ENGLISH SKILLS
Reminder: For the English language competences you need to provide English test results or other proof of English skills (example: certificate indicating that the bachelor or master diploma were in English; or living more than 3 months in an English speaking country).
English test information : TOEFL PbT (min 550), or TOEFL (ibT min 79) or IELTS (min 6.5) or TOEIC (min 685) or proof of CEFR level B2 in English (http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/resources/european-language-levels-cefr)
Q: English was the sole medium of instruction for both my B.S. and M.S. degrees. I also have an official certificate from my institute confirming this. Would this be sufficient as proof of my English proficiency, or would I still need to take one of the listed tests?
A: The situation and the certificate described are enough proof of English skills. There is no need of the test results.
Q: I would like to know if I could submit a video as proof of my english skills.
A: Personal videos are not accepted to proof english skills. Please check the reminder (above) for the accepted documents to proof English skills.
Q: Since my current English proficiency certificate has expired, I am scheduled to retake the test later this month. Would it be possible to submit my application in advance and provide the updated IELTS results once they become available?
A: You can submit your application with the expired certificate and provide the IELTS results afterwards.
SALARY
Q: What will be the salary for PhD Fellows?
A: It depends. This is very hard to answer because it is country-dependant, and depends on national taxes and contributions which vary from year to year. It also depends on the Fellow's family status. The EU funding includes a Living Allowance which is multiplied with a 'country-coefficient', a fixed Mobility Allowance (for private travel), and if applicable a Family Allowance.
Note that the EU funding for salaries includes all taxes and social contributions from BOTH employee and employer, meaning that the gross salary is lower, and the net salary is much lower than the funding amounts (but for most countries still higher than 'local' PhD salaries). With this in mind, you can find the precise funding amounts in this document (pages 81 and 112).
Finally, be warned that most information available on other websites regarding Marie Curie salaries is outdated. SusMatEner is funded via the call "MSCA-2023-DN".
OTHERS
Q: My referees prefer to send the reference letters on their own and I do not have access to these letters. So, in this situation what should I do?
A: You can contact us through the Helpdesk and we will provide you with an email address. You can pass on this address to send us the letters directly.
Q: Do we need to make separate motivational letters for each Ph.D. project we are choosing?
A: No. One motivational letter is enough, you should explain your interest in the three projects in your letter.
Q: What is meant with "international co-supervision"?
A: Each PhD candidate will have two supervisors, will be enrolled in two universities, and receive two diploma (or sometimes a Joint PhD diploma). The supervisors are noted in the PhD project descriptions. However only one university will be employer over the entire PhD. There will be only one joint PhD defense.
Q: Does the 'mobility rule' apply to both countries of the two supervisors ?
A: No. It only applies to the one employing university which is clearly marked for each PhD.
