PhD

Graduate School of East Asian Studies (GEAS)

Freie Universität Berlin

Berlin, GermanyInterdisciplinary Studies

Free TuitionAPS Requiredfull-time

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Degree

PhD

Language

English

Tuition

Free

Duration

8 semesters

Programme Overview

Structured PhD programme in East Asian studies that combines area-studies expertise on China, Japan, and Korea with discipline-based training from the social sciences, history, law, economics, and cultural studies.

Admission Requirements

Minimum GPA: No fixed minimum GPA is published.
English requirements: English at C1 is required. GEAS also expects East Asian language proficiency at B2 or higher; native speakers of an East Asian language must prove a second modern language at B2.
German requirements: A basic understanding of everyday German is highly recommended.
Accepted bachelor fields: Requires a master's degree in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean studies with a social-science background, or in political science, business or economics, law, history, cultural studies, or related disciplines with a clear East Asia focus. Applicants also need East Asian language proficiency at B2 or higher.
APS Certificate: Yes

Costs & Funding

Tuition fee: None
Semester contribution: 358.80 EUR per semester for enrollment at Freie Universitat Berlin in Summer Semester 2026, according to Freie Universitat Berlin's current fees page.
ECTS credits: 30
Funding info: Tuition: None Semester contribution: 358.80 EUR per semester for enrollment at Freie Universitat Berlin in Summer Semester 2026, according to Freie Universitat Berlin's current fees page.

Career Outcomes

Graduates are prepared for careers in academia, research, and policy-related work on East Asia, including roles in international organizations, government, and cultural institutions.

Typical job roles

Academic researcherPostdoctoral fellow

Target industries

AcademiaResearch institutionsThink tanksGovernment research labs