phd berlin literature

• CHE University Ranking
• DAAD database on admission requirements
• Help and Advice

International Programmes 2023/2024

International PhD Programme (IPP) Literary and Cultural Studies International PhD Programme Literary and Cultural Studies

Justus liebig university giessen • gießen.

• Course details
• Costs / Funding
• Requirements / Registration
• About the university

Courses are held in English (75%) and German (25%). Each participant can choose to write his or her dissertation in the language agreed upon with his or her supervisor.

The deadline for applications is 1 February every year. In some cases - for example, if the applicant will not finish her/his degree until after 1 February - it is possible to extend the deadline to 1 May after consulting the IPP.

The International PhD Programme (IPP) "Literary and Cultural Studies" at Justus Liebig University Giessen offers a clearly structured and research-oriented, three-year doctoral programme focusing on four research areas:

• Literary and Cultural Theory
• Genre Theory
• Literary and Cultural Historiography
• Comparative and Interdisciplinary Issues

Participating departments include English and American Studies, German Studies, Romance Studies, Slavic Studies, Comparative Literary Studies and Theatre Studies.

The IPP curriculum grants postgraduate students the opportunity to develop their academic profile in a wide range of courses designed specifically for (international) PhD students in the fields of literary and cultural studies. Core modules, seminars, workshops and Master's classes with renowned scholars from all over the world acquaint postgraduate students with state-of-the-art concepts, theories, methodologies and approaches. At the same time, IPP members are encouraged to pursue independent research from an early stage in their academic careers onwards. International Summer Schools and Conferences organised within the framework of an expansive international network with high-ranking universities from around the world integrate IPP members into national and international academic communities. The languages of instruction are German and English.

IPP members benefit from the programme's close integration into academic structures at Justus Liebig University (JLU). The IPP and the Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture (GCSC) jointly organise parts of their programmes. Additionally, IPP members are welcome to join junior research groups at the Giessen Graduate Centre for the Humanities (GGK) and to publish in the GGK/GCSC's online review journal KULT_online. IPP members not only find support in developing an international academic profile, but may acquire additional academic and practical qualifications that pave their way to academic as well as non-academic job markets. The GGK/GCSC Career Service offers chances to strategically plan life after the dissertation even while pursuing your degree and to facilitate the transition from postgraduate studies into the professional world. The GCSC Teaching Centre assists PhD students in acquiring valuable didactic skills, which are relevant in academic teaching as well as in many non-academic professions, and supports PhD candidates in elaborating their own teaching portfolios. Multi-track supervision and mentoring structures encompass professorial supervisors, postdoctoral mentors and peer-group coaching. Our international participants benefit from tutorials and language courses especially designed to pave their way to involvement in the German academic community. Social and cultural activities, such as excursions or theatre visits, complete our programme and facilitate strong bonds with peers.

Set in an intellectually stimulating and international context, the IPP provides extensive supervision and mentoring structures. The programme offers multi-track supervision and mentoring systems revolving around professorial supervisors, postdoctoral mentors, and peer-group coaching. The mentors provide advice not only on the dissertation, but also on scholarships, on applying for conferences, writing articles and similar activities.

The IPP offers a rich and promising environment for pursuing your PhD and guarantees support and guidance in all matters relating to your PhD throughout the three years of membership. Personal supervision is complemented by participation in our curriculum: regular colloquia with fellow PhD students, professors and post-docs allow an ongoing discussion of one's own project, as well as those of others, from an early state of inception to the submission of the PhD thesis.

Master's classes and workshops with high-ranking academics from around the world offer PhD students the chance to present their projects to specialists in the field, to benefit from their feedback, and to establish valuable international contacts. A broad spectrum of courses conveys essential skills e.g. in time management, in writing styles and techniques, in the handling of software tools for publishing, and managing bibliographies.

• International guest lecturers
• Study trips
• Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
• Language training provided

An internship is not part of the programme.

Approx. 795 EUR

Graduate scholarship of the Justus Liebig University / Graduiertenstipendien der Justus-Liebig-Universität

Students wishing to apply to the IPP "Literary and Cultural Studies" must hold a university degree in Literary Studies (e.g. German Studies, English/American Studies, Romance Studies, Slavic Studies, Comparative Literary Studies, Theatre Studies) with a GPA (average/final grade) well above average. Applicants should either hold a "Diplom", "Magister", "Erstes Staatsexamen" or Master's degree if obtained in Germany or a university degree equivalent to the German Master of Arts with thesis if obtained abroad. Furthermore, sound knowledge in either English or German is required.

