Admitted students
How to get here | Proof of eligibility | Enrolment | Start of the Programme | Health Care | Language Courses | Sports Programme
After being accepted to BTS, you will undoubtedly have many questions about studying and living in Berlin. We will try to answer the most basic ones here.
We recommend that you make an appointment to speak with a BTS programme coordinator after you have been accepted. The coordinator will be able to provide all necessary information on the programme and registration procedure, including the final proof of eligibility and your enrolment. The coordinator will also assist you in planning the next steps toward moving to Berlin.
Coordination Office – contact
Additionally, we recommend that you peruse the Dahlem Research School's extensive guide for new (particularly international) doctoral students, which includes helpful information for getting settled in Berlin.
DRS student guide
We recommend that you make an appointment to speak with a BTS programme coordinator after you have been accepted. The coordinator will be able to provide all necessary information on the programme and registration procedure, including the final proof of eligibility and your enrolment. The coordinator will also assist you in planning the next steps toward moving to Berlin.
Coordination Office – contact
Additionally, we recommend that you peruse the Dahlem Research School's extensive guide for new (particularly international) doctoral students, which includes helpful information for getting settled in Berlin.
DRS student guide
Proof of eligibility
Proving your eligibility and enrolling at BTS is organised as a two-step process. First, we need to check whether you have met all required conditions to start a PhD at BTS and confirm the legitimacy of the documents which were submitted electronically during the application process. This includes the following documents:
These documents must be brought to Daphne Stelter at the Postgraduate Admission Office (Prüfungsbüro) at the Department of Political and Social Science at Freie Universität Berlin (FUB). If you are not able to hand in the documents personally, you can post certified copies.
The BTS programme coordinators will submit the following documents on your behalf:
Proving your eligibility and enrolling at BTS is organised as a two-step process. First, we need to check whether you have met all required conditions to start a PhD at BTS and confirm the legitimacy of the documents which were submitted electronically during the application process. This includes the following documents:
- Application form
- Master’s degree diploma – original (if you have not yet acquired your master’s degree diploma, a letter from your university confirming that you have completed the degree programme is sufficient. The diploma should then be produced no later than 1 September.)
- Proof of English language proficiency (for non-native speakers and candidates whose master’s degree programmes were not taught in English)
These documents must be brought to Daphne Stelter at the Postgraduate Admission Office (Prüfungsbüro) at the Department of Political and Social Science at Freie Universität Berlin (FUB). If you are not able to hand in the documents personally, you can post certified copies.
The BTS programme coordinators will submit the following documents on your behalf:
- Your CV (taken form your application)
- Your research proposal (taken from your application)
- Letter from your supervisor supporting your application and confirming your acceptance to the BTS programme
Enrolment
After having handed in your documents to the Postgraduate Admission Office, the PhD Committee at the Department of Political and Social Science will review your file and approve you for admission. Within three to five weeks from the time all documents are submitted you will receive an offer letter from the Postgraduate Admission Office proving your eligibility to enrol as a PhD candidate at FUB.
Within the following 30 days you will have to visit the Office of the Registrar at FUB in order to officially enrol as PhD candidate. If you are not able to do so until after your offer letter has expired, contact the BTS coordinator. For enrolment you need to bring in the following:
For further information please see the enrolment application form (PDF).
After enrolment you will receive your student ID, which provides you with many benefits on campus and in Berlin (ticket for public transport, cafeteria card, access to college sports, etc.).
After having handed in your documents to the Postgraduate Admission Office, the PhD Committee at the Department of Political and Social Science will review your file and approve you for admission. Within three to five weeks from the time all documents are submitted you will receive an offer letter from the Postgraduate Admission Office proving your eligibility to enrol as a PhD candidate at FUB.
Within the following 30 days you will have to visit the Office of the Registrar at FUB in order to officially enrol as PhD candidate. If you are not able to do so until after your offer letter has expired, contact the BTS coordinator. For enrolment you need to bring in the following:
- Offer letter from the Postgraduate Admission Office
- Completed enrolment application (included with your offer letter; link below)
- Proof of health insurance
- Original and photocopy of ID card or passport (including your visa)
- Withdrawal certificate from the last (German) university (if applicable)
- Original documents:
Master’s degree diploma or letter from your university (the master’s degree must be completed by 1 September at the latest)
Proof of proficiency in English language (C1 level) - €250 enrolment fee (payable either in cash or by German cash card)
For further information please see the enrolment application form (PDF).
After enrolment you will receive your student ID, which provides you with many benefits on campus and in Berlin (ticket for public transport, cafeteria card, access to college sports, etc.).
