PhD

Graduate School for Global and Transregional Studies

Freie Universität Berlin

Berlin, Germany

Program Overview

The Berlin Graduate School for Global and Transregional Studies (BGTS) is the full-time doctoral programme of the Cluster of Excellence "Contestations of the Liberal Script"...

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EUR

Financials

Tuition FeesNone
Living Expenses
Note: Most public universities in Germany are tuition-free. You only pay a semester contribution (~EUR 300) which usually includes a public transport ticket.
INFO

Intakes and Duration

Intake Season

Winter (October)

Duration

6 semesters

CO

Career Outcomes

Postdoctoral ResearcherUniversity LecturerResearch ScientistIndustry R&D Specialist

You can always explore various career paths after completing this program. The listed options are some of the most popular among graduates.

EUR

Salary Outlook

Typical range

The stated annual salary (e.g., TV-L E13: €50,000–€65,000 for 100%) refers to a full-time position. In practice, many universities and public research institutes (such as Leibniz institutes) offer part-time contracts, commonly 50%, 65%, or 75%, and only occasionally 100%. The actual salary is therefore proportional to the contract percentage. Applicants are strongly advised to clarify the employment percentage before accepting an offer.

Fresher, mid-level, and experienced ranges are linked to external sources so they stay auditable for applicants.

LANG

Language & Exams

Teaching Language

English

The expected level of English proficiency is C1 (or better) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which translates into other tests as follows (scores indicated are minimums): IELTS: 8.0 TOEFL PBT: 603/677 TOEFL CBT: 263/300 TOEFL iBT: 110/120 TOEIC: 785 If you are not a native English speaker or if the language of instruction at your previous university was not English, we will ask you to provide evidence of strong English language skills. Please include English language test results in your application if this applies to you. English language tests should not be more than two years old at the time of your application to the BGTS and should be uploaded in your online application form as a PDF or JPEG document. The PhD programme at the BGTS does not require German language skills. However, we recommend that you study German during your time with us. This will help you in your daily life in Berlin, including communicating with others at the university. German language courses for international doctoral candidates are offered by the Dahlem Research School at Freie Universität Berlin.

IELTS required (IELTS 8.0 overall)Language certification required
REQ

Requirements

Academic Admission

Anyone who has completed a Master’s degree in social sciences, area studies and history as well as economics and law (usually comprising a total of 300 European Credit Transfer System [ECTS] credits including the Bachelor’s degree) is eligible to apply. The term “social sciences” refers to political science and sociology. The programme is open to applicants of all nationalities and shows no preference to EU citizens. Your final grade point average should be at least 2.4 (according to the German grade system), in other words, “good”. In ECTS terms this corresponds to a “B” average, starting at 79%. As grading systems vary from country to country, grade point average is only one factor among many upon which selection is based. If you haven’t completed your Master’s degree programme at the time of application, you may still apply, but you must provide official documentation (e.g. academic transcript and official diploma) of your successful completion of a Master’s degree before enrolling in the PhD programme. If your official diploma is not ready at the time of your application, you are required to send some proof of your academic performance (e.g. a current transcript) instead. After this, please send us a letter from your university as soon as you have completed your Master’s degree, confirming the completion of your studies. This letter will allow you to provisionally enrol at BGTS while awaiting your official degree diploma.

APS Certificate

Not required for PhD/doctoral programmes.

IELTS Score

IELTS 8.0 overall

Application Deadline

Application deadlines are subject to changes. Please refer to the above university course link for the most accurate information.

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