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A doctorate usually means that an individual is qualified to teach at a college level or to work in a specific field of work. There are two major types of doctoral degrees; a research-oriented degree, and a professional doctoral degree. Doctoral degrees are sometimes referred to as terminal degrees, which means that a final degree is available in a graduate school for students who wish it.

About the Degree

The PhD Program with concentration on Cultural Diplomacy & International Relations is offered by the University of Bucharest in partnership with the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy. The PhD Program is a three year program (6 semesters). Upon completion, students will receive the following degree: PhD in History/ Sociology/Political Science, with specialization certificate on Cultural Diplomacy & International Relations

Professional Development Program »

Program Concept

In our increasingly globalized world, knowledge and understanding of bilateral and multilateral relations now holds greater importance than at any time before. As a result, international cooperation and diplomacy are now imperative in maintaining and improving the economic, political and social environment in countries worldwide. The processes of international relations pervade almost all areas of human activity, and the issues that foreign policy makers address at the highest level increasingly affect the ordinary lives of people around the world. Nation states are no longer capable of resolving many of the most significant issues single-handedly, whether they be international terrorism, global (and often national) financial crises, or climate change. Moreover, the emergence of asymmetrical security threats and the international convergence of social, political and economic relations have underlined the need for a renewed focus on diplomatic relations and soft power, of which cultural diplomacy is a crucial component.

These developments have heightened interest in the study of International Relations and Cultural Diplomacy and, concurrently, have created a need for professionals who understand those subjects. University programs striving to provide students and young leaders with the fundamental understanding and practical skills necessary for careers in international affairs have had to adjust their programs accordingly to include commerce, development and culture as topics of study, as well as including multinational and supranational organizations as additional core subjects. Expertise in one field no longer guarantees professional success, and it is therefore vital that those aspiring to work in international relations and diplomacy have an advanced understanding of a number of relevant disciplines, including, but not limited to, international politics, international economics, diplomacy, culture, philosophy and history.

Operating under a joint partnership, Bucharest University and the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy are the first institutions to offer a PhD program that will educate students from around the world in several academic disciplines related to International Relations and Cultural Diplomacy.

Structure and Organization of the Program

The Doctoral courses represent the third cycle of studies offered (and awarded) by the University of Bucharest in partnership with the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy, with the purpose being to expand knowledge through original scientific research. Students will acquire a level 8 qualification according to both the European and National Qualification Frameworks.
It consists mainly of research conducted under the direct supervision of a Ph.D. supervisor.

The duration of the program is three years; the first year  is composed of courses offered on Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin. In addition, students are welcome to undertake a professional development program. At the end of the first academic year, students will then be required to present the first research report on their specific chosen topic, allowing the commission of professors and, in particular, the student’s individual supervisor to guide them in the development of their final thesis.

During the second and third years of the Ph.D program students are not obliged to reside in the doctoral school, but are required to stay in close and direct contact with the doctoral supervisor. A working schedule is established between the student and the PhD supervisor and will include at least two periods where the student must be present at the University of Bucharest each academic year.  When in Bucharest, further to meetings with the PhD supervisors and continuing work on the thesis, the PhD students will also interact with other doctoral students and members of the teaching staff with whom they share academic interests, whilst also participating in the activities of the doctoral school of the University.

During the second year, progress reports are to be submitted according to a time schedule, and a format established by the supervisor and the student in compliance with the requirements of each doctoral school. 
Also within the second, and then the third year of the program, according to the rules of the doctoral school where they are enrolled, students will submit 2-3 research reports which they will be required to present to a committee according to a schedule agreed with the PhD supervisor.

During the second semester of the third year, students are required to complete the thesis. Once the thesis has obtained the approval of both the guiding commission and individual supervisor, it will then be submitted for public defense. This will take place 2-3 months after the thesis has received the approval of the PhD supervisor, and represents the final step of the program.

The final step of the Program is the public defense of the Thesis.