For most disciplinary areas, the language of the dissertation and the dissertation defence is either German or English. The PhD Committee may accept the language of your respective discipline (i.e., French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese) as well.

Even if the language of the dissertation is other than German, basic skills in German need to be acquired in the course of your studies. The IPP offers courses and training in German, English, and French. We would warmly advise you, however, to acquire a basic knowledge of German before coming to Giessen.

Prof Dr Dr h c Ansgar Nünning International PhD Programme (IPP) "Literary and Cultural Studies" Giessen Graduate School for the Humanities (GGK) Justus Liebig University Giessen Otto-Behaghel-Str. 12 35394 Giessen Germany

Halls of residence and private accommodation: www.uni-giessen.de/acc

IPP members can make use of the Career Service at the Graduate Centre, e.g., workshops, preparatory courses, and consultations.

• Specialist counselling

Justus Liebig University Giessen

Founded in 1607, Justus Liebig University Giessen is one of Germany's top research universities. It is not only rich in tradition but also highly innovative. Another unique feature is JLU Giessen's extraordinarily broad range of subjects. Additionally, JLU Giessen's 26,500 students and its ever-growing student community substantially contribute to making Giessen the city with the highest student ratio of all university towns in Germany. This singles out JLU Giessen as a key player in the region. However, with 40% international doctoral students, an international student community of around 11%, high-profile international partnerships, and two top-class international research facilities funded by Germany's nationwide Excellence Strategy, JLU is also a very active and highly attractive networking partner worldwide. Internationalisation is at the heart of JLU's institutional self-concept, and its internationalisation strategy with the motto "future through internationalisation" is a critical success factor for research and teaching as well as the personal development of its members. Excellent basic research combined with socially relevant application, the exploitation of interdisciplinary synergies, support for outstanding next-generation scholars, first-class university teaching, and an explicit international orientation define JLU Giessen in the fifth century of its existence, making it fit for the future.

University location

With around 92,000 inhabitants, Giessen is Germany's most student-dominated city and its two universities with their "extra population" of 40,000 students provide a unique college-town atmosphere. The city centre offers plenty of diversion for students, including film theatres (with student concession tickets), the municipal theatre with its experimental studios, swimming pools and sports and workout facilities, and a wide variety of pubs, restaurants (continental and ethnic), and night life venues. Therefore, you can add lots of flavour to your studies. The great thing about Giessen is that it's an easy place to navigate and, when the mood takes you, to escape into the picturesque surrounding countryside or the metropolis of Frankfurt am Main, which is about 60 kilometres away.

Activate map

To activate the map, click on the "Show map" button. We would like to point out that data will be transmitted to OpenStreetMap after activation. You can find out more in our privacy policy. You can revoke your consent to the transmission of data at any time.

We need your help to improve our website!

we are re-designing our website and want to include you in the process. Please fill out a short questionnaire. This will only take a few minutes, but will help us tremendously to determine how we can improve the usability of our website. Thank you very much for your support!

Best regards, Your DAAD Team

© DAAD

Doctoral Programs

Five universities offer doctoral programs with excellent funding opportunities and join forces with outstanding non-university research institutions to generate a unique, vibrant academic environment. This website will give you an insight into what the Berlin area has in store in all disciplines, ranging from ancient history to astrophysics – browse and be inspired!

Are you looking for a certain subject, field of study or doctoral program? Then simply type in your search phrase and click on the red search button.

You are not sure yet and simply want to get an overview of relevant disciplines? Then you can mark the according check boxes, click on the browse button and see what Berlin has to offer.

