PhD candidates of the Graduate School of Social Sciences pay tuition fees according to their PhD type and their source of funding.
The current PhD tuition fee policy is outlined in the document VU-GSSS Tuition fee and other costs to conduct PhD research. As of 1 July 2026, a new fee policy will take effect: VU-GSSS External PhD fees
The cut-off date for receiving complete applications for prospective PhD admissions under the current fee structure is 1 June 2026 (with a start date on or before 1 July 2026). Applications received after that date (or with a start date later than 1 July 2026) will be processed in line with the new fee structure.
The new fee structure only applies to new trajectories.