Doing your PhD at the BGSMCS
Academic Calendar
Curriculum
The Graduate School offers a research-oriented, structured curriculum that aims to achieve a balance between specialisation in a given field of study and in-depth multidisciplinary training (“discipline- based multidisciplinarity”).
Requirements are exacting: You have to come to the School with an excellent record of academic achievement in their chosen field of study, adequate preparation in the required languages, and knowledge of the region, country, or community they wish to study. We offer to expand your theoretical and methodological proficiency, and to enhance and, if necessary, extend your linguistic skills. Moreover, we introduce you to the wider academic field locally, nationally, and internationally, and whenever possible, facilitate their access to practitioners in non-university institutions, from museums and ministries to the media, publishing houses, and think tanks. All elements of the research training programme have been tried and tested over the past years, and, where necessary, adjusted to the demands and needs of the doctoral researchers.
Our study programme includes:
- Colloquia
- Research seminars and workshops
- Language training and soft skills courses
- Regular meetings with your supervisors
- Financial support for research and conference travel
- A workspace at the Graduate School
Doctoral fellows are required to accumulate a total number of 30 credit points (CP) by attending mandatory and optional courses and completing their doctoral theses. Mandatory courses include the induction week, a theory and methods seminar, and two research colloquia, pre- and post-field and archival workshops, as well as a number of transferable skills courses. Optional courses include language classes and workshops as well as lectures and research seminars offered by other academic institutions in Berlin or at other German and foreign universities. In addition, doctoral fellows are encouraged to publish articles, to teach or co-teach classes, to do an internship relevant to their future professional careers, or to present their research at international workshops and conferences, all within reasonable limits.
The course of studies over four years has different focuses:
1st year: Enhance your theoretical and methodological skills and hone your research questions.
2nd year: Conduct research in the field, archives, and libraries.
3rd year: Begin the writing process, discuss your work in colloquia and at conferences.
4th year: Write your doctoral thesis.
All members of the Graduate School are obliged to follow the guidelines of Freie Universität for safeguarding good scientific practice in order to ensure research integrity.
More Information:
Antidiscrimination Policy of Freie Universität Berlin:
https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/diversity/antidiskriminierung/_elemente-Startseite/240426_Antidiscrimination_Policy_EN_FINAL.pdf
A Call for Compassion, Respect, and Tolerance:
https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/themen/menschlichkeit-respekt-toleranz/index.html
Central Ethics Committee at FU Berlin:
As part of its commitment to both academic freedom and scientific responsibility, the Central Ethics Committee provides researchers at Freie Universität Berlin with support in addressing and evaluating ethical issues related to research. In addition, it promotes awareness within the university of ethical concerns in research.
https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/forschung/service/ethik/index.html
Code of Conduct:
This code of conduct, which incorporates principles from existing guidelines and regulations, outlines our shared values when it comes to how we interact and show respect for one another on campus. It applies regardless of whether you are an instructor, researcher, student, employee, or visitor at Freie Universität Berlin. Our university is dedicated to the goal of promoting equal opportunities and creating an environment for teaching, studying, working, and research that is inclusive and respectful to people from all backgrounds. Discrimination, bullying, and violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The code of conduct of course also refers to our commitment to promoting academic integrity, adopting a responsible approach to management, protecting the environment, and conserving resources.
https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/universitaet/code-of-conduct/index.html
If you are confronted with a situation in which you believe the values of our code of conduct have been violated, you are encouraged to reach out and receive (confidential) counseling. You can find further information on our counseling, advising, and support services here: https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/beratung/index.html