• 1.0 Natural Sciences (62)
• 1.1 Mathematics (19)
• 1.2 Computer and information sciences (20)
• 1.3 Physical sciences (31)
• 1.4 Chemical sciences (16)
• 1.5 Earth and related environmental sciences (10)
• 1.6 Biological sciences (39)
• 1.7 Other natural sciences (9)
• 4.0 Agricultural Sciences (6)
• 4.1 Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (3)
• 4.2 Animal and dairy science (1)
• 4.3 Veterinary science (6)
• 4.4 Agricultural biotechnology (2)
• 4.5 Other agricultural sciences (1)
• 2.0 Engineering and Technology (16)
• 2.10 Nano-technology (6)
• 2.11 Other engineering and technologies (3)
• 2.1 Civil engineering (2)
• 2.2 Electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering (4)
• 2.3 Mechanical engineering (4)
• 2.4 Chemical engineering (4)
• 2.5 Materials engineering (5)
• 2.6 Medical engineering (6)
• 2.7 Environmental engineering (7)
• 2.8 Environmental biotechnology (2)
• 2.9 Industrial biotechnology (3)
• 5.0 Social Sciences (30)
• 5.1 Psychology (6)
• 5.2 Economics and business (16)
• 5.3 Educational sciences (5)
• 5.4 Sociology (9)
• 5.5 Law (jurisprudence) (4)
• 5.6 Political science (13)
• 5.7 Social and economic geography (3)
• 5.8 Media and communications (1)
• 5.9 Other social sciences (3)
• 3.0 Medical and Health Sciences (23)
• 3.1 Basic medicine (2)
• 3.2 Clinical medicine (10)
• 3.3 Health sciences (5)
• 3.4 Health biotechnology (4)
• 3.5 Other medical sciences (2)
• 6.0 Humanities (27)
• 6.1 History and archaeology (14)
• 6.2 Languages and literature (11)
• 6.3 Philosophy, ethics and religion (11)
• 6.4 Art (arts, history of arts, performing arts, music) (4)
• 6.5 Other humanities (5)

• News in English
• News in German
• Press Releases in German
• Imprint/Contact
• Institutions
• Prospective Students
• Doctoral Candidates
• Postdoctorates
• Tenure-Track-Professors

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Faculty of language, literature and humanities.

Residence of the deanary

Universitätsgebäude am Hegelplatz

Dorotheenstraße 24 10117 Berlin

Department of German Literature

Department of German Studies and Linguistics

Department of Northern European Studies

Department of Romance Literatures and Linguistics

Boeckh-Haus

Dorotheenstraße 65 10117 Berlin

Department of English and American Studies

Dorotheenstraße 28 10117 Berlin

Department of Slavic and Hungarian Studies

Department of Classical Philology

Universitäts-Hauptgebäude

Unter den Linden 6 10117 Berlin

HU on the internet

• Humboldt University on Facebook
• Humboldt University on Twitter
• Humboldt University on Instagram
• Humboldt University on YouTube
• Humboldt University on LinkedIn
• RSS-Feeds of the Humboldt University

German Studies Graduate Program

All Ph.D. students admitted to the Ph.D. program in German Studies receive 5 years of 12-month funding. This financial support is provided through a combination of fellowship stipend and tuition, and research and teaching assistantships. Additional funding is provided to support academic and research expenses. Core faculty in German Studies represent a broad spectrum of approaches to literature and culture including philosophy and literature, political discourse, Jewish studies, Frankfurt School, literary theory, and visual culture. The historical scope spans from the Middle Ages to the present. For bios of the German Studies faculty, click here . 

• Master of Arts in German Studies
• Doctor of Philosophy in German Studies
• Doctor of Philosophy Minor in German Studies

Graduate Program Application Details

Elizabeth Bernhardt-Kamil Director of German Studies Bldg 30, Rm 110 (650) 723-7013 ebernhar [at] stanford.edu (ebernhar[at]stanford[dot]edu)

John Giammalva In Memoriam, Student Services Manager Pigott Hall, Bldg 260, Rm 127 (650) 279-3630 dlclstudentservices [at] stanford.edu (dlclstudentservices[at]stanford[dot]edu)

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

M.a. english literatures.

The four-semester Master's programme is designed to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of English literatures and cultures and a methodological approach to literary studies.

Curricular modules are designed to enhance critical understanding by exploring texts in their historical and cultural context, in their interaction with other literatures, and from a variety of relevant perspectives, including historical scholarship and aesthetics, close textual analysis, and contemporary literary and cultural theories and poetics. Literary texts are studied as works of art, and as configurations of historical and media-specific fields of transformation. Literature is seen as a productive agent in the formation of the cultural knowledge of a society and of the individual self-conceptions of its members.

The M.A. is a taught Master's programme, yet at the same time it places a strong emphasis on self-conducted research and project work. In general classroom instruction is conducted in English. Additionally the programme includes special English Language modules.

The programme is designed to prepare and qualify for employment in the cultural professions and the media, academic posts as well as for a broad range of jobs requiring sophisticated competences in the writing of texts, in organisation, and communication. The degree is granted on acceptance of a Master's thesis.

There are interdisciplinary links to the MA programmes of European Literatures and Gender Studies.

New students in the Master English Literatures at our department please register with the moodle-course " Studienfachberatung Master English Litertures ". This is the place for updated information on introductory meetings and everything else you might want to get to know about the Master English Literatures.