Key Objectives of the Program

The Key Objectives of the program are:

• To provide students with an in depth understanding of the theory and practice of international relations within the contemporary interdependent world, placing a particular emphasis on cultural diplomacy within this framework
• To educate students about cultural diplomacy within the context of the political, economic and cultural pillars upon which sustainable international relations are based.
• To analyze soft power and hard power strategies within international relations discourse.
• To examine contemporary obstacles to peaceful international relations, using historical and modern case studies, while considering also how cultural diplomacy can be used to mitigate tension and conflict within the international community.
• To equip students with the relevant skill sets and knowledge required to embark on a career within the highly competitive international arena.
• To provoke individual thought and reflection on contemporary issues within the rapidly developing field of cultural diplomacy.

Benefits of the Program

The main benefits of the program are:

• The program offers students a core curriculum of International Relations, which will prepare them for a vast array of career opportunities worldwide.
• Students will have access to an expert faculty with experience in international politics and diplomacy, and will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to work in a complex global environment.
• Students will obtain expertise in cultural diplomacy, as a rapidly increasing and important field relevant to the public and private sectors and civil society.
• Graduates will discover that the curriculum and faculty prepare them for evolving careers in academia and all public and private international sectors.
• Access to all ICD events and programs around the world, providing students with access to prominent experts in the field including various Heads of State, Ministers, and CEOs.

International Relations Careers

International Relations graduates usually work with governments, private or public institutions, NGOs, the UN (United Nations), the EU (European Union) or similar unions or intergovernmental organisations. Some of the most popular job titles for International Relations graduates are: diplomat, foreign affairs analyst, immigration specialist, international lawyer, political analyst, intelligence analyst, international aid worker, etc.

Course Organisation

PhD studies at GraSP include collective courses and activities which provide students with the opportunity to build professional contacts, special courses dealing with specific questions regarding research topics, and individual courses which are intended to improve students’ academic skills.
Students at GraSP are advised by a team of up to three professors. Examinations and dissertation progress evaluations take place every semester and help the students to complete their PhD efficiently.Course-specific, integrated German language coursesNoCourse-specific, integrated English language coursesNo

Tuition fees per semester in EUR None Semester contribution Social contribution fee of 299.34 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport for the greater Münster area and the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Academic Admission Requirements

Acceptance into GraSP requires a successfully completed first degree in political science or in a related discipline. To be admitted to the doctoral study programme, applicants must hold a Magister, Master’s, diploma or state exam certificate with an overall grade of “good” in accordance with the study regulations.
Applicants with a Master’s degree from a foreign university should inform themselves about recognition of the degree in the Anabin database of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the German Federal States. Approved universities are marked with H+.

Furthermore, acceptance into a GraSP research group is required. Applicants should obtain information about the area of focus of the research groups and apply with an exposé for a doctoral project at one of these groups. The exposé should be around 10-15 pages in length, should show the main focus, explain its relevance, generate a hypothesis, briefly outline the state of research, discuss the method and contain a rough structure and a time schedule for the thesis.Language requirements

All applicants who are not native English or German speakers are required to submit proof of their English or German proficiency.Application deadline

There is no application deadline.Submit application to

Graduate School of Politics
Dr Matthias Freise
Scharnhorststr. 100
48151 Münster
Germany

PhD International Relations and Diplomacy

The International Relations and Diplomacy curriculum has a multi-disciplinary scope. Required courses cover the disciplines of international relations, political science, economics, international law, international organizations, and diplomacy. The choice of electives is made in accordance with the domain in which the candidate wishes to pursue his or her research.

Masters in International Relations

Master’s degrees in International Relations teach students about political principles, foreign affairs, and the relations between countries. Top universities offer International Relations courses exploring themes like government and the state, political behaviour, and local or international economic issues.

You should study a Master’s in International Relations if you consider that the current socio-economic problems around the world can only be fixed through the direct involvement and cooperation of governments and private and public organisations. International Relations is the ideal discipline if you want to create a better community and society for future generations. It also allows you to prove that we have all the tools and resources necessary to address fundamental issues like hunger, lack of shelter, healthcare, education, etc.

