PhD / Doctorate •

Degree

Dr phil

Teaching language

• German
• English

Languages

Courses are held in German and English. Students may write their doctoral dissertation in either language.

Programme duration

6 semesters

Beginning

Winter and summer semester

Additional information on beginning, duration and mode of study

Start dates:

• winter semester: 1 October
• summer semester: 1 April

Please refer to our academic calendar for further information.

Application deadline

• Applications for the following winter semester: 31 May (DAAD scholarships: 30 November of the previous year)
• Applications for the following summer semester: 30 November

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master's degree / PhD programme

No

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

The Graduate School Practices of Literature (GSPoL) promotes a new understanding of literary/cultural studies as a discipline that is shaped by current developments in the philosophy of science and critical "turns" in the humanities and social sciences. These perspectives in literary/cultural studies involve a redefinition of its social and cultural impact and significance. Accordingly, the GSPoL pays close attention to the relationship between literature, culture, and the public sphere. It aims to develop strategies to enhance the interaction between literature, literary/cultural studies, and society to their mutual benefit.

In view of these considerations, priority is given to three interconnected research areas:

Literature, Culture, and Society

Theories of Literature and Culture

Literary/Cultural Studies and the Professional World

Course organisation

The curriculum, which is usually completed in three semesters, includes the following components:

• Lecture Series/Workshops (9 ECTS credits): These courses are closely related to the main research areas of the graduate school. They focus on the social and political function, or cultural work, of literary/cultural practices, recent theoretical developments in literary/cultural studies, and the role of literary/cultural studies in various professional contexts. Lecture series and workshops are taught by professors from the GSPoL as well as guest lecturers and visiting scholars from Germany and abroad.
• Colloquia (9 ECTS credits): The colloquium is a forum where students present their work in progress (project outlines, book chapters, conference papers, etc.) and receive feedback from their peers and faculty.
• Project Teams (9 ECTS credits): Project teams are reading groups in which students with similar projects and research interests discuss theoretical texts and concepts.

In addition, this PhD programme includes:

• Elective Options (18 ECTS credits): Elective options are meant to give students the opportunity to improve their professional skills and to gain practical experience in academic and non-academic contexts. Options include internships, academic teaching, publications, conference papers, practical and professional skills courses, committee work, and foreign language courses.

In total, this doctoral degree is worth 180 ECTS credits:

• doctoral dissertation (120 ECTS credits)
• PhD defence (15 ECTS credits)
• lectures/workshops, colloquia, and project teams (27 ECTS credits)
• elective options (18 ECTS credits)

A Diploma supplement will be issued

No

International elements

• International guest lecturers
• Integrated study abroad unit(s)
• Specialist literature in other languages
• International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
• Content-related regional focus
• Language training provided

Integrated study abroad unit(s)

Doctoral students are encouraged to study abroad, to familiarise themselves with other academic cultures, and to discuss their project with international experts. Depending on the focus of their research, students may choose one of the graduate school's or WWU's partner institutions or come to an agreement with other universities in consultation with their panel of advisers.

Integrated internships

Students are encouraged to do internships that enable them to apply their academic knowledge and critical thinking skills in various work environments.

Teaching/work obligations or opportunities

Students may apply for a teaching position.

Special promotion / funding of the programme

• DAAD

Name of DAAD funding programme

Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP)

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

Yes

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

Yes

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

Students must pay a semester contribution fee of 316.98 EUR per semester. This includes a "semester ticket" covering public transportation in the greater Münster area as well as the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

You can find more information here:
https://www.uni-muenster.de/studieninteressierte/en/einschreibung/semesterbeitrag.shtml

Costs of living

We recommend that students budget at least 900 EUR per month to cover personal expenses (accommodation, living expenses, health insurance).

Funding opportunities within the university

Yes

Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

The GSPoL offers two three-year DAAD scholarships for international PhD researchers starting in October 2024 (application deadline: 30 November 2023). Please refer to our website for further information.

In addition, the Rectorate , the WWU Graduate Centre , and the Equal Opportunities Office offer funding for PhD students and postdocs, often in collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and other public or private funding institutions.

Academic admission requirements

Admission is contingent on previous academic performance (usually a Master's degree in literary studies with an above-average GPA), the quality of the research proposal, and foreign language skills. Application documents include a degree certificate, proof of language skills, a curriculum vitae, an abstract and project proposal, a letter of motivation, and two letters of recommendation (applicants with a Bachelor’s degree are required to submit three reference letters). The applicant's academic potential and language skills are further assessed in an interview with the admissions committee.

Please refer to our website for further information on the application process.

Language requirements

Applicants should be able to understand written and spoken German and English and to actively speak at least one of these languages. Accordingly, German and English language skills are required (level C1 in one language and level B1 in the other language at the time of admission; by the end of the programme, students must have moved from B1 to B2). Further subject-specific language skills may be acquired during the PhD programme. Please consult our website or contact the GSPoL coordinator for further information.

Application deadline

• Applications for the following winter semester: 31 May (DAAD scholarships: 30 November of the previous year)
• Applications for the following summer semester: 30 November

Submit application to

Graduate School Practices of Literature
c/o Germanistisches Institut
Schlossplatz 34
48143 Münster
Germany

Please e-mail all required documents as a single PDF file to [email protected] .

Accommodation

As in all popular university cities in Germany, accommodation is in high demand and is not easy to find in Münster – but it’s not impossible either!

Please contact the International Office (Bachelor's and Master's students) or the WWU Graduate Centre (doctoral candidates) for advice. Please also note that the University of Münster (like most German public universities) does not have its own student halls of residence.

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Career advisory service

The WWU Graduate Centre and the Career Service at the University of Münster offer career counselling as well as professional and transferable skills training.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Buddy programme
• Specialist counselling
• Cultural and linguistic preparation
• Visa matters

General services and support for international students and doctoral candidates

The Graduate School Practices of Literature is a member of the smartNETWORK International , which promotes the internationalisation of doctoral studies in Münster. Further support is provided by the WWU Graduate Centre , which gives advice on visa requirements and housing options and offers a wide range of soft and academic skills courses in German and English. In addition, the Graduate Centre organises social and cultural events for international PhD students at the University of Münster.

University of Münster
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