• The Studien- und Prüfungsordnung (StO/PO) is the document that regulates which courses and exams you have to take in your program. It can be accessed via the Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaftliche Fakultät . As the Studienordnungen are continually improved, various versions of them exist. Make sure you find the version of the Studienordnung under which you were/will be immatriculated (by year).
• Application Requirements for Domestic and International Students
• Imortant Forms - Study and Examination Regulations, Certificate of Attendance Form ( Arbeitsnachweis ), Information on the Master Thesis, Non-Plagiarism Declaration Form
• Informationen zum Überfachlichen Wahlpflichtbereich (ÜWP)
• English Studies Section
• Consultation and Guidance

Idealtypischer Studienverlaufsplan mit Modulbeschreibungen (StO 2014)

This is an overview of the modules you will take in your MA programme English Literatures and a suggestion in which semester to take them.

SE 4 LP/2 SWS SE 4 LP/1 SWS

HU on the internet

• Humboldt University on Facebook
• Humboldt University on Twitter
• Humboldt University on Instagram
• Humboldt University on YouTube
• Humboldt University on LinkedIn
• RSS-Feeds of the Humboldt University

• General information

Requirements

Application & admission, further information.

English Literatures

How do you want to continue, qualification requirements.

Bachelor's degree in English studies/Englisch/Anglistik or in comparative literature  (literary and cultural studies, literary history, literary theory, methodologies) is required, or an equivalent degree with a minimum of 60 credit points in English studies. In Germany - as in the United States and Great Britain - English studies are understood to focus on  literary and cultural studies . If your previous BA program is specialized in linguistics, translation, or didactics, you do not meet the academic requirements.

You can check the official admission requirements here (document in German language).

Language Requirements

The following certificates are recognised as proof of your language proficience.

Application Deadlines

Login or Sign-up (for free) to:

• → request information packages
• → see your personal application deadline & tuition fee

Application Procedure & Selection

For the application via uni-assist: € 75 for the first application, € 30 for each additional

Application Documents

Please note that an application cannot be considered unless uni-assist has received all the required documentation within the prescribed period.

The following documents must be attached to an application:

• Officially authenticated copies of educational certificates obtained so far, including the secondary school leaving certificate together with marks received and, if applicable, university entrance examination documentation, evidence of study areas and grades obtained in previous studies including an explanation of the given grading system, graduation certificate and, if applicable, diploma supplement.
• Enrolment certificate, if you are a student at another German or European higher education institution at the time you apply for a place at Humboldt, or certificate of exmatriculation (Exmatrikulationsbescheinigung) specifying the areas of study and number of semesters if you have previously studied at another higher education institution in Germany.
• German translations of all certificates (exception: documents in English) as officially authenticated copies.
• Evidence of German language skills (see language requirements) and/or English, French, Spanish proof, etc. as officially authenticated copies - if applicable for the chosen subject.
• CV starting with the beginning of school education up till now.
• A photocopy of your passport or identity card (for applicants from the EU).
• The self-assessment sheet is required for some Masters (available as a pdf file on the uni-assist application portal). For every master, the entry and language requirements have to be taken into account.

For more information please check the

Freie Universität Berlin

Service navigation.

• Legal Notice
• Data Protection Policy
• Emergencies
• Accessibility Statement
• DE: Deutsch
• EN: English
• Prospective Students
• Students and Doctorate
• Researchers
• Alumni and Supporters
• Journalists
• Continuing Education

Path Navigation

• Our Degree Programs
• Master's Programs

English Studies: Literature, Language, Culture

- master´s programs.

[email protected]

Institut für Englische Philologie: MA-Handbook

Student Advisement

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements for admission to the Master's degree program:

• with a degree in English Philology that is at least equivalent to the 60-credit point module in English Philology offered by the Department of Philosophy and Humanities at Freie Universität Berlin or
• in general and comparative literature (comparative literature), cultural studies, cultural anthropology, cultural sociology, gender studies, film studies, theater and dance studies or in other philologies with a literary and cultural studies component in English philology of at least 20 credit points

Proof of English language skills (level C1 CEFR) for applicants whose degree was not obtained at an institution/university where English is generally the language of instruction across all courses in all faculties (see MA-Handbook for details).

The program moves beyond the traditional disciplinary segregation within English studies and seeks to combine literature, linguistics, and cultural studies of the English-speaking world except North America. As a result, it offers a fresh, uncompartmentalized, and international approach to the subjects studied. Courses and study areas will not be confined to one national literature but will focus on intercultural and transcultural phenomena. The program will develop students’ awareness of historical context and the relationships of literature to other texts and media.

Basic Information