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Anthropology and Sociology, Ph.D.

  • Application Deadline
  • 48 months
    Duration
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Overview

The PhD in Anthropology and Sociology aims to provide students with theoretical perspectives and methodological tools to explore the social and cultural systems that influence, and are influenced by, policy interventions, especially – but not exclusively – in the field of development and international affairs.

Our four-year doctoral program is tailored for students with a strong commitment to anthropology and sociology and a demonstrated capacity for independent research work. 

The Department of Anthropology and Sociology offers a fast track entry to our doctoral program on an exceptional basis. A student may be considered for a fast track position if she or he has substantial prior training in Anthropology and/or Sociology (for instance, a BA in either discipline) and has demonstrated excellence in our Master’s program. In general, we encourage students to follow our full MA program of coursework and training before applying to the doctoral program. We are convinced that this allows them to profit most from our unique approach to the major global issues of our time and to carry out their own empirical research based on the solid theoretical and methodological training that we offer as a Department.

The Graduate Institute offers competitively awarded funding for PhD students through scholarships and teaching assistant positions. In addition, a number of our students have been successful in obtaining funding for their studies through external grants, such as the Swiss government’s Doc.CH grants. Emphasizing theoretical innovation along with empirically grounded research, the PhD program prepares students for an academic career, or for research-oriented positions in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors. Recent PhD graduates of our program are pursuing postdoctoral research at the University College London, and the Max Planck Institute in Göttingen.

Accreditation

ACBSP and IACBE are both accrediting bodies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Detailed Programme Facts

  • Programme intensity Full-time
    • Full-time duration 48 months
  • Credits
    54 ECTS
  • Languages
    • English
    • French
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  • Delivery mode
    On Campus

Programme Structure

Curriculum include:

  • 2 compulsory courses
  • 2 elective courses in the discipline of specialisation
  • Preliminary thesis dissertation
  • Option to designate a minor (18 ECTS in another discipline)

English Language Requirements

  • Minimum required score:

    100

    The TOEFL iBT ® measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The test has four sections (reading, listening, speaking, and writing), each with a score range of 0-30, for a total score range of 0-120.

  • Minimum required score:

    7

    The IELTS – or the International English Language Test System – tests your English-language abilities (writing, listening, speaking, and reading) on a scale of 1.00–9.00. The minimum IELTS score requirement refers to which Overall Band Score you received, which is your combined average score. Read more about IELTS.

    Get a free IELTS practice test

  • Minimum required score:

    600

    The TOEFL®PBT is administered in a paper format and measures your ability to use and understand English in a classroom setting at the college or university level. It accurately measures how well you can listen, read and write in English while performing academic tasks.

General Requirements

  • Only online application forms and recommendations submitted electronically can be considered. 
  • Only one application for one specific programme may be submitted per year. 
  • Application fees are non-refundable. 
  • Applicants are responsible for ensuring their application is complete and for monitoring the progress of their application via online status updates. 
  • Once an application has been submitted, no additional materials can be considered; changes cannot be made 
  • Applicants are responsible for meeting all costs related to authenticating their application documents. 

Tuition Fee

  • International

    7063 EUR/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the original amount of 7063 EUR per year and a duration of 48 months.

  • EU/EEA

    4414 EUR/year
    Tuition Fee
    Based on the original amount of 4414 EUR per year and a duration of 48 months.
We've labeled the tuition fee that applies to you because we think you are from and prefer over other currencies.

Living costs for Genève

  • 1925 - 2850 CHF/month
    Living Costs

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

Funding

The Institute strives to support its students throