Courses are held in German and English. Students may write their doctoral dissertation in either language.
Start dates:
Please refer to our academic calendar for further information.
The Graduate School Practices of Literature (GSPoL) promotes a new understanding of literary/cultural studies as a discipline that is shaped by current developments in the philosophy of science and critical "turns" in the humanities and social sciences. These perspectives in literary/cultural studies involve a redefinition of its social and cultural impact and significance. Accordingly, we pay close attention to the relationship between literature and society, aiming to enhance their interaction for their mutual benefit.
In view of these considerations, priority is given to three interconnected research areas:
The curriculum, which is usually completed in three semesters, includes the following components:
In addition, this PhD programme includes:
In total, this doctoral degree is worth 180 ECTS credits:
Students are encouraged to do internships that enable them to apply their academic knowledge and critical thinking skills in various work environments.
Students must pay a semester contribution fee of 317.48 EUR per semester. This includes a "semester ticket" covering public transportation in the greater Münster area and throughout Germany.
You can find more information here:
https://www.uni-muenster.de/studieninteressierte/en/einschreibung/semesterbeitrag.shtml
We recommend that students budget at least 900 EUR per month to cover personal expenses (accommodation, living expenses, health insurance).
The GSPoL was selected for the DAAD Graduate School Scholarship programme, and it offers two three-year PhD scholarships for international doctoral researchers starting in the winter semester 2025/2026 (application deadline: 30 November of the previous year). Please refer to our website for further information.
In addition, the Rectorate, Safir, and the Equal Opportunities Office offer funding for PhD students and postdocs.
Admission is contingent on previous academic performance (usually a Master's degree in literary studies with an above-average GPA), the quality of the research proposal, and foreign language skills. Application documents include a degree certificate, proof of language skills, a curriculum vitae, an abstract and project proposal, a letter of motivation, and two letters of recommendation (applicants with a Bachelor’s degree are required to submit three reference letters). The applicant's academic potential and language skills are further assessed in an interview with the admissions committee.
Please refer to our website for further information on the application process.
Applicants should be able to understand written and spoken German and English and to actively speak at least one of these languages. Accordingly, German and English language skills are required (level C1 in one language and level B1 in the other language at the time of admission; by the end of the programme, students must have moved from B1 to B2). Further subject-specific language skills may be acquired during the PhD programme. Please consult our website or contact the GSPoL coordinator for further information.
Graduate School Practices of Literature
c/o Germanistisches Institut
Schlossplatz 34
48143 Münster
Germany
Please e-mail all required documents as a single PDF file to koordinationsbuero.gspol@uni-muenster.de.
As in all popular university cities in Germany, accommodation is in high demand and is not easy to find in Münster – but it’s not impossible either!
Please contact the International Office (Bachelor's and Master's students) or the CERes (doctoral candidates) of the university for advice. Please also note that the University of Münster (like most German public universities) does not have its own student halls of residence.
The Münster Centre for Emerging Researchers (CERes) and the Career Service at the University of Münster offer career counselling as well as professional and transferable skills training.
The Graduate School Practices of Literature is a member of the smartNETWORK International, which promotes the internationalisation of doctoral studies in Münster. Further support is provided by the Münster Centre for Emerging Researchers (CERes), which gives advice on visa requirements and housing options and offers a wide range of soft and academic skills courses in German and English. In addition, the CERes organises social and cultural events for international PhD students at the University of Münster.
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