Start of the Programme
At the beginning of the academic year, we organise information days for all incoming PhD candidates. During this event, we introduce the BTS institutions (FUB, HSoG, and WZB), organise guided library tours, and have fun get-togethers in the evenings. There will be plenty of time to socialise and learn more about the programme.
We also arrange mentors from further along in the programme for all incoming candidates. They will be present at the information days and available via email prior to the programme to answer any of your queries about being a PhD candidate at BTS.
The Dahlem Research School also offers an Orientation Week at the start of the term. In the mornings, language classes are offered for beginners in German, while a varied programme of lectures on intercultural communication, German academic culture, and excursions takes place during the afternoons.
At the beginning of the academic year, we organise information days for all incoming PhD candidates. During this event, we introduce the BTS institutions (FUB, HSoG, and WZB), organise guided library tours, and have fun get-togethers in the evenings. There will be plenty of time to socialise and learn more about the programme.
We also arrange mentors from further along in the programme for all incoming candidates. They will be present at the information days and available via email prior to the programme to answer any of your queries about being a PhD candidate at BTS.
The Dahlem Research School also offers an Orientation Week at the start of the term. In the mornings, language classes are offered for beginners in German, while a varied programme of lectures on intercultural communication, German academic culture, and excursions takes place during the afternoons.
Health Care
In Germany, every student studying at a state-recognised institution of higher education is legally required to have health insurance. The statutory health insurance requirement is valid until the age of 30 or until completion of the 14th full semester of study.
As an international student under 30, you must acquire German health insurance unless you hold a European Health Insurance Card, which students from EU/EEA countries can obtain in their home countries. Please note that the European Health Insurance Card covers medical emergencies; however, it does not provide for regular consultations. Therefore, we recommend that all candidates register for German health insurance.
To register for German health insurance you have two different options: either state or private.
To register for state health insurance you must have been covered by a state health insurance policy in your country of origin for at least 12 months. This has to be proven to the German state health insurance board. A modality has to be clarified in the specific case and with the specific statutory health insurance.
A comprehensive guide to health insurance for international students in Germany in 10 languages can be found here. A comparison of benefits and a survey of private health insurances in Germany can be found here. (Only available in German)
For further information on the German health insurance system in English please see this page. Some further information is also available on the homepage of the Hertie School of Governance.
In Germany, every student studying at a state-recognised institution of higher education is legally required to have health insurance. The statutory health insurance requirement is valid until the age of 30 or until completion of the 14th full semester of study.
As an international student under 30, you must acquire German health insurance unless you hold a European Health Insurance Card, which students from EU/EEA countries can obtain in their home countries. Please note that the European Health Insurance Card covers medical emergencies; however, it does not provide for regular consultations. Therefore, we recommend that all candidates register for German health insurance.
To register for German health insurance you have two different options: either state or private.
To register for state health insurance you must have been covered by a state health insurance policy in your country of origin for at least 12 months. This has to be proven to the German state health insurance board. A modality has to be clarified in the specific case and with the specific statutory health insurance.
A comprehensive guide to health insurance for international students in Germany in 10 languages can be found here. A comparison of benefits and a survey of private health insurances in Germany can be found here. (Only available in German)
For further information on the German health insurance system in English please see this page. Some further information is also available on the homepage of the Hertie School of Governance.
Language Courses
We recommend that you learn German during your stay in Berlin. The Dahlem Research School offers German language courses at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels for postgraduate students, especially focusing on international PhD candidates. Please contact the Coordination Office at BTS to register.
Additionally, the Language Center (Sprachenzentrum) at FUB offers German language courses for lower-intermediate and advanced learners. Candidates can also study German and other languages independently at the Independent-Language-Learning-Center. For information about registration please contact the Language Center directly.
We recommend that you learn German during your stay in Berlin. The Dahlem Research School offers German language courses at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels for postgraduate students, especially focusing on international PhD candidates. Please contact the Coordination Office at BTS to register.
Additionally, the Language Center (Sprachenzentrum) at FUB offers German language courses for lower-intermediate and advanced learners. Candidates can also study German and other languages independently at the Independent-Language-Learning-Center. For information about registration please contact the Language Center directly.
Photo by Jonas Witt
Sports Programme
BTS candidates can take advantage of all programmes offered at the athletic centres of Berlin's universities.
For contact and further information please visit the following homepages:
Sport at FUB
Sport at Humboldt University
Sport at TU Berlin
Additional athletic activities such as football, track, and basketball are offered at HSoG.
BTS candidates can take advantage of all programmes offered at the athletic centres of Berlin's universities.
For contact and further information please visit the following homepages:
Sport at FUB
Sport at Humboldt University
Sport at TU Berlin
Additional athletic activities such as football, track, and basketball are offered at HSoG.
