How to apply

A one-page statement of purpose, written by you in English, which provides information about your suitability and motivation for participating in the GSBS and your proposed research project. Your statement should refer to the position to which you are applying for.

A complete curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order, written in English.

1. Original Master’s degree certificate.
2. Original transcript for your Master’s degree, showing subjects taken and grades obtained for each term/semester of study.
3. Original Bachelor’s degree certificate.
4. Original transcript for your Bachelor’s degree, showing subjects taken and grades obtained for each term/semester of study.

Applicants in the final year of their Master’s studies include an original transcript of subjects taken and grades obtained for each term/semester of study so far.

If your original educational documents were not issued in English or German, officially certified translations of these documents into either English or German must be included.

Proof of your English proficiency (scan of the original English language test certificate or score sheet) via one of the following English language tests:

• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency (minimum grade: C)
• IELTS (minimum band: 6.5)
• TOEFL (minimum score: 92 Internet-based points).
  Our TOEFL institutional code is 8971 and our department code is 84.

Alternatively, proof, via your Master’s transcript, that you have obtained at least half of the credits required for your Master’s studies in modules taught in English.

Proof of the title of your Master’s thesis, either via your Master’s transcript or an official letter confirming the title. If no Master’s thesis has been written, proof of the title of a relevant seminar or term paper via your Master’s transcript or an official letter confirming the title.

If the thesis or paper was not completed in English or German, an officially certified translation of the title of the thesis or paper into English or German must also be provided.

Scanned original certificate of the Academic Evaluation Centre (“Akademische Prüfstelle” – “APS”) of the German Embassy. For further information, please consult the relevant German Embassy website:

• Beijing: www.aps.org.cn
• Hanoi: www.hanoi.diplo.de
• Ulan Bator: www.ulan-bator.diplo.de

All applicants require two letters of recommendation from professors/lecturers at their institution of study, who are able to comment on their suitability and motivation for participating in the GSBS. The letters of recommendation must be sent separately as PDF files by the referees to the following e-mail address: application.phd@uni-konstanz.de by the application deadline of 15th April.

If the letters are not written in English or German, an officially certified translation into either English or German must also be provided. Letters must include the letter-head of the referees and their signatures.

Successful applicants will be required to submit all original documents or officially certified copies of these upon registration at the University of Konstanz.

Funding is provided for selected applicants in the form of positions as research or teaching assistants. Some selected applicants are funded via scholarships or have their own funding.

For further information, please see: GSBS: Financing

Yes. Simply include your original final transcript of your Master’s studies, showing subjects taken and grades obtained for each term/semester of study, with an officially certified translation into English or German, if relevant.

Yes. Simply include your original transcript of your Master’s studies so far, showing subjects taken and grades obtained for each term/semester of study, with an officially certified translation into English or German, if relevant.

No. Supervisors are assigned to accepted applicants prior to starting the GSBS.

However, applicants can indicate on the application form and in their statement of purpose, which supervisors and research areas they are interested in.

This assists us in matching applicants with potential supervisors.

A complete research proposal is not required at the stage of applying. However, it is important that you mention, in your one-page statement of purpose, your research interests, a potential research project and how these relate to the research of one or more specific professors of the GSBS, who could potentially be your supervisor(s).

Unless your native language is English or you have completed your degree studies at a higher education institution, which has English as its official language of instruction, proof of your English proficiency via one of the following tests is required:

• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency (minimum grade: C)
• IELTS (minimum band: 6.5)
• TOEFL (minimum score: 92 Internet-based points).
  Our TOEFL institutional code is 8971 and our department code is 84.

Alternatively, proof, via your Master’s transcript or an official letter from your higher education institution confirming that you have obtained at least half of the credits required for your Master’s studies in modules taught in English.

No. German language proficiency is not an admission requirement. The GSBS is taught in English.

No. We require two letters of recommendation from professors/lecturers at your institution of study, who are able to comment on your suitability and motivation for participating in the GSBS. The letters of recommendation must be sent separately as PDF files by the referees to the following e-mail address: application.phd@uni-konstanz.de by the application deadline of 15th April.

There are no tuition fees. Doctoral students pay the following contributions per semester:

• Administrative fee: 70 euros
• Student services fee (“Seezeit”): 80 euros
• Student body fee: 14 euros

Total per semester: 164 euros.

Wait until your supporting documents are complete before submitting your application by the application deadline of 15th April.

No. Applications must be received by the application deadline of 15th April.