Overview

Features

Heidelberg Graduate School for the Humanities and Social Sciences has offered doctoral candidates and visiting scholars from abroad an interdisciplinary core programme that supports them with selected seminars, lectures, workshops and conferences in their own research activities and provides them with a constructive forum for reflecting on their dissertation projects.

Doctoral candidates from 30 different countries and from six large faculties at Heidelberg University actively network in the HGGS. The faculties participating in the HGGS from Field of Focus 3 are: The Faculty of Modern Languages, the Faculty of Philosophy and the Faculty of Theology; from Field of Focus 4: The Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Behavioural and Empirical Cultural Sciences and the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences.

Serving a diverse, international community, the HGGS promotes collaboration through its Peer Mentoring scheme and integrates its members into the international academic network of Heidelberg University, one of Europe's leading research and educational institutions.

Programme Structure

Structure:

The interdisciplinary programme of the HGGS combines a series of lectures, seminars and workshops with annual conferences and schools. Throughout the academic year the HGGS also hosts international guest lecturers.
In addition to the HGGS courses, doctoral candidates of the HGGS may participate in certain seminars and workshops offered to HGGS members by the faculties and institutes at Heidelberg University and count these courses towards their HGGS Certificate.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-10-13 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-15 00:00:00

More details

HGGS Membership & DAAD-GSSP Scholarships: 1 March
HGGS Membership: 15 July

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

90

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Heidelberg, Germany

Disciplines

Sociology Liberal Arts View 6 other PhDs in Sociology in Germany

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

90

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Applicants must hold an M.A. or equivalent with an above-average grade average. The transcript has to indicate at least four years of study at the university level.

Required documents:

Completed cover page
Letter of intention, with a brief description of the qualifications, academic objectives and the research project (max. 2 pages)
CV with information about the academic career, achieved grades, research projects and research experience, publications (if any)
Project description of max. 5 pages in German or English (including research plans and objectives, critical approach, data, methods, theoretical focus)
Timescale for the research project
Transcripts (Bachelor and Master)
Letters of recommendation: one letter (formless) required for HGGS membership; two letters on the DAAD form required for DAAD-GSSP applications
Written supervision agreement by a Professor or PD at Heidelberg University. Information.
Excel sheet with details about your academic career

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items like Additional medical costs, Repatriation, Liability etc. Make sure your student insurance covers your needs.

Studyportals partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Heidelberg University and/or in Germany, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

Free
EU/EEA Applies to you

Applies to you

EU/EEA Nationals

Free

Additional Details

There is no tuition fee but every doctoral candidate must pay a student service fee (161 EUR per semester).

Living costs

Heidelberg

Germany

922 - 1397 EUR / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Loading

Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Heidelberg Graduate School for the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Features

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

EU/EEA Applies to you

Additional Details

Living costs

Heidelberg

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners