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Program

The Graduate School of Global Politics (GSGP) is a three-year PhD program for outstanding doctoral candidates wishing to enhance their knowledge and prepare for academic or professional careers in the fields of international Relations (IR) and political science. Jointly organized by the Freie Universität Berlin and partner universities in China, the program focuses on global politics with a special emphasis on EU-Chinese relations. As the first social science doctoral program to offer a joint certificate from Chinese and German universities, the GSGP is uniquely positioned to expand the academic dialogue between the two countries and deepen understanding of the their respective cultures and politics. The GSGP receives generous support from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) within the framework of its PhD-Net – Binationale Promotionsprogramme.

In addition to international research opportunities, the GSGP’s core program also offers its PhD candidates:

- challenging interdisciplinary coursework designed to deepen the doctoral candidates’ understanding of both methodology and theory;

- a colloquium tailored specifically to GSGP PhD candidates;

- blended learning, with online courses and introductory intensive seminars;

- elective courses at both the home and partner universities;

- a 6-12 month research stay in the partner country.

As doctoral candidates must also fulfil the requirements of their home university, PhD candidates from the FU Berlin will also complete courses such as:

- skills trainings, for example research management, language courses, etc.;

- one project module.

During the first two years, PhD candidates spend six to eight hours a week in class, conduct empirical research and develop a detailed dissertation plan. In the final year they write their doctoral theses. Throughout the program, the PhD candidates work closely with their supervisors, all of whom are expert scholars in their particular fields of interest. The dissertation, all coursework, and most of the research will be in the English language, itself a prerequisite for most international academic careers.