International Relations Specialisations

Most International Relations courses are offered either as M.A. (Master of Arts) or M.Sc. (Master of Science) degrees. It normally takes 2 years to graduate. While studying International Relations, you can focus on specialisations like Comparative Foreign Policy, Conflict and Peace-Making, Environmental Policy, Human Rights, Migration and Refugees, International Security, and others.

International Relations Courses and Skills

The courses you’ll take during a graduate degree in International Relations vary from one university and programme to another. However, you can expect to take classes in Contemporary Politics, Complex Emergencies and Global Governance, Terrorism, Conflict Resolution, Negotiation and Mediation, Globalisation, Political Psychology, etc.

These International Relations classes help students develop a wide range of industry-specific and soft skills. They range from communication, cross-cultural management, and negotiation to analysis, problem-solving, teamwork, and project management.

All these essential skills allow International Relations graduates to better understand the social, economic, and structural complexities of our societies. Using their knowledge, they are able to identify patterns, come up with ideas and plans, and support causes through the adoption of public policies and the organisation of projects in collaboration with private and/or public institutions.

PHD in International Relations and Diplomacy

Starting your doctoral studies in Germany is the best way to add value to your career and persona. No doubts that by choosing Germany, you decide on a superior career and prosperous future, knowing the status of  Germany – distinguished as one of the world’s leading research lands. The paramount learning and research atmosphere provided through the support and strong dedication of the qualified staff of universities, non-university research institutions and industry, united with the advanced study and research infrastructure pulsated through diverse thrilling research projects are the attests making Germany much desirable place for many internationals seeking to pursue their dream doctorate.

The country is distinguished also for the significance given to the research training or practical education, enabled through the encouraged cooperation of academia with research institutes and industry.

Another attracting feature of Germany as a hosting education country is his large focus on international students, especially in doctoral level – a fact supported by the figures showing that one in seven doctoral students in Germany is of a foreign nationality. This is supported also by the fact that many doctoral programmes in Germany are taught in English. The list of advantages that Germany has as a country increases by the fact that there are no study tuition fees applied. Another attracting element about being a doctoral candidate in Germany is a great career prospect during and after completing studies, being aware about the great linkage between the academia and industry.

When we think in terms of university application requirements of doctoral studies, we must never ignore the reality that this sometimes can be a dreadful process requiring time, energy, overflowing documents and over. But yet, the article will be explaining all the steps of your successful application, giving the best of reliable information and sources.

Answering your possible questions about what are the requirements of an alien to get enrolled in doctoral studies in Germany we will give the best of how and when for your easiness and successful enrollment.

The University Requirements

In spite of your interest to pursue doctoral studies in Germany, there are several pre-conditions you are required to meet for becoming an eligible doctoral applicant. On the other hand, if properly meeting such conditions and entering doctoral studies – upon the completion of such studies, you get awarded with a PhD Degree that is internationally recognized.

An important initial pace to a successful application for university admission, or for applying to benefit from different funding opportunities – is proving you have found a German professor (supervisor, mentor) who is ready to supervise your research and thesis work during studies. Hundreds are the higher the education institutions and research institutes where you might address your inquiry for becoming a doctoral student. Despite the universal criteria applied to individuals in quest of entering doctoral studies, each university has the autonomy to also have university-specific regulations in this regard. Even that these regulations somewhat are not very different across universities; they might typically differ as regards of study and dissertation language.

Applying to university, typically is a step that is done once you have chosen your study programme and found a supervisor  of your doctoral studies.

University requirements are slightly similar, thus a generalized list of requirements or conditions will be introduced below. If these requirements are met properly, you will be invited to attend the interview – a time for you to influence the university decision on awarding you as a doctoral candidate.

Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vita is a document presenting in short – one or two pages, all your educational and work history. This document must be concise, précised with dates, names of the institutions, titles awarded with and other specific details on your past educational activity and work experience (if any), supported with proofing certificates and other documents. Europass is the most common form of CV accepted by universities.

Doctoral thesis outline

Your doctoral dissertation is amongst main significant document of your university application and your studies. When applying to the university you need to make sure properly present the outline of what your dissertation or doctoral thesis will cover.

For that reason, the university will require from you to submit an outline of such a thesis, briefly explaining your research work. The questions that this document must cover: Your intensions of research and study, explaining the scope and research questions; Your proposed methodology of research and study; The reason why you chose the topic, clarifying the impact that study; The timeline set for completion of research actions and of the whole dissertation paper.

Credits Equivalency

Generally speaking, you and everyone inquiring to enter higher education studies – i.e. the doctoral studies in Germany, involve holding University Entrance Qualification as a proof of the equivalence of your earlier education in relationship to the German education system. The acknowledged degree for entering doctoral studies in Germany is a Master’s Degree – taken by completing at least eight semesters of your Master studies. Master’s Degree is a second level higher education qualification and the same time is the key mandatory requirement to enter doctoral studies there. In addition, once receiving a Master’s Degree, you can choose to either move in a professional career in Germany or start your next academic qualification, which are Doctoral Degree studies. Along with Master’s Degree, in some cases, a three-year Bachelor’s Degree is taken into consideration also appropriate for entering doctoral studies in Germany.

As a foreigner who has not finished Master studies in a German university, you need to make sure if your education qualifies you as an eligible doctoral studies applicant. Hence, you will be called to follow the recognition procedure, which goes in accordance with the Lisbon Recognition Convention. Recognition process should start by searching for your education equivalence to German education grades in the resourceful official database “Anabin”. In Anabin you are about to encounter if your education – based on the country where you have been awarded with the degree, is recognized in Germany and if you need to undergo special examinations for making your education recognized. Another online source to search for the diploma equivalence is DAAD’s online database.

The university also is the address for concluding if Master Diploma credits of yours are recognized or equivalent to German qualification. For this, you have to send the chosen university International Office, all the needed certificates such as diploma, credits, transcripts and certificates. Afterwards, the International Office – once checking your documents will inform if your education is recognized and if you need to undergo any special examination for making your education recognized.

Then again, being a foreigner who holds a Master’s Degree from a German university in Germany, or a German University abroad, your diploma will be automatically recognized same as those of German citizens.

German and English proficiency

Typically, German language is not a must for entering doctoral studies in Germany. In particular, structured forms of studies give the opportunity for candidates to finish their doctorate and their dissertation in the English language. There are some universities, however, that require knowledge of the German language.

German language proficiency

If you will need to prove your German language proficiency, a requirement that can be set by the university amongst other requirements for applying in doctoral studies, you must hold a certificate proving you have successfully finished one of the following examinations:

• German Language University Entrance Examination for International Applicants (DSH),
• Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF),
• Goethe Institut German Language Diploma (GDS),
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, Level II (DSD).

English Language proficiency

If your selected university for doctoral studies offers a study program and dissertation that is in English, then, likewise you will need to prove possessing the necessary English proficiency for entering such studies. The accepted forms to prove such proficiency are holding a certificate with needed scores of one of the follow:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or
• The International English Language Testing system (IELTS).

GRE or GMAT

Some universities might also require from the doctoral applicants to prove passing the GRE or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) with specific scores.

Motivation Letter

Motivation letter is a personal document of yours, stating which are your main accomplishments and future objectives, career plans and motives why you come to choose applying for the specific doctoral programme, and how your further studies can relate to your past education. Motivation letter must not exceed 500 characters.

Recommendation Letter

Professors or faculty of your earlier education must provide you with at least two letters of recommendations, as a proof of your potential to enroll in specific doctoral studies.

