Information for Applicants

You may apply to BIGSAS if you hold a Master’s or equivalent degree in the Humanities with a very good result and if you plan a PhD project on Africa that relates to one of the academic disciplines covered by our Senior Fellows and to one of the four BIGSAS Research Areas. Applications are accepted biannually. The working language is English. German or French language skills are welcome, but not a precondition for admission.  

The selection procedure is a competitive process which is organised in four major steps:

  1. Formal check of complete dossiers

  2. Evaluation of proposed projects by the respective experts

  3. Personal interview with invited candidates

  4. Final decision and admission

The Academic Committee makes its decisions based on the availability of a supervisor, the quality of the project proposal and the candidate's academic and personal qualifications (read more about the PhD programme).
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  • Application - The most important facts about applying to BIGSAS and link to the application platform
  • PhD Programme - Find out more about the PhD Programme of BIGSAS
  • Research Areas - What are the Research Areas? In which Research Area does my topic fit?
  • Funding - Which kind of fundings does BIGSAS offer?
  • Organisation - Academic Committee, Deans and Vice Deans, Advisory Board, Management Board and Adminsitration Office
  • FAQs - Read the Frequently Asked Questions about admission to BIGSAS