You are interested in professional discussions and interdisciplinary networking, are motivated to complete your doctorate within three years in a structured programme and to discuss your project regularly in larger groups. And - finally - you have a particular interest in exploring cultural studies topics and theories. The cooperation with other doctoral students of the HCS as well as the intensive supervision by the university lecturers will support you in developing your own doctoral project in a critical exchange and in bringing it to a successful conclusion.

You can find all information regarding the application process, requirements and needed documents under application.

You can find all information regarding the application process, requirements and needed documents under application.

Candidates may apply even if they have not yet received their master’s degree at the time of the application deadline – however, you are expected to graduate before July 1st. Applicants are also encouraged to upload conclusive documents in lieu of their degree demonstrating their progress and showing they will receive their degree in time (e.g., transcripts, statement of their advisors).

Annually, up to ten study places are offered.

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.

Dissertations can be written in German or English if the relevant doctoral regulations permit. The dissertation can also be written in another academic language upon request if supervision is guaranteed. Further information can be obtained from the doctoral office (Promotionsbüro) of the Department of History and Cultural Studies.

Where successful applicants do not bring their own funding, they will be supported by us in applying for scholarships: contact.

For further information on funding opportunities, please visit the website of the Dahlem Research School. 

For the doctoral studies program, the Freie Universität Berlin does not charge tuition fees; doctoral fellows are merely responsible for paying certain fees and charges each semester. For more information, please visit the website (Fees & Funding • Education • Freie Universität Berlin (fu-berlin.de)).

Yes, the doctoral program HCS offers visiting doctoral candidates a place for research and interdisciplinary exchange. You have the opportunity to spend a period of up to two semesters as a visiting student. Please send us the following application documents:

• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of motivation (with exact details of the period of stay)
• Abstract of the dissertation

Visiting doctoral candidates are provided with a workplace.

Visiting doctoral candidates take part in the courses. They present their doctoral projects in the HCS research colloquia.

If you are interested, please send us an e-mail to: hcs@geschkult.fu-berlin.de 

In Germany, it is mandatory to publish the dissertation within two years of completing the doctoral procedure. An extension is possible by submitting a request to the doctoral board. The doctoral certificate and the associated title can only be issued after the compulsery amount of copies has been submitted to the Dissertations Departement (Hochschulschriftenstelle) of Freie Universität Berlin.

You can find out about the exact procedure on the FAQ page for doctoral studies in the Department of History and Cultural Studies under the sections “Provisional Certificate” to “Doctoral Certificate”.