PhD / Doctorate •

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Heritage Studies

Teaching language

• English

Languages

All courses are held in English. The dissertation is written in English, and the oral defence takes place in English.

Full-time / part-time

• full-time

Programme duration

6 semesters

Beginning

Winter and summer semester

Additional information on beginning, duration and mode of study

Start winter semester: 1 October
Start summer semester: 1 April

Application deadline

Applications are welcome throughout the year. For a start in the summer semester (1 April), submission of the complete application online is recommended no later than 1 November; for a start in the winter semester (1 October), submission is recommended no later than 1 May.

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master's degree / PhD programme

No

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

The Heritage Studies PhD programme offers an interdisciplinary and structured doctoral programme within the broad field of humanities. It is open to both national and international PhD candidates. The focus areas cover a variety of facets of heritage.

The programme aims to foster qualitative and quantitative as well as international and interdisciplinary research on the preservation and utilisation of human heritage. The programme focuses on theory- and practice-oriented research activities related to cultural heritage and the relationship between cultural heritage and the transformation processes caused by globalisation. Dissertation topics should focus on one of the programme's priority areas.

The main objective of the PhD programme is to complete and defend a dissertation within a proposed period of three years. During the full-time programme, students work on an innovative research topic, develop and apply appropriate methods and participate in study-related courses. The PhD programme provides a framework for working on the dissertation, offering guidance to both national and international PhD students with their institutionally and culturally diverse learning experiences.

Course organisation

During the three-year programme, PhD students will be able to write their doctoral theses and complete a mandatory curriculum. The curriculum consists of five modules (30 ECTS) that focus on fostering research skills as well as the transferable skills needed to build a professional career in academia. Every module as well as the doctoral thesis (120 ECTS) and the oral examination (30 ECTS) will be graded individually.

All lectures and seminars are a mandatory part of the programme. Therefore, it is necessary for the PhD students to be present at the university during the lecture periods (April to July and October to February).

The language of instruction, research and examination is English.

The five modules (6 ECTS each) focus on fostering your research skills as well as transferable skills needed to build your professional career:

• Academic Research and Methods
• Status Seminar Heritage Studies: Progress Reports PhD Thesis
• Research Colloquium at your Chair/Department
• Essentials of Grant Proposal Writing
• PhD Thesis Writing Skills

For the full curriculum, semester schedule, and module description, please visit our website .

The BTU Graduate Research School offers additional workshops for all doctoral candidates at BTU on networking, subject-related qualification, scientific techniques, and transferable skills training.

A Diploma supplement will be issued

Yes

International elements

• International guest lecturers
• Integrated study abroad unit(s)
• Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
• International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
• Content-related regional focus

Integrated study abroad unit(s)

Stays abroad for research and further qualification (e.g. conferences, field research) are possible and encouraged. Funding is possible through the BTU Graduate Research School.

Teaching/work obligations or opportunities

Teaching and research assistantships are possible.

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

No

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

No

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

Apart from a few degree programmes, education offered at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is without tuition fees. However, the university does charge a semester fee of around 350 EUR each semester, which includes the semester transportation ticket. It also covers costs for the student services organisation ("Studentenwerk") and the student council (StuRa).

Costs of living

Studies abroad often have different types of expenses from the ones you know from your home country. You are responsible for covering your own living expenses. Accommodation and other essential living expenses will amount to around 600–900 EUR/month. Of course, this amount depends entirely on individual lifestyle. The following list gives you an idea of some fixed and variable costs that you should take into account for your stay in Germany. Monthly costs:
rent (including utilities): 200–400 EUR
public transportation: 49 EUR
groceries: approx. 170 EUR
health insurance, medical fees, medication: approx. 120 EUR
miscellaneous (clothing, study materials, other activities): 200–300 EUR
total: 700–950 EUR

The so-called "Deutschlandticket" allows you to travel using all local public means of transportation throughout Germany.

Funding opportunities within the university

Yes

Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

Studying at BTU is mostly free of (study) fees. Because of this, there are only limited scholarship opportunities for international students. The International Relations Office is nonetheless pleased to be able to award a limited number of scholarships to international students already enrolled at BTU. You can find more information on BTU scholarship opportunities on our websites: https://www.b-tu.de/en/international/international-students/during-studies/scholarships

Academic admission requirements

MSc (or equivalent) in Heritage Studies, Architecture, Building and Conservation, Urban/Regional Planning, or a related field in Social Sciences, Law and Political Science

Eligible candidates should have achieved a final grade of at least 2.3 (according to the German grading system) and should have completed a Master's thesis.