Towards A Successful University Application

As brought in our article series “How do I become an eligible foreign PhD Candidate in Germany?”, the individual doctorate is a study form where you have a lot more independence as regards of choosing the topic of your doctoral thesis as well as a lot more freedom as regards of the schedule of doctoral activities.

Deciding on your preferred study field – the first pace

The first thing you do when deciding to do doctoral studies in Germany, is finding your preferred study field and your supervisor or team supervisors for your doctoral research and thesis.  This is not a very hard thing to do, since you have different online databases which might help you in that regard. Despite the fact that there is no single doctoral programmes database for Germany, yet the best channels to search for your preferred program are Research Explorer and PhD Germany where different opening calls for doctoral applicants are available. Anyhow, you can also use other forms of search such as Google, Facebook and students’ platforms.

Due  the large volume of doctoral studies offers from universities and institutes in Germany, we suggest you to narrow your choices by selecting a program that suitably answers your questions such as: Does this programme fit my so-far qualification? Is this my dream doctorate? Can I be able to meet all the programme requirements? Can I meet the deadlines of application?  Will I have language proficiency needed? Will I be able to find a supervisor  for my doctoral dissertation? Answering such questions to yourself is the best way to early enough understand which are  the likelihoods of yours to enter doctoral studies and to complete them rewardingly.

Choosing the study form – the second pace

As already understood, there are different paths to gain a PhD or Doctoral Degree in Germany, and at this stage you have to choose amongst independent form or traditional form for pursuing your doctoral studies.

Individual doctorate

The individual doctorate is a form where you as a doctoral candidate have all the independence ever wanted. You are free to choose a thesis topic as well as finding supervisor of your thesis work. Also named “Master-Apprentice-Model”- the individual doctorate enables independence of you as regards of schedule your doctoral research time and activities. This is the most common form of doctoral studies in Germany, allowing candidates to get involved in a job in the university as “research associate” – typically, or industry meantime.

As pointed out, taking the individual form of studies, also known as “traditional form” you have to take care yourself on finding your thesis topic and planning/running research activity supervisor (Doktorvater/Doktormutter). Letter of Acceptance confirming your supervisor has accepted to mentor your studies will be needed at the time you apply for university admission and/or enrollment.

To find the right supervisor is not an easy task, but assuredly, if you concentrate your energy, will and time to do the needed research and contact, the award after it is totally worth it. Your searching should start at the university or non-university research institutions, research centers where you can find many supervisors who are entitled to award doctorates. Use the same databases as for searching doctoral programmes to search for and find contacts of potential supervisors (professor or researcher) of your doctoral studies. Also, an additional resource in this regard can be The Higher Education Compass of the German Rector’s Conference.

The minute you choose a supervisor/s and find their contacts, the common way to initiate contact via the email. The communication must be very structured, topic-focused and formal. Moreover, since many potential doctoral candidates lack communicating properly, we suggest you take care on the following matters:

• Compose an email that it has all the elements and attention of a formal writing with no grammatical errors,
• Before writing the email, consider identifying past-work of your supervisor and refer to one of them that relates most to your chosen topic of your thesis,
• Make sure your email is personalized; sending the same inviting email to many professors it is not the right way to go,
• Create a very powerful and informative email subject,
• Avoid using jargons when addressing your email, i.e. instead of Hi or Hello use Dear and as an alternative of Professor’s First name use Mr. /Ms. /Professor and Last name. Also generic letters, such as Dear Sir/Madam have less possibility to be considered, rather than personalized emails,
• The first paragraph of your email must explain the reason for contacting in specific, stating the area of your research,
• Explain in one or two paragraphs how you are planning to develop your research and ask for a professor’s alternative opinion,
• Attach your CV in which your education, skills, talents and work experience are exposed.

As soon as you find a doctoral study supervisor and got his/her approval in a written form, you must also assure the admission as a doctoral candidate by the respective department and/or examiners’s board.

If awarded as a doctoral candidate you also gain the opportunity to require employment within the university as a “research associate”- a part time job typically related to the teaching, research, administrative tasks.