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Program

The Graduate School of Global Politics (GSGP) is a three-year PhD program designed for outstanding doctoral candidates who wish to enhance their knowledge and prepare for academic careers in the fields of international Relations (IR) and political science. Jointly organized by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Freie Universität Berlin and Fudan University Shanghai, the program focuses on the role of formal and informal institutions in global politics and in the framework of the increasing cooperation between China and Europe. As the first social science doctoral program to offer a joint certificate from Chinese and German universities, GSGP is uniquely positioned to expand the academic dialogue between the two countries and deepen understanding of the two countries’ respective cultures and politics. The GSGP enjoys generous support of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in the framework of PhD-Net – Binationale Promotionsprogramme.

In addition to international research opportunities, GSGP offers its PhD candidates challenging interdisciplinary coursework that is designed to deepen the doctoral candidates’ understanding of both methodology and theory. The program involves an online course component, a 6-12 month research stay in the partner country, a project module, and a year of coursework at the home university. During these first two years, the PhD candidates spend six to eight hours a week in class while also conducting empirical research and developing a detailed plan for their dissertation. In the final year the doctoral candidates write their theses. Throughout the program, the PhD candidates work closely with three advisors, all of whom will be expert scholars in their particular area of interest. The dissertation, all coursework, and most research will be in the English language, a prerequisite for most international academic careers.

GSGP also provides its doctoral candidates with the opportunity to enhance their career perspectives by interning or conducting research at public and private sector partner institutions. The program gives the PhD candidates a rare and valuable combination of research and practical experience, academic preparation, and the international exchange opportunities necessary for a successful academic career in the 21st century.

In order to be awarded their doctoral degrees, the PhD candidates must meet the following requirements:

• successful completion of the coursework component

• the dissertations have to be accepted  (minimum Rite) by the thesis advisors and defended before a committee of scholars;

• German PhD candidates have to publish their thesis in monograph form according to the standard criteria for doctoral candidates in Germany;

• Chinese PhD candidates must publish three articles in accepted journals in the Chinese language.

The program is subject to change.