Two under the same roof

The BGHS offers doctoral programmes, both taught and research-based, in history and sociology, which combine four elements:

• an academic framework that covers a multitude of research areas,
• a doctoral programme that envisages a course duration of three years,
• a study programme which represents the core of the doctoral course and
• individual and flexible supervision.

The Doctoral Course

The School's aim is to shorten the doctoral course to no more than three years in order to allow its candidates an early start to their working lives in or outside academia.

In the first two years, doctoral candidates at the BGHS are expected to devote themselves to their research, to take part in seminars and colloquia, to gain some teaching experience and to organize workshops. The third year serves above all to write their doctoral theses. This timetable is meant to help candidates with the division of the time spent studying for their doctoral degree into distinct stages but can be adapted to the research needs of the individual student.

Course Programme

The doctoral candidates are encouraged to put together a course programme that is tailored to their own, individual needs and interests. They are also asked to make an active contribution to the intellectual life of the Graduate School.

The doctoral programme consists of three streams: there is the academic teaching programme (Stream A); there are the research colloquia (Stream B), and there are courses in the area of key competencies (Stream C).

Doctoral candidates are expected to attend at least four classes in Streams A and B and at least two classes in Stream C; participation in one theory seminar and one methodology seminar in Stream A is obligatory for all doctoral researchers.

The programme contains courses taught in German and English. Some seminars and colloquia are conducted jointly by historians, sociologists, political scientists or social anthropologists to make doctoral candidates reflect on the historical conditions and constructivist character of theories as well as the interdependence of theoretical and applied research. Both faculties offer a multitude of colloquia that cover major research fields in their respective discipline. The programme is rounded off by a range of courses whose purpose is to improve students' key competencies and professional orientation.

Study Groups

The BGHS offers as an extra so-called study groups. Organised and run by doctoral candidates, this is a new academic format that focuses on innovative approaches and new thematic perspectives and is also aimed at MA students and professors. As small working units, they foster intensive debates, close working relations, and a community spirit.