PhD in Global and Transregional Studies (BGTS)
Full-time English-language doctoral programme exploring liberal orders and their contestations from a global, comparative, and historical perspective.
Best for:Best for outstanding graduates in political science, sociology, history, economics, or law who want to pursue doctoral research on liberal orders, global processes, and transregional interactions within a structured, interdisciplinary English-language programme.
Overview
The Berlin Graduate School for Global and Transregional Studies (BGTS) is the full-time doctoral programme of the Cluster of Excellence 'Contestations of the Liberal Script' (SCRIPTS) at Freie Universität Berlin, run in cooperation with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, WZB Berlin Social Science Center, Hertie School, DIW, GIGA, ZMO, and ZOiS. The three-year programme combines independent thesis research with a structured curriculum of survey courses, methods colloquia, and multidisciplinary skills workshops. Research focuses on contemporary controversies about liberal orders, examining causes and consequences of contestations, alternatives to the liberal model, and implications for politics, societies, and individuals in the 21st century. Each candidate is supported by a team of three supervisors drawn from BGTS faculty and external or international partners. Applicants should hold an exceptionally strong Master's degree in political science, international relations, sociology, economics, law, history, or a related discipline.
What you'll do
- Conduct independent doctoral thesis research on global and transregional processes related to liberal orders
- Complete content-oriented survey courses across multiple social science and humanities disciplines
- Participate in research methods colloquia and multidisciplinary skills workshops
- Present research findings regularly at internal colloquia and external academic conferences
- Engage with international guest lecturers and partner institutions across the SCRIPTS network
- Work closely with a supervisory team of three faculty members, including external and international supervisors
- Earn 180 credit points over the three-year structured curriculum alongside thesis work
Requirements
Degree required: Master's degree in social sciences (political science or sociology), area studies, history, economics, or law (usually 300 ECTS including the Bachelor's degree)
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English at C1 CEFR level; accepted tests include IELTS 8.0, TOEFL iBT 110, TOEFL PBT 603, TOEFL CBT 263, or TOEIC 785. Tests must not be older than two years at the time of application. Native English speakers and those whose prior instruction was in English may be exempt.
Instruction: English (100% of courses held in English); optional German language courses available
- Exceptionally strong academic record with a minimum grade point average of 2.4 in the German system (equivalent to a B average or 79% under ECTS)
- Academic background in political science, international relations, sociology, economics, law, history, or a related discipline
- Demonstrated capacity for independent doctoral-level research
- Proficiency in English at CEFR C1 level or higher
- Motivation and talent for interdisciplinary study bridging social sciences and area studies
- Master's degree in social sciences, area studies, history, economics, or law (typically 300 ECTS including Bachelor's)
- Open to applicants of all nationalities; no preference for EU citizens
- Applicants who have not yet completed their Master's may apply provisionally but must submit official proof of completion before enrolment
- Minimum grade point average of 2.4 under the German grading system (B average / 79% under ECTS)
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: January 31
Applications must be submitted online through the BGTS application portal. The annual call opens around 1 December and closes on 31 January for the following winter semester starting in September. All required documents must be uploaded by the deadline; late submissions are not accepted.
- Completed online application form
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of Master's degree completion or current transcript if degree is pending
- English language test results (for non-native speakers; PDF or JPEG format)
Contact
Create a free profile to unlock your personal match score, the full requirements, funding details and how to apply — in English or Persian.