The application includes a comprehensive PhD proposal. While you have the autonomy to choose the research topic for your PhD research proposal , it is essential to ensure that the research proposal topic aligns with the research focus of the PhD programme.

Language requirements

A certificate of proficiency in English must be provided except for graduates of English language Master's programmes in Germany and these countries .

Accepted tests and minimum scores include:

• TOEFL with a minimum score of 550 points (paper-based), 213 points (computer-based), or 79 points (Internet-based)
• Cambridge Advanced English test (minimum grade B)
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency (minimum grade C)
• IELTS Academic (minimum 6.5)

Application deadline

Applications are welcome throughout the year. For a start in the summer semester (1 April), submission of the complete application online is recommended no later than 1 November; for a start in the winter semester (1 October), submission is recommended no later than 1 May.

Submit application to

For submission of your application, kindly visit our website .

Possibility of finding part-time employment

There are job opportunities both in town and on campus. Nevertheless, please do not come to Germany expecting to be able to finance your entire studies by working. The study load is high, and it is not always easy to find a part-time job. Students from non-European countries are allowed to work either 120 whole days or 240 half days annually. The 120-day rule is not affected by mandatory internships or student assistance jobs at university. Students from EU member countries, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland can work without restrictions during their studies in Germany.

Accommodation

BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is a university with three locations where numerous student dormitories are provided. Students can choose between different room types.

In Germany, it is also very common for students to live alone or with friends. If three or more people share an apartment together, this is called a "WG" in German ("Wohngemeinschaft", which means a shared flat).

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Career advisory service

The BTU Career Centre team offers support for students and graduates.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Welcome event
• Buddy programme
• Accompanying programme
• Specialist counselling
• Visa matters

General services and support for international students and doctoral candidates

PhD programme coordinator (regular consultations, scholarship application support, Get2gethers), PhD Peer Coaching Programme, Welcome Centre for International Researchers, Graduate Research School (qualification programme, funding opportunities)

Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg
The BTU welcomes you to start your academic journey! © BTU

Located on three campuses and with about 60 study programmes , BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg offers a broad spectrum of market-oriented programmes as well as traditional degree programmes.

From the natural sciences and engineering to economics, cultural studies, and even health sciences, BTU offers a wide range of courses. Our 13 study programmes taught exclusively in English are very popular among both German and international students from all over the world.

BTU is partnered with over 220 universities throughout the world, which provides students with a multitude of excellent opportunities to spend part of their time studying or conducting research abroad . Furthermore, in cooperation with our international partner universities , BTU offers a wide range of double-degree and joint-degree programmes .

37% International students study at BTU
123 Nationalities
University location

Cottbus is located in the north-east of Germany, between the country’s capital, Berlin (100 km), and Dresden (120 km). With a population of approx. 100,000 inhabitants, Cottbus is the second largest city after Potsdam in the federal state of Brandenburg. The Polish border is only approx. 30 km away. The location of Cottbus offers a convenient starting point for trips into the picturesque region of Lower Lusatia. The landscape of Lower Lusatia is characterised by the Spreewald with its small canals and waterways as well as by the Slavonic minority called Sorbs or Wends. Their language, similar to Polish, is still used and spoken in Lower Lusatia. For this reason, many of the road signs and informational boards in Cottbus and the surrounding region are written in both Sorbian and German. Cottbus gained importance as a trade centre in the 12th century. Parts of the original city wall from the 14th century as well as the beautiful townhouses around the old market square are proof of the city’s early splendour. Additionally, the city is characterised by buildings from the "Wilhelminian" times of rapid industrial growth in Germany, which occurred towards the end of the 19th century. The city that first rose to prominence with its cloth and linen weaving industry soon evolved into a growing centre of brown coal mining. Today, Cottbus is in the midst of a structural transformation. The BTU supports this development with its engagement in the Lausitz Science Park megaproject, which aims to build an appealing innovation landscape.

Senftenberg is the centre of the Lusatia Lake District. Former excavation and mining pits have been flooded in order to create the largest artificial lake system in Europe, with a total of 23 large lakes. The water sports area "Senftenberger See", with its water surface of 1,300 hectares, offers exceptional sailing and surfing opportunities, and it is suitable for all kinds of water sports. Senftenberg has thus become a tourist attraction within the region.

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