The internationally oriented doctoral program in History and Cultural Studies (HCS) is calling for applications. The program is based in the Department of History and Cultural Studies and is a member of the Dahlem Research School.

Up to 10 places are available for the doctoral program in History and Cultural Studies (HCS) at the Department of History and Cultural Studies at Freie Universität Berlin.

Application deadline: November 15, 2025

(Start of program: October 2026)

Target group: The program offers graduates with excellent academic records a research-oriented program in cultural studies with disciplinary and interdisciplinary components for a doctorate in one of the doctoral subjects represented in the Department of History and Cultural Studies. The doctoral program is designed to last three years. The languages of instruction are English and German.

Profile: HCS focuses on both the tradition of cultural studies developed in Germany and the Anglo-American tradition of cultural studies developed around (socio-)political issues. Based on these two discourses, it offers students the opportunity to view their own research from a cultural studies perspective and to discuss it on a regular basis. The doctoral program combines these approaches in a shared interest in combining cultural studies orientation with subject-specific knowledge and skills and in developing interdisciplinary working practices. Participation in HCS requires both profound subject knowledge and a keen interest in theoretical and methodological issues at an interdisciplinary level.

Application: Applications for the doctoral program must be submitted exclusively via the Dahlem Research School online portal (open from September 15, 2025). Applications for the 2026/2027 winter semester are open until November 15, 2025. Further information on the doctoral program and the application process can be found on our website www.geschkult.fu-berlin.de/hcs 

If you have any questions about the call for applications or the application process, please contact Franziska Lesak, program coordinator (HCS): franziska.lesak@fu-berlin.de, tel.: +49 (0) 30 838-56667.