How to Apply
Applications are welcome from highly motivated graduates or pending graduates with an outstanding Master’s degree or equivalent, which is relevant to one or more of the following disciplines or specialisations of the Graduate School of the Social and Behavioural Sciences (GSBS):
Disciplines A1. Biology A2. Physics A3. Psychology A4. Statistics B1. Linguistics B2. Sociology C1. Economics C2. Politics and Public Administration | Specialisations D. Collective Behaviour E. Decision Sciences F. Inequality
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The application deadline for admission in October is 15th April.
The online application will be available by 1st February 2024.
Online Application
The following scanned supporting documents must be merged into one single pdf file in the following order and submitted with the online application form. The maximum file size of the supporting documents pdf file is 6 MB.
1. Statement of Purpose
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.
2. Curriculum Vitae
A complete curriculum vitae in reverse chronological order, written in English.
3. Educational Documents
- Original Master’s degree certificate.
- Original transcript for your Master’s degree, showing subjects taken and grades obtained for each term/semester of study.
- Original Bachelor’s degree certificate.
- 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.
4. English Proficiency
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.
5. Title of your Master’s Thesis
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.
6. Applicants from China, Mongolia or Vietnam
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
In addition:
7. Letters of Recommendation
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.
8. Please note:
Successful applicants will be required to submit all original documents or officially certified copies of these upon registration at the University of Konstanz.
Online Application Form
Please fill out the online application form and submit with your supporting documents pdf file.
The online application will be available by 1st February 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are funding opportunities available?
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
I have graduated, but have not yet received my Master’s degree certificate. Can I still apply?
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.
I am in the final year of my Master’s studies and have not yet graduated. Can I apply?
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.
Do I have to find a supervisor before applying?
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.
Do I have to submit a complete research proposal to apply?
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).
Do I have to provide proof of my English language proficiency?
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.
Do I need German language proficiency to apply?
No. German language proficiency is not an admission requirement. The GSBS is taught in English.
I do not have letters of recommendation, can I send work references?
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.
Are there any tuition fees?
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.
Some documents are currently not available for my application. Can I submit my application without them and send the missing documents later?
Wait until your supporting documents are complete before submitting your application by the application deadline of 15th April.
Do you accept late submissions?
No. Applications must be received by the application deadline of 15th April.