• Excellent university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a degree programme relevant to the PhD.

• A compelling dissertation project, which can be supervised at the Department of History and Cultural Studies by a suitable first supervisor.

• Interest in the exchange between the specific subjects and different methodological approaches within Cultural Studies; willingness for interdisciplinary academic discussion within the framework of the structured doctoral studies program.

Very good knowledge of German and English are expected. Knowledge at the level C1 CEFR for one of the two languages is necessary, the other at the level of B2 CEFR. Native speakers only need to prove their proficiency in the non-native language(s) with a recognized certificate. Please note the language requirements in the respective subject in which you would like to do your doctorate. Further information can be found in the rules and regulations governing foreign language skills. (fu-berlin.de)

Proof of language levels can be submitted later, if necessary; please upload a statement in your application with details of existing and outstanding certificates or diplomas and the date on which they can be submitted. In case you are invited, the day of the interview is the latest day possible to hand in your results.

Language certificates for German C1 CEFR for example:

• DSH 2 German language test for university entrance

• TestDaF (TDN 4 in all four components of testing)

• Goethe certificate C1 or C2 (Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom) from the Goethe-Institute

• TELC German C1 - Hochschule

• University entrance diploma that is equivalent to the German counterpart

Language certificates for German B2 CEFR for example:

• TestDaF (TDN3 in all four components of testing)

• Goethe- Zertifikat B2

• TELC German B2 - Hochschule

Language certificates for English C1 CEFR for example:

• IELTS 6.5

• Cambridge Examinations: First Certificate (FCE), Advanced (CAE), Proficiency (CPE) overall score of 170

• TOEFL: paper 585, Computer 240 or Online 95

• TELC English C1 - University

• Successful completion of an English-language course at an English-speaking university

Language certificates for English B2 CEFR for example:

• IELTS 5.5

• Cambridge Examinations: First Certificate (FCE); Advances (CAE); Proficiency (CPE)

• TOEFL: Paper 500, Computer 170, or Internet 80

• TELC English B2 -University

• Seven years school English at German schools

• Statement of motivation (max. 2 DIN-A4 pages, Font Times New Roman 12, 1.5 line spacing)

• Dissertation proposal (max. 10 DIN-A4 pages, Font Times New Roman 12, 1.5 line spacing)

• Project timeline for 3 years

• Curriculum Vitae (max. 4 DIN-A4 pages)

• One recommendation letter from a university professor/lecturer

• A work sample (e.g. from the Master’s thesis no longer than 25 DIN-A4 pages)

• Copies of certificates: university entrance qualification; university degrees

• Language certificates for German and or English (one language at least at level C1, the other at least at level B2), unless these languages are your native languages.

• Depending on your chosen subject, further language certificates may be necessary (please find out in advance whether you fulfil the foreign language requirements in your chosen subject as per the rules and regulations governing foreign language skills/Fremdsprachenordnung (fu-berlin.de))

You will not receive response in case your application cannot be considered for formal reasons. All formally approved applications will go through an internal review process.The selection committee votes to select applicants who will be invited to the selection interviews in February. During the interviews, each applicant has 5–10 minutes to give a verbal presentation on their project, followed by a 10–15 minute discussion. Shortly after the selection interviews you will receive an acceptance or rejection.

Applications for the doctoral studies program HCS can only be submitted via the online portal of the Dahlem Research School. Please do not send application documents by e-mail or by post.

Your application is submitted only after you have clicked the "save and submit" button. You will then receive a confirmation email. Only the confirmation of receipt sent by email indicates that you have successfully submitted the application.

• First of all, please register at the online portal of Dahlem Research School. 
• Please fill out the personal information page first.
• Select a subject from the listed history and cultural studies subjects in which you wish to pursue a doctoral degree.
• Please choose your first supervisors, all professors of the Department of History and Cultural Studies are involved in the doctoral program. Please select your first supervisor in the subject of your doctorate in advance of your application and ideally also contact them already. You don’t need confirmation from the supervisor at this point, but it can be helpful to initiate contact with him or her in advance.

• Please note that you require one letter of recommendation from an academic scholar and must contact your referee before applying.

  After you submit your application through the online portal, the online system will send an automated email to your designated referee with instructions for uploading the letter of recommendation. The letter must be uploaded by 22 November 2024. The deadline for delayed submission of reference letters is 25 November 2024.

• Please note that the following application documents (statement of motivation, dissertation proposal, project timeline, CV and work samples) must be uploaded as PDF.

• Please upload proof of a university degree in a subject relevant to the doctorate. If the university degree certificate is not yet available at the time of application, you may still apply,
  however, the expected date of graduation must be before July 1 of the year of admission. Applicants are also requested to upload significant documents on the progress and timely expected completion of their studies in place of the transcript (e.g. transcripts, statement of supervisors).

• Please upload the language certificates, these can be submitted later if necessary, upload a statement in your application with details of existing and outstanding credentials or certificates and when they can be submitted. Sufficient basic knowledge, however, is required.