Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Department of Philosophy - Philosophy, Science and the Sciences

Frequently asked questions

What is the Research Training Group ‘Philosophy, Science and the Sciences’?

What does the Qualification Program offer?

What does the curriculum look like?

What are the application requirements for the doctoral program?

What are the application requirements for the pre-doctoral program?

How do I apply?

Which documents do I have to upload to my online application?

Do I need German and/or English language certificates?

How do I provide the required references for my application?

What are the next steps after having submitted my application?

What kind of funding can I expect?

How much do I have to pay to study at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin?

 

What is the Research Training Group ‘Philosophy, Science and the Sciences’?

The Research Training Group is a doctoral program. It offers three-year fellowships for the writing of a dissertation, and one-year pre-doctoral fellowships to prepare for the writing of a dissertation over three further years. The dissertations are advised by the professors who are the members of the Research Training Group, and they focus on the topic ‘Philosophy, Science and the Sciences.’ This topic focuses on the dialogue between different forms and models of knowledge in ancient Greek, Roman and Arabic philosophy and science. Special attention is given to the interface between philosophy and the special sciences, including both the explicit views of ancient thinkers about it and also their actual practice of dealing with the interface between philosophy and the special sciences. We expect dissertations to deal both with some special science or other and with philosophy, but we construe these categories broadly. The special science in question might be a familiar one such as mathematics or medicine, or it might be something like rhetoric or divination.

Students in the program acquire a doctorate in philosophy or classics (in some cases, there are also options for history and theology).

The interdisciplinary project brings together philosophers, classicists, Arabists and historians of science. Its participating and associate researchers are internationally recognized leaders in their area of research.

The qualification program aims to train doctoral students in philosophy, classics, history of science and Arabic studies to pursue international careers at the highest levels. [back to top]

 

What does the Qualification Program offer?

The Qualification Program aims at developing doctoral candidates into full-fledged junior researchers and is designed to prepare candidates for their next steps after the doctorate. The curriculum is based on reading groups, research seminars and doctoral colloquia. The doctoral program is designed to ensure that doctoral students complete their dissertation within three years. They earn their doctorate in philosophy or classics (in some cases, there are also options for history and theology).

The program also offers pre-doctoral studies of one year. This option is reserved for candidates who we are confident will produce excellent dissertations, but require slightly more time, e.g. to improve language skills; to deepen and broaden their knowledge of ancient philosophy or science; and to rework a promising but imperfect dissertation proposal. To join the program the standard requirement is an MA or equivalent degree.

Each student has a team of at least two professors as supervisors. At least one must be a member of the Research Training Group’s faculty. The second may be, but need not be, and may be a professor at another institution. The supervising strategy includes an Academic Coordinator who provides extensive supplemental support. Students will be asked to report on the progress of their dissertation on a regular basis.

The program is strongly international. Most students will spend some time at a university abroad. In addition the program will bring distinguished international scholars to Berlin. [back to top]

 

What does the curriculum look like?

For the doctoral program, the standard study period is six semesters encompassing 180 credits. The doctoral thesis counts as 150 credit points, 30 credit points are earned by attending colloquia, research seminars, reading groups, workshops and conferences, as well as transferable skills courses.

Here is a sample curriculum for Ancient Philosophy.

When appropriate, students might follow the curriculum of the program ‘History of Science’ instead.

During the pre-doctoral year, students attend the same colloquia and courses that are offered to the doctoral students, plus additional courses according to their needs (e.g. language training). [back to top]

 

What are the application requirements for the doctoral program?

Scientific qualification: To join the doctoral program, you need to be ready to write a dissertation within three years. Normally, candidates hold an excellent MA or equivalent degree in philosophy or classics (in some cases, history or theology might also be an option). You can also apply if you have not yet earned that degree at the time of application, but must have your certificate by the time you enter the program. In exceptional cases, we might consider candidates who will not have completed an MA (or equivalent) when they begin the program. Please make sure to provide a translation if your certificate is not in English or German (a non-certified translation is sufficient for your application, but you will need an officially certified one for your admission to the program).

Language skills: You are expected to have sufficient command of the relevant ancient languages for your dissertation project. Since the language of instruction is predominantly English, your English should be good enough to join discussions and write papers. If necessary, we expect you to take additional language training in any of these languages during the program. You do not need to know German at the time of application, but we expect you to learn German during your studies.

To prove your language skills, please provide the respective certificates with your application, if available.

Dissertation proposal and work plan: The core of your application is a well-defined and elaborate dissertation proposal and a work plan in which you give a time line for the working steps you plan in order to finalize your project within three years.

Writing sample: Just as important is a writing sample of 15-20 pages to prove your scientific writing skills and abilities to deal with a given subject. This sample may be some part of your Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis, or some other piece of work in ancient philosophy, philology or history of science.

Letters of recommendation: We need two confidential references from university faculty who have supervised you in your academic career. With your application you have to provide the contact details of these referees. Please note that your referees will have to send their letters of recommendation directly to us (as pdf or scan via email to irma.handwerker@hu-berlin.de). [back to top]

 

What are the application requirements for the pre-doctoral program?

Scientific qualification: For the pre-doctoral year of studies, the standard requirement is an MA or equivalent degree, normally in philosophy or classics (in some cases, history or theology might also be an option). You can also apply if you have not yet earned that degree at the time of application, but must have your certificate by the time you enter the program. Please make sure to provide a translation if your certificate is not in English or German (a non-certified translation is sufficient for your application, but you will need an officially certified one for your admission to the program).

Language skills: You should have sufficient command of ancient languages to be able to pursue your dissertation project; if necessary you will have to acquire and/or improve your language skills during the pre-doc year. Since the language of instruction is predominantly English, your English should be good enough to join discussions and write papers. If necessary, we expect you to take additional language training. You do not need to know German at the time of application, but we expect you to learn German during your studies.

To prove your language skills, please provide the respective certificates with your application, if available.

Dissertation proposal and work plan: The core of your application is your dissertation proposal that should be as developed and well-defined as possible, though we do not expect your proposal to be as elaborate as that of a doctoral candidate. You also need to provide a work plan in which you give a time line for the working steps you plan in order to rework your project within a year.

Writing sample: Just as important is a writing sample of 15-20 pages to prove your scientific writing skills and abilities to deal with a given subject. This sample may be some part of your Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis, or some other piece of work in ancient philosophy, philology or history of science.

Letters of recommendation: We need two confidential references from university faculty who have supervised you in your academic career. With your application you have to provide the contact details of these referees. Please make sure that your referees send their letters of recommendation directly to us (as pdf file via email to irma.handwerker@hu-berlin.de). [back to top]

 

How do I apply?

Please use the online application platform to enter all the relevant information and to submit your application. We only consider applications submitted via this online tool.

Please read carefully and follow the instructions given here and on the start page of the application platform. Once you have registered and logged in you will be able to enter your data and upload the required documents. For any data you enter directly into the online form, please make sure not to use any special characters (like ä, ö, ü, ñ, ø, α, µ etc.) – i.e. use standard alphabet and numbers only, for otherwise the platform might not be able to process your data! (This does not apply, of course, to texts and documents you upload as pdf or jpg files.)

You may enter and edit your application as many times as you wish before submitting it. Only after you have submitted your application will we be able to view your data and consider your application for the admissions process. [back to top]

 

Which documents do I have to upload to my online application?

The required documents that must be uploaded to the online application platform are:

  • Your curriculum vitae
  • Your academic certificates (university and college). Please note: you can apply for the pre-doc / doctoral program if you have not yet earned your MA (or equivalent) degree at the time of application, but must have that certificate by the time you enter the program.
  • Your writing sample

If available, please upload also the following documents:

  • Language certificates
  • List of publications

In the application platform, the required entries and uploads are marked with a symbol (yellow triangle with “!”) [back to top]

 

Do I need German and/or English language certificates?

We do not require language certificates, but, if available, please provide them with your online application. This will help us in assessing your language abilities. Since the language of instruction is predominantly English, your English should be good enough to attend classes and write papers. The interview will also be in English. You do not need to know German at the time of application, but we expect you to learn German during your studies. [back to top]

 

How do I provide the required references for my application?

Please ask your referees to send their letters of recommendation directly to us (as pdf file via email to irma.handwerker@hu-berlin.de). The letters should arrive no later than the date of the application deadline. Please enter the names and contact details of your referees in the respective section of your online application. [back to top]

 

What are the next steps after having submitted my application?

Right after submitting your application you will get an email confirmation with your registration number. After the application deadline, we will need some time to assess all the applications submitted and select the candidates for an interview.

If you are among the short-listed candidates we will send you an invitation via email. To candidates from abroad we offer to conduct the interview online. Of course, you are also welcome to travel to Berlin for your interview, but we cannot compensate you for travel costs.

The interview is in English. (If German is not your native language, but you have studied some German, parts of the interview might be conducted in German.) The interview committee will ask you to give a brief presentation of your research proposal to kick off the discussion. Following your presentation the committee will discuss your proposal with you. [back to top]

 

What kind of funding can I expect?

Funding is available from the Research Training Group. We also welcome students to the program who get funding from other sources.

The Research Training Group funds participants of the doctoral program for three years. The funding includes a stipend of €1365 per month, plus a research allowance of €103 per month. Pre-doctoral students will be funded for one year, with a stipend of €800 per month.

Students with children will receive an additional €400 per month for the first child and €100 per month for each subsequent child.

For all students within the Research Training Group's program (including those who get funding from other organizations), additional funds are available for attending workshops and conferences and for research stays at universities abroad.[back to top]

 

How much do I have to pay to study at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin?

At the Humboldt-Universität there are no tuition fees, while there are low administrative fees of approx. 250 Euro per semester. The fees include a ticket for public transport in Berlin.

The living costs in Berlin depend on your individual living standards, of course, for accommodation, food etc. Please note that you will have to take care of your own health insurance and any other kind of insurance you might need for your individual requirements.

You can find more information here on the website of the Humboldt Graduate School.

The Studentenwerk Berlin (student services organization) offers, among other things, a number of options and links for accommodation. [back to top]