PhD / Doctorate •

Degree

Dr phil in History or Sociology

Teaching language

• German
• English

Languages

Up to 30% of the courses are held in English, approximately 70% are taught in German.

Programme duration

9 semesters or more

Beginning

Winter and summer semester

Application deadline

15 June for the winter semester
15 January for the summer semester

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master's degree / PhD programme

No

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

The Bielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology (BGHS) offers doctoral researchers an innovative research environment that fosters creativity through interdisciplinary exchange. The main characteristic of the graduate school is the integration of research from a variety of fields (sociology, history, political science, anthropology, and gender studies) into a joint organisational framework and a joint curriculum.
Because innovative science emerges from and thrives in a creative atmosphere, the BGHS promotes small working groups with individualised guidance and supports the formation of a diverse and lively community among its doctoral researchers. Young researchers are also supported in their efforts to combine family life and an academic career.

Diverse disciplines under one roof
Under the umbrella of the graduate school, international doctoral programmes in sociology and history are offered. However, we accept not only historians and sociologists, but explicitly welcome doctoral researchers from other fields whose research contains a promising sociological and/or historical focus. The graduate school is founded on the bottom-up principle and places great value on the independent initiative of its doctoral researchers.

Career development and employment prospects
One of the explicit aims at the BGHS is to prepare our doctoral researchers for the academic or non-academic labour market in Germany and abroad. The graduate school collaborates with foreign researchers, promotes the participation of our doctoral researchers in international conferences, and helps build key skills so that our doctoral researchers can position themselves well in the international scientific community. As preparation for work in a non-academic context, the graduate school provides career service and programmes to enhance key qualifications.

Interdisciplinarity and internationality
The graduate school promotes intellectual and interdisciplinary exchange across national borders.

Course organisation

Doctoral researchers are encouraged to put together their own course of study geared towards their individual interests and needs.
Courses in the doctoral programme are taught in both German and English. Seminars, research classes and colloquia are taught by members of the Departments of History, Sociology, Political Science and Social Anthropology. This should aid doctoral researchers in reflecting on the historical conditionality and the constructivist character of theories and the interdependence of theoretical and practical research. Research classes give doctoral researchers the opportunity to work on problems of their research projects in cooperation with other doctoral researchers as well as with supervisors over an extended period of time. The research classes are based upon the cooperative work of the group and the principle of peer learning. In addition, both faculties offer numerous colloquia that cover key areas of research in their respective disciplines. The research training programme is topped off by a variety of courses aimed at improving key skills and providing career guidance.
Alongside thematic seminars and workshops, the graduate school also offers study groups as an exceptional form of studying. Study groups are organised and led by doctoral researchers. As the groups are small, they promote intensive dialogue, close working relationships and the exchange of expertise.
As members of the BGHS, all doctoral researchers are required to provide their supervisors and the graduate school with an annual progress report on their doctoral project. The introduction of reporting duties helps all parties to engage in critical reflection on the doctoral researchers' progress. This strengthens the supervisory relationship and supports goal-oriented study. At the same time, problems that might hinder the successful completion of the doctoral programme can be recognised early on and rectified.

International elements

• Language training provided

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

No

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

No

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

Approx. 400 EUR per semester

Funding opportunities within the university

No

Academic admission requirements

To join the Bielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology, you must be accepted into the doctoral programme either in history or in sociology. Decisions on admission are made in the doctoral degree committees of the respective faculties. Applications are to be made online through the BGHS website.
Applicants should have an above-average degree in social sciences or the humanities, preferably in history, sociology, anthropology, or political science. Applications from graduates of other related fields are welcome.

Language requirements

The BGHS doctoral programme consists of courses in both German and English. Applicants to the graduate school must therefore have a good command of either German or English. Doctoral researchers with no knowledge of German are encouraged to learn the language as it is the primary means of communication at Bielefeld University, and fluency in German makes daily life easier.

Application deadline

15 June for the winter semester
15 January for the summer semester

Submit application to

https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/einrichtungen/bghs/bewerbung-beratung/bewerbung/#

Possibility of finding part-time employment

Basically, international students are allowed to work parallel to their studies for 120 full days or 240 half days per year without a work permit once they have successfully completed preparations for their studies and started a course.
A limited number of jobs are available at the university; however, jobs for students can also be found in companies in and around Bielefeld.

Accommodation

In Bielefeld, a broad range of accommodation options can be found at affordable prices. Halls of residence are run by the public "Studierendenwerk" or private organisations.
Additionally, single apartments and rooms in shared flats with other students are available. The rent for a room in Bielefeld amounts to about 180 to 300 EUR per month. The International Office supports students who are searching for accommodation.

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Welcome event
• Visa matters
• Support with registration procedures

General services and support for international students and doctoral candidates

The Welcome Centre at Bielefeld University supports international researchers and guests in all matters.

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