The BGTS does not require any tuition fees. However, to be enrolled as a doctoral researcher at the University, an enrolment fee needs to be paid every semester, which covers a transportation pass and a contribution to the student union and the student support service. Furthermore, doctoral researchers should expect to budget about € 1000-1200 per month for living expenses in Berlin including housing, meals and personal expenses. Please note that the structured programme is designed to be a full-time, on-site programme and it is not foreseen to work alongside doctoral studies

BGTS offers a number of funding opportunities through SCRIPTS, including contract positions as researchers (WiMi, E-13, 65%) and funding through and at its partner institutions, in particular the Hertie School. The BGTS also cooperates with the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC), doctoral researchers for both the Hertie School and CSC scholarships go through the regular BGTS selection process and will automatically be considered for BGTS membership if their application is successful. Apart from this, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a number of funding possibilities, as do other foundations in Germany and abroad. Doctoral researchers that are not offered a contract position can be admitted to the programme if they secure their own external funding. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to apply to other sponsors/foundations at the same time you apply to the BGTS. To support that process, we are happy to provide documentation when necessary. The BGTS is also happy to provide you with a (non-exhaustive) list of German foundations that provide funding for doctoral researchers.

Note that continuation of scholarships each year is subject to the satisfactory completion of annual requirements and the requirements of the respective funding organisation. At the end of the first year, this means successfully completing the programme requirements as well as a positive evaluation of the research proposal by the team of supervisors. At the end of the second year, each doctoral researcher's overall performance will be evaluated.

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