PhD candidates in the program can expect
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collaboration with internationally renowned and intellectually vibrant faculty in the department and across campus, with an outstanding faculty-student ratio;
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multidisciplinary approaches and comparative perspectives on German language, literature, and thought; film and media; digital humanities and critical code studies; political, legal, and environmental humanities; gender and migration; translation and German culture in relation to non-European literature and thought;
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opportunities to develop a wide spectrum of skills such as advanced analysis in literature, media, and theory, as well as writing and research, central to both academic and alt-ac careers;
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numerous opportunities to gain teaching experience in a variety of university-level classes, preparing students for future careers in higher education;
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a strong emphasis on international connections, with many study abroad opportunities in Germany, including exchanges and collaborations with LMU Munich, HU Berlin, FU Berlin, University of Cologne, University of Konstanz, and the University of Zurich;
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the development of professional networks on both sides of the Atlantic and the Pacific, facilitating an excellent record of external grants and job placements for graduates;
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the opportunity to be involved in departmental projects such as the interdisciplinary journal Transit, the portal WeimarCinema.org, the Archives of Migration, a series of conversations with contemporary authors, as well as the Sunrise Lectures on Media and Technology, which bring rising and established scholars to campus to discuss their latest work.
Designated Emphases
PhD students can combine graduate study in German with the following Designated Emphases in order to develop a particular area of specialization:
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Critical Theory
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Dutch Studies
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Film & Media
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Folklore
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Medieval Studies
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New Media
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Renaissance and Early Modern Studies
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Science and Technology Studies
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Study of Religion
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Women, Gender and Sexuality
Generous Financial Support
The Department of German at UC Berkeley offers comprehensive financial support for its PhD students. All admitted students receive a six-year full funding package that includes a combination of fellowships and teaching positions. Beyond this basic support, students have access to a wide array of additional funding opportunities, including research fellowships, travel grants, and specialized fellowships. The department also facilitates year-long dissertation research in German-speaking countries through Dissertation Completion Fellowships. Students are encouraged to apply for prestigious external fellowships from such organizations as the DAAD, Fulbright, Leo Baeck Institute, and the Mellon/ACLS. This robust financial support system ensures that PhD candidates can focus on their research and teaching responsibilities without undue financial burden.
Exceptional Faculty
Our faculty has wide-ranging expertise, from the medieval and classical-romantic periods through Weimar Germany to the contemporary. We emphasize interdisciplinary approaches and global perspectives. Research and teaching interests include:
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Aesthetics, imagination, and history of the senses
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Comparative literature and transnational studies
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Critical theory and Frankfurt School philosophy
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Dutch and Portuguese colonial and postcolonial studies
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Film and digital media, including media theory and archaeology
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Global intellectual history and comparative studies of East Asia and Europe
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Jewish studies
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Law and literature
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Media technologies such as algorithmic systems and generative AI
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Medieval and early modern German literature and thought
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Classical-Romantic literature and thought
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Migration, multilingualism, and translation
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Postwar and contemporary German literature and culture.
Pedagogical Training and Teaching Experience
All of our graduate students have ample opportunities to teach in a vibrant, innovative language program while receiving extensive training in teaching language and culture at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. The pedagogical issues raised reach beyond the language classroom to students’ future roles as professors of literature, culture, and media. In addition to language classes, advanced graduate students often teach Reading and Composition as well as other content courses. By reflecting on their own teaching practice and its relationship to the current state of the field, our graduate students are prepared for a strong start on the job market and for continuous professional development throughout their teaching careers.
Placement Record
The Department of German at UC Berkeley has an exceptional placement record for its PhD graduates. Over the past decade, our alums have secured positions at prestigious institutions across the United States and internationally. Many have obtained competitive postdoctoral fellowships and tenure-track positions, while others have found success in industry. This impressive track record reflects the department’s commitment to rigorous training and comprehensive professional development, preparing graduates for success in both academic and non-academic careers.
Information and Application
Applications must include:
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a statement of purpose;
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past record (degrees and transcripts);
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three letters of recommendation (make sure to solicit letters early on);
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a writing sample of not more than 30 pages (in English or German);
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and a TOEFL certificate for non-native speakers of English.
No GRE is required.
Please consult the graduate division’s admissions information for details. Application questions may be sent to the graduate adviser
Faculty members will host two Zoom information sessions on October 21 and 22 with details about the department and the application process:
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Tuesday, October 21, 6 pm Pacific Time (Wednesday, October 22, 9 am China Standard Time)
- Wednesday, October 22, 9 am Pacific Time (6 pm Central European Time)
Applications are due December 15, 2025
The application portal is open now. Longlisted candidates will be interviewed over Zoom in January, and successful applicants will be notified at the beginning of February.