Economics?
  19. Can I pursue a PhD in Economics if I have taken the MPhil in Finance?
  20. What are the admission requirements and application procedures for the MPhil in Finance program?
  21. Can I apply to both the MPhil in Economics and MPhil in Finance programs simultaneously? Should I?
  1. How can I best prepare for TI admission during my Bachelor or Master program?
    The MPhil and PhD in economics, econometrics, and finance is a challenging program building upon the quantitative and analytical paradigms developed in the discipline.
    Students in more business oriented undergraduate programs can improve their admission possibilities by extending their curriculum with some quantitative course work (e.g., linear algebra, mathematical statistics and probability theory, calculus). Students from more quantitative programs benefit from some initial coursework in micro or macroeconomics.
    Students opting for the more challenging Advanced Econometrics track in their first year, should have completed a solid Econometrics course at the level of a graduate economics program.

  2. I have specific questions about the application procedure. Whom can I address?
    The website provides detailed information. After submission of your online application you will receive a list of required documents to complete your application. If you still have questions, please address applications@tinbergen.nl. Any other address you use will cause delay.

  3. Does TI charge a fee for this application?
    No.

  4. I do not yet have the results of the GRE test. Can I already submit the online application form?
    No. Fill out the GRE test results on the form. Official score reports can be sent later, but always before the deadline.

  5. Which GRE test do I take?
    Tinbergen Institute requires the general GRE test.

  6. Can I be exempted from the GRE test?
    No.

  7. Is GMAT also accepted instead of the GRE test?
    No. TI requires the GRE test results from all applicants, without exceptions. No other tests are accepted.

  8. I requested ETS to send the official score form to another department at the University of Amsterdam, VU Universiteit or Erasmus Universiteit. Will this do for Tinbergen Institute?
    No. Please contact ETS in order to send your GRE scores directly to Tinbergen Institute. TI‘s institutional code is 3811.

  9. Does it matter whether I take the TOEFL or IELTS test?
    Both language tests are accepted by TI. For the Nuffic certificate an IELTS or TOEFL iBT score is required.

  10. Can I be exempted from the TOEFL or IELTS test?
    Yes, you can by:
    1. holding a degree from an institution at which English is the language of instruction, or
    2. holding a degree from a Dutch university.
    An IELTS or TOEFL iBT score report is always required for the Nuffic certificate.

  11. When can I expect a decision on my application?
    Decisions will be communicated to applicants one month after the application deadline.

  12. What formalities can I expect after having been accepted for the MPhil in Economics?
    1. Registration with the university (EUR, UvA or VU) (TI will assist non-Dutch students)
    2. If applicable: application for a visa (your host university will assist in doing this)
    3. Finding housing in Amsterdam or Rotterdam (the host university will assist non-Dutch students)


  13. Is it possible to apply to the institute for direct admission to a 3-year PhD research position?
    No, this is not possible. All prospective students who wish to pursue a PhD at the institute, should start with the MPhil program.

  14. I followed (parts of) a master program elsewhere. Can I skip the first, core year of the MPhil program?
    No, you can‘t. MPhil courses are at an advanced, PhD level, and are challenging even to students who already hold advanced master degrees.

  15. There is overlap in TI's program with my earlier coursework. Can I get exemptions?
    TI facilitates students who believe there is overlap with earlier coursework in two ways:
    1. Admitted students who have successfully completed PhD coursework at other institutions can earn exemptions for the 20 ECTS core sequences in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Mathematics/Econometrics, and Mathematics/Advanced Econometrics by passing the institute‘s Qualifying Exams in these sequences in the Summer prior to enrolment. Students interested in this option should notify the institute when applying.
    2. Alternatively, in the case of true overlap between individual MPhil courses and earlier coursework, exemptions from class attendance and homework assignments, but not from final exams, may be granted. This will be determined in an intake interview with the Director of Graduate Studies at the start of the academic year.


  16. I intend to apply for external funding and need help from Tinbergen Institute. How to proceed?
    Contact applications@tinbergen.nl and explain your case. TI will provide the necessary documents.

  17. How do I complete my application package?
    Apart from the online application form, TI requires the following paper documents to be sent by mail:
    1. Two letters of recommendation (in sealed and signed envelopes if sent directly by the applicant).
    2. Official GRE score report (code Tinbergen Institute for GRE: 3811). The test organization has to send the test results directly to Tinbergen Institute.
    3. TOEFL or IELTS test results if applicable (code Tinbergen Institute for TOEFL: 3811). Please note that IETLS of TOEFL iBT scores are required for the Nuffic certificate.
    4. Curriculum vitae.
    5. Certified transcripts of coursework or copies of diplomas of bachelor and master programs. Certified English translations should be submitted of transcripts and diplomas that are not in Dutch or English.
    6. Statement of Academic Interests and Purpose of Study. (Printed version of the statement in the application form.)
    7. A copy of passport (containing name, number, period of validity).
    As part of the immigration procedures after admission, Chinese students need a Nuffic certificate.
    These documents should be sent to:
    Admission Board
    Tinbergen Institute
    Burg. Oudlaan 50
    3062 PA Rotterdam
    The Netherlands

  18. Can I pursue a PhD in Finance if I have taken the MPhil in Economics?
    It is possible to enroll in the MPhil in Economics, to subsequently take finance as a major or minor field, and to continue with a PhD project in finance. This may be a good approach to some finance research projects, and it keeps open the option to pursue a PhD in other fields of economics and econometrics. However, the MPhil in Finance has been designed by the institute's finance professors as an optimal preparation for a PhD in Finance and will typically be the best choice for students who would like to pursue a PhD in Finance.

  19. Can I pursue a PhD in Economics if I have taken the MPhil in Finance?
    Students who wish to pursue a PhD in other fields of economics or econometrics should apply to the MPhil in Economics program. The MPhil in Finance is not designed to prepare students for a PhD in other fields. Moreover, the PhD employment positions dedicated to MPhil in Finance graduates are funded by the Duisenberg School of Finance and should typically be in finance.

  20. What are the admission requirements and application procedures for the MPhil in Finance program?
    Admission requirements and procedures for the MPhil in Finance are identical to those for the MPhil in Economics. Applicants should indicate on the application form whether they apply for the MPhil in Economics or the MPhil in Finance.

  21. Can I apply to both the MPhil in Economics and MPhil in Finance programs simultaneously? Should I?
    You can indicate on the application form that you are interested in both MPhil programs, but you can only be admitted to, and enroll in, one program.