Apply before Oct 2026, International This is an estimated deadline. The deadline is applicable to students from outside the European Economic Area who want to study within the EEA, or to students who want to study outside the EEA but are not nationals of that country.

Starting September 2027

• Apply before Jun 2027

If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round, but if you wish to start in September, you should apply by 1 June.

Language

English

Delivered

On Campus, Online

Campus Location

Birmingham, United Kingdom

Disciplines

German and Scandinavian studies

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Overview

Enjoy a full programme of research training. With an extensive range of specialisms and the dedicated research Institute for German and European Studies, the German Studies doctorate offered by the University of Birmingham will support you to contribute original research to the field of German Studies.

Careers Support

At Birmingham, they prepare the researchers to make an impact across every sector of society. The PhD graduates are global change-makers: advancing knowledge, shaping policy, leading industries, and educating future generations.

You'll benefit from dedicated careers support tailored to your unique paths. The expert team of Careers Advisers, including a dedicated postgraduate research adviser, offer one-to-one guidance to help researchers navigate career decisions both within and beyond academia.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.

They also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Get more details

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Programme Structure

Research themes

• The programme explores how the study of languages, discourses, and cultures challenges our understanding and experience of the world.

Check out the full curriculum

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Admission requirements

Academic requirements

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

English requirements

TOEFL iBT: 88 (or 4.5 on the new TOEFL iBT 1-6 score, CEFR-aligned; equivalent to the 0-120 score). TOEFL iBT is accepted by more than 13,000 universities and other institutions in over 160 countries. The test can be taken at a test center or at home. The test measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The score refers to the total score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading), each subject has a range of 0 - 30.

PTE Academic: 67. PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) is a language test that enables students to demonstrate their writing, listening, speaking, and reading skills when applying to study in English. The score refers to a total score which ranges between 10 and 90.

IELTS: 6.5. The International English Language Test System (IELTS) tests your English-language proficiency on a scale of 1 – 9. The score refers to the combined average score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading).

Other requirements

General requirements

• Applicants for a PhD will also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent), usually in a relevant area.
• Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience you may have are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements.

Make sure you meet all requirements

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Fees and funding

Tuition Fees

International: 44,021 AUD / year (≈ 23,390 GBP / year)

Domestic: 9,858 AUD / year (≈ 5,238 GBP / year)

Additional Details

• UK: £2,619 part-time
• International: £11,695 part-time

Living costs

Birmingham, United Kingdom

1,440-2,134 AUD / month

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