Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences - Institute of Asian and African Studies

Research Areas / Topic Clusters for Doctoral Theses

You can pursue a Doctorate (Dr. phil.) in one of the following fields:

• Sociology

• Global and Area Studies

• Southeast Asian Studies

Language Requirements

You must provide certified proof of language proficiency according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

• The dissertation must be written in German or English.

• The required level is C1 (proficient user) in the language of the dissertation.

Admission Requirements (General Information)

Please consult the website of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin for detailed information on:

• admission criteria

• procedures for the equivalence certificate for international degrees

• the full application and admission process

The admission process differs slightly depending on your previous degree:

• Four-tiered process for applicants without an MA/MPhil degree from a German university

• Three-tiered process for applicants with an MA/MPhil degree from a German university

Additional Requirement for Applicants Without a German MA/MPhil

If you do not hold an MA/MPhil degree from a German university, you must first obtain a:

Certified Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications
issued by the ZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education)

This document is required before you can be recognized as a potential PhD candidate in Global and Area Studies, Sociology, or Southeast Asian Studies.

Subsequent Three-Step Admission Process

Once the ZAB certificate (if required) is available, the admission process consists of three main steps:

1. Finding a Supervisor
   You first need to clarify whether your intended supervisor is a suitable match for your project and willing to supervise it. For this purpose, please submit the documents listed under Selection by the Professor (see below).

2. Faculty Admission
   If an agreement on supervision is reached, you must formally apply for admission to the doctoral program at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

3. Enrollment at Humboldt-Universität
   After receiving the faculty’s admission letter, you must enroll as a doctoral student at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin within one month of notification.

Selection by the Professor

All PhD applicants are requested to submit the following documents by email as PDF attachments (incomplete or very short-notice applications cannot be considered):

1. One combined PDF containing:

   • curriculum vitae (CV)

   • transcript of records

   • graduate degree certificates

   • ZAB certificate (if applicable)

2. Research proposal

   • maximum five pages

   • in German or English

   • concise and carefully proofread

Please send your application to:
daniel.bultmann@hu-berlin.de

Your documents will be reviewed. If your project is considered suitable, you will be invited to an appointment:

• in person (if you are based in Germany), or

• via online video call (e.g. Skype) for applicants abroad.

Admission to the Doctoral Program (Faculty Procedure)

If we confirm our intent to supervise your project, the next step is the formal admission procedure with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

All applicants are requested to:

1. Read the faculty’s FAQ section carefully.

2. Prepare the required application documents/forms, which largely correspond to those already submitted to us.

   • Please note: for the faculty application, the research proposal must not exceed two pages.

3. Arrange an appointment in good time – by email, phone or in person – with the Desk for Doctoral Studies:

• for Sociology: Kertin Ludwigs

• for Global and Area Studies / Southeast Asian Studies: Sarah Affenzeller