Overview
Are you looking for a PhD opportunity in Germany that could also give you the chance to conduct research at Harvard University, the University of Michigan, the University of Oxford, or Princeton University? The Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS), run under the Berliner Antike-Kolleg, offers a structured doctoral pathway for students interested in ancient history, archaeology, ancient languages, philosophy, art history, and related disciplines.
Applications are currently open for 2027 doctoral admission to all four BerGSAS programmes in Berlin. The programme normally lasts six semesters (approximately three years), and international students from all countries are eligible to apply.
Description
Are you looking for a PhD opportunity in Germany that could also give you the chance to conduct research at Harvard University, the University of Michigan, the University of Oxford, or Princeton University? The Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS), run under the Berliner Antike-Kolleg, offers a structured doctoral pathway for students interested in ancient history, archaeology, ancient languages, philosophy, art history, and related disciplines.
Applications are currently open for 2027 doctoral admission to all four BerGSAS programmes in Berlin. The programme normally lasts six semesters (approximately three years), and international students from all countries are eligible to apply.
One important point applicants should understand before applying: BerGSAS admission is not automatically a fully funded DAAD scholarship. Applicants generally need to demonstrate how they will finance their doctorate, or show that they have already applied for external doctoral funding such as the DAAD Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP).
Eligibility
To be eligible for BerGSAS PhD admission in 2027, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Academic qualification: a very good Master's degree (or equivalent) in ancient studies or a closely related discipline. The degree title does not have to match the BerGSAS programme name exactly, but there must be a clear academic connection between your previous studies and your proposed doctoral research.
Relevant fields: Archaeology, Egyptology, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Ancient History, Medieval History, Religious Studies, Philosophy, History of Knowledge, Theology, Art History, Classics, Byzantine Studies, Iranian Studies, or a comparable subject.
Research focus: the proposed dissertation must focus substantially on the ancient world and fit one of the four BerGSAS programmes (Ancient Languages and Texts; Ancient Objects and Visual Studies; Ancient Philosophy and History of Science; Landscape Archaeology and Architecture).
Research proposal: a well-developed doctoral project outlining the research question, objectives, methodology, and expected contribution.
Funding requirement: applicants must demonstrate (a) an existing doctoral scholarship, (b) a suitable part-time academic or research position that can finance the doctorate, or (c) evidence that an application for doctoral funding has already been submitted to an external organisation such as DAAD. This requirement is waived only when BerGSAS advertises a specifically funded position.
Nationality: open to applicants of all nationalities.
Language: sufficient command of English and/or German to carry out the doctoral project; programme-specific language requirements (e.g. ancient languages) may apply.
Additional Information
Study At 3 Universities On Berliner Antike Kolleg Daad Phd Scholarships 2027 Harvard Oxford Princeton Or University Of Michigan
Are you looking for a PhD opportunity in Germany that could also give you the chance to conduct research at Harvard University, the University of Michigan, the University of Oxford, or Princeton University? The Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS), run under the Berliner Antike-Kolleg, offers a structured doctoral pathway for students interested in ancient history, archaeology, ancient languages, philosophy, art history, and related disciplines.
Applications are currently open for 2027 doctoral admission to all four BerGSAS programmes in Berlin. The programme normally lasts six semesters (approximately three years), and international students from all countries are eligible to apply.
One important point applicants should understand before applying: BerGSAS admission is not automatically a fully funded DAAD scholarship. Applicants generally need to demonstrate how they will finance their doctorate, or show that they have already applied for external doctoral funding such as the DAAD Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP).
Bergsas Phd 2027 Quick Facts
Host Institution: Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) – Berliner Antike-Kolleg
Country: Germany (Berlin)
Study Level: PhD
Duration: 6 semesters / approximately 3 years
2027 Start Dates: April 2027 or October 2027
April 2027 Intake Deadline: 30 September 2026
October 2027 Intake Deadline: 30 April 2027
Required Degree: Very good Master's degree in ancient studies or a related field
International Students: Eligible
Funding: Not automatically included with regular admission; DAAD-GSSP and other external scholarships are available separately
Partner Universities: Harvard University, University of Michigan, University of Oxford, and Princeton University
What Is The Berlin Graduate School Of Ancient Studies
The Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS) is a structured doctoral school dedicated to research on the ancient world. It brings together researchers and institutions in Berlin, including Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and provides doctoral candidates with an interdisciplinary academic environment, structured supervision, and a shared curriculum of colloquia, workshops, and research training.
The 2027 admission cycle covers four doctoral programmes: Ancient Languages and Texts; Ancient Objects and Visual Studies; Ancient Philosophy and History of Science; and Landscape Archaeology and Architecture. Each programme is designed for candidates whose proposed dissertation makes a substantial contribution to the study of the ancient world.
Can You Study At Harvard Oxford Princeton Or Michigan
One of the most distinctive features of the BerGSAS doctoral programme is its international academic network. Depending on the programme and individual arrangements, doctoral researchers may spend a semester at one of the graduate school's partner universities: Harvard University, the University of Michigan, the University of Oxford, or Princeton University.
This means students admitted to a doctoral programme in Berlin can potentially gain research experience at another internationally recognised university during their PhD. BerGSAS also indicates that financial support may be available for this research mobility.
Is The Bergsas Phd Fully Funded
This is the most important point for prospective applicants. Regular BerGSAS admission for 2027 should not be described as a fully funded DAAD scholarship. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a realistic source of financial support for their doctorate. This can be an existing doctoral scholarship, a suitable part-time academic or research position that can finance the doctorate, or evidence that an application for doctoral funding has already been submitted to an external organisation.
In practice, this allows you to run two processes in parallel: applying for BerGSAS admission and applying for a scholarship at the same time.
What About Daad Gssp Funding
BerGSAS participates in the DAAD Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP). A previous Ancient Languages and Texts call offered two DAAD-GSSP scholarships for October 2026 – September 2030. That scholarship package included a monthly stipend of €1,300, plus benefits such as travel support, health insurance, a research allowance, rent or family allowances where applicable, and support for a German language course.
Applicants should not confuse earlier funded calls with the current 2027 admission opportunity. Previous DAAD-GSSP funding does not mean every 2027 applicant will receive a DAAD scholarship. When BerGSAS specifically advertises funded positions, the requirement to provide or seek separate funding is normally waived for that call. Interested students should monitor the BerGSAS calls page and simultaneously explore DAAD and other external doctoral funding.
How Long Is The Phd
The BerGSAS doctoral programme follows a structured six-semester curriculum, equivalent to approximately three years. Students begin their doctoral research in Berlin while participating in the academic and research activities of their programme. The international mobility component provides an additional opportunity to conduct research and build academic connections outside Germany.
Bergsas Phd 2027 Application Deadlines
There are two entry points for the 2027 admission cycle:
April 2027 intake: apply by 30 September 2026
October 2027 intake: apply by 30 April 2027
Applicants should select the deadline that matches their preferred starting semester. Deadlines for separately advertised DAAD-GSSP funded positions may differ and are announced with each call.
Why Consider This Phd Opportunity
International Research Opportunities: the possibility of a research semester at Harvard, Oxford, Princeton, or the University of Michigan.
Interdisciplinary Environment: BerGSAS brings together archaeology, ancient languages, philosophy, history, art history, and architecture.
PhD in Germany: doctoral research in Berlin, a major European academic and cultural centre, with no tuition fees at the Berlin universities (only a semester contribution).
Multiple Funding Routes: DAAD-GSSP, university positions, external scholarships, and other funding organisations.
Three-Year Structured Programme: a defined six-semester framework for completing the doctorate.
Important Note For International Students
International applicants should carefully distinguish between doctoral admission and scholarship funding. Being admitted to BerGSAS does not mean that your living expenses, travel, insurance, and other costs will automatically be covered by DAAD. A practical approach is to identify the BerGSAS programme that matches your research, prepare a strong doctoral proposal, apply for BerGSAS admission, apply for DAAD or other external funding at the same time, and keep monitoring the BerGSAS calls page for newly announced funded positions. This prevents you from missing either the admission deadline or a scholarship deadline.
Degree Level
Degree Level: PhD (Doctoral Degree)
The Berliner Antike-Kolleg DAAD PhD Scholarships 2027 are offered at the doctoral level through the Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS). Applicants must hold a very good Master's degree (or an equivalent qualification) before beginning the programme.
The doctorate follows a structured six-semester curriculum, equivalent to approximately three years of full-time study, and leads to a PhD awarded by one of the participating Berlin universities (Freie Universität Berlin or Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, depending on the programme and supervisor).
Doctoral candidates are enrolled in one of the four BerGSAS programmes and may also spend a research semester at a partner university (Harvard, Oxford, Princeton, or Michigan) as part of their PhD.
Available Subjects
The 2027 admission cycle covers four BerGSAS doctoral programmes:
Ancient Languages and Texts – philology, textual studies, and the languages of the ancient world
Ancient Objects and Visual Studies – material culture, art history, and visual studies of antiquity
Ancient Philosophy and History of Science – ancient philosophy and the history of scientific knowledge
Landscape Archaeology and Architecture – archaeology, ancient landscapes, and architectural history
Relevant academic backgrounds for applicants include: Archaeology, Egyptology, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Ancient History, Medieval History, Religious Studies, Philosophy, History of Knowledge, Theology, Art History, Classics, Byzantine Studies, and Iranian Studies.
Your previous degree does not have to carry exactly the same title as the BerGSAS programme. What matters is the academic connection between your prior studies and your proposed doctoral research, and the dissertation must focus substantially on the ancient world.
Benefits
Regular BerGSAS admission for 2027 is not automatically funded, but the doctoral route offers the following benefits:
Structured six-semester (approximately three-year) PhD programme in Berlin, Germany
Access to a leading interdisciplinary research community in ancient studies through BerGSAS and the Berliner Antike-Kolleg
Opportunity to spend a research semester at a partner institution: Harvard University, University of Oxford, Princeton University, or the University of Michigan
Possible financial support for research mobility during the doctorate
Supervision within one of BerGSAS's four specialised doctoral programmes
No tuition fees at the Berlin universities (only a semester contribution is payable)
Networking with international scholars, colloquia, workshops, and research training
DAAD-GSSP scholarship benefits (when a funded call is advertised):
Monthly stipend of €1,300 for up to four years (e.g. October 2026 – September 2030 in the previous call)
Travel allowance to and from Germany
Health, accident, and personal liability insurance cover
Annual research allowance
Rent subsidy and family allowances where applicable
Support for a German language course
DAAD-GSSP funding is awarded through separate calls and is not guaranteed for every 2027 applicant. Applicants should apply for DAAD or other external funding in parallel with their BerGSAS admission application.
Eligible Nationalities
The Berliner Antike-Kolleg / BerGSAS PhD 2027 admission route is open to international students of all nationalities , as well as German applicants.
There are no citizenship restrictions. Applicants from any country may apply, provided they meet the academic requirements and the funding requirement described in the Eligibility Criteria.
Please note that DAAD-GSSP scholarships, when advertised, follow the DAAD's own nationality and eligibility rules for each call, so applicants should check the specific funded call before applying.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for BerGSAS PhD admission in 2027, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Academic qualification: a very good Master's degree (or equivalent) in ancient studies or a closely related discipline. The degree title does not have to match the BerGSAS programme name exactly, but there must be a clear academic connection between your previous studies and your proposed doctoral research.
Relevant fields: Archaeology, Egyptology, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Ancient History, Medieval History, Religious Studies, Philosophy, History of Knowledge, Theology, Art History, Classics, Byzantine Studies, Iranian Studies, or a comparable subject.
Research focus: the proposed dissertation must focus substantially on the ancient world and fit one of the four BerGSAS programmes (Ancient Languages and Texts; Ancient Objects and Visual Studies; Ancient Philosophy and History of Science; Landscape Archaeology and Architecture).
Research proposal: a well-developed doctoral project outlining the research question, objectives, methodology, and expected contribution.
Funding requirement: applicants must demonstrate (a) an existing doctoral scholarship, (b) a suitable part-time academic or research position that can finance the doctorate, or (c) evidence that an application for doctoral funding has already been submitted to an external organisation such as DAAD. This requirement is waived only when BerGSAS advertises a specifically funded position.
Nationality: open to applicants of all nationalities.
Language: sufficient command of English and/or German to carry out the doctoral project; programme-specific language requirements (e.g. ancient languages) may apply.
Application Procedure
Applications for BerGSAS PhD admission 2027 are submitted online through the Berliner Antike-Kolleg / BerGSAS website. Follow these steps:
Choose your doctoral programme. Review the four BerGSAS programmes and select the one that best matches your academic background and research interests.
Develop your research project. Prepare a strong doctoral research proposal focused substantially on the ancient world, clearly stating the research problem, objectives, methodology, academic relevance, and expected contribution.
Prepare your academic documents. Collect the documents listed below and check the programme-specific requirements on the official BerGSAS instructions page.
Plan your funding. If you already have doctoral funding, prepare evidence of it. If not, apply for DAAD-GSSP or other external scholarships and keep proof of your funding application, as this is required at the admission stage.
Submit your BerGSAS application online before the deadline for your chosen intake.
Documents required:
Master's degree certificate (and Bachelor's certificate)
Academic transcripts
Academic CV
Research proposal / dissertation project description
Letter of motivation (where required by the programme)
Evidence of academic qualifications and, where applicable, language certificates
Proof of existing funding or evidence of an external funding application
Any other programme-specific documents listed in the official call
Application deadlines:
April 2027 intake: 30 September 2026
October 2027 intake: 30 April 2027
For full details and the online application form, visit the official BerGSAS calls page via the Apply link on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Is the BerGSAS PhD 2027 fully funded? Not automatically. Regular BerGSAS admission requires applicants to show how their doctorate will be financed, or to provide evidence that they have applied for external doctoral funding. Separately advertised funded positions, including DAAD-GSSP scholarships (€1,300 per month plus allowances), may be announced independently.
Can international students apply for BerGSAS? Yes. The programme is open to applicants of all nationalities who meet the academic, research, and funding requirements.
Can BerGSAS students study at Harvard or Oxford? Yes, potentially. BerGSAS partners with Harvard University, the University of Michigan, the University of Oxford, and Princeton University. Doctoral researchers may spend a research semester at a partner institution, subject to the programme and individual arrangements.
What Master's degree is required? A very good Master's degree in ancient studies or a related discipline, such as Archaeology, Egyptology, Ancient History, Classics, Philosophy, Art History, Theology, Byzantine Studies, or Iranian Studies. The proposed dissertation must focus substantially on the ancient world.
What are the application deadlines for the 2027 intakes? For an April 2027 start, apply by 30 September 2026. For an October 2027 start, apply by 30 April 2027.
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Card
Funding
Partial Funding
Organization
Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies (BerGSAS)
Degree
PhD
Subjects
Ancient Philosophy, Art History, Ancient History And Archaeology, Classics Ancient History Egyptology, Theology & Religious Studies
Nationality
International Students
Country
Germany
Deadline
Deadline: 30 Sep 2026
Source
Information provided by scholarships_ads.