PhD in Muslim Cultures and Societies
Interdisciplinary PhD programme exploring Islamic texts, practices, and pluralism across global contexts.
Best for:Best for scholars with a master’s degree in humanities, social sciences, or area studies seeking a rigorous, interdisciplinary PhD in Islamic cultures and societies with strong methodological and theoretical training.
Overview
The Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies offers a structured PhD programme based at Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Collaborating with the Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient, this initiative examines Islamic cultures and societies through a multidisciplinary lens, integrating humanities, social sciences, and area studies. Doctoral candidates engage in research on diversity, pluralism, and societal concerns in Muslim and non-Muslim contexts, spanning regions from the Middle East to North America. The programme emphasizes discipline-based multidisciplinarity, interdisciplinary training, and transregional perspectives, supported by a network of principal investigators and structured supervision.
What you'll do
- Develop and conduct original research on Islamic cultures and societies, focusing on themes such as diversity, pluralism, and societal interactions.
- Participate in structured doctoral training, including courses on theory, methods, and interdisciplinary research.
- Present dissertation projects in research seminars and workshops, engaging with peers and principal investigators.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary doctoral committees to create and adjust individual study plans.
- Engage in optional teaching activities, such as co-teaching, under the guidance of supervisors.
- Attend induction week and participate in regular meetings to discuss progress and refine research plans.
- Conduct archival research or fieldwork during the second year of the programme.
- Write and defend a dissertation under the supervision of an interdisciplinary committee.
Requirements
Degree required: Master's degree in one of the disciplines represented at the Graduate School (e.g., Arabic Studies, Islamic Studies, Political Science, Anthropology, or related fields), with above-average academic performance (or equivalent to a German "Magister" or "Diplom" with a grade of "very good")
Degree offered: PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
Language: English; C1 proficiency level (IELTS Academic: 7, TOEFL iBT: 95, or equivalent)
Instruction: English
- Strong theoretical and methodological knowledge in humanities, social sciences, or area studies
- Ability to conduct comparative and interdisciplinary research
- Proficiency in conducting archival research or fieldwork
- Excellent academic writing and presentation skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment
- Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline
- No nationality restrictions; open to applicants from all countries
- No specific age limit mentioned
- No prior experience caps mentioned
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-11-01
Applicants must submit their application through the official portal of the Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies. The application process includes providing academic transcripts, a research proposal, proof of English proficiency (C1 level), and a letter of motivation. Additional documents may include letters of recommendation and a CV. Detailed instructions and the application form are available on the BGSMCS website.
- CV
- Cover letter or letter of motivation
- Research proposal
- Master's degree certificate and transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
- Letters of recommendation (number not specified)
- Official language certificates (if applicable)
Contact
Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies· Admissions Contact
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