Essentials
Doctoral projects should cover research areas described in the profile.
It is possible to participate in the program via any of the participating universities. Prospective doctoral students have to enroll at the university where their primary supervisor is based. We recommend that applicants contact the program coordinator before submitting their applications.
Applicants must hold an excellent Master’s level degree in European Ethnology, Cultural or Social anthropology, or a related area awarded by an accredited institution of higher education. In Munich, the International Office of LMU is responsible for evaluating foreign degrees.
Before applying, applicants must contact a potential supervisor at one of the participating universities (members of the academic board) and agree on the supervision.
Language
Due to its international character, English is the official language of the program. The workshops and schools are conducted in English, but there are also some German-language events and seminars at LMU, the University of Basel and the University of Graz. International students in attendance receive support from a German-speaking peer if necessary.
Applicants have to provide certificates attesting to their language skills. Their knowledge of English has to correspond to Level C1/advanced (CEF). Students have the opportunity to attend classes at the LMU Language Center. Some of the English classes are offered before the starting date of the doctoral program. An organization called ‘Deutschkurse bei der Universität München e.V.’ offers German classes.
The LMU’s International Office is responsible for evaluating language qualifications.
Application Procedure
Before applying, applicants must contact a potential supervisor at one of the participating universities (members of the academic board) and agree on the supervision.
Candidates have to submit their applications through an online platform provided by the GraduateCenterLMU. The application consists of the following documents:
- A cover letter describing their education and academic background and how their research interests relate to the research areas of the doctoral program
- A detailed CV
- A research proposal outlining their doctoral project, including information on research questions and the theoretical and methodological approaches to be used; a survey of the current state of literature and research in their chosen area; and a timetable for completion (not more than five pages in total)
- Degree transcripts, evidence of internships and time spent studying abroad
- Evidence of foreign language skills (e.g., TOEFL)
- One reference written by an academic teacher
The documents have to be submitted in English. A panel of academics participating in the program reviews the applications and invites a selection of applicants for interviews. In the interview, applicants will be asked to present their projects, and the panel members will discuss any open questions with them.
Follow this link for the online application tool of the GraduateCenterLMU:
https://www.portal.graduatecenter.uni-muenchen.de/ocgc/transformations.
Note
Due to administrative changes, we would like to inform you that the next application period will not open again until June 2027.
Advising
Each doctoral student enters an advising agreement with his or her two main supervisors. The agreement contains detailed provisions on what students should achieve and what they can expect from their supervisors. Moreover, it lists the members of a committee formed to support the student. This committee will provide advice on career development and any other questions raised by the student. Finally, the agreement also contains dates for regular meetings with other mentors providing feedback. These meetings are meant to support the student and prevent problems.
Under a procedure called “Cotutelle,” doctoral students can be co-advised by academics based at foreign institutions participating in the program. The department at the University of Basel and the department at Munich (LMU) have had very positive experience with such binational degrees of this type.
The coordination and recognition of the diverse institutions and disciplines represented in the program is not without challenge, but the varied perspectives and approaches benefit everyone involved and result in more nuanced and valuable research. It serves to secure the quality of both advising relationships and the doctoral projects.
As part of the program, doctoral students are constantly meeting other scholars, both from the host country and other countries. The colloquia and schools aim to involve local scholars from universities and other institutions. Students meet both practitioners with academic credentials and scholars with different levels of experience. This network is invaluable because students thereby get to know a range of standpoints and career paths and enhance their career prospects by making international and interdisciplinary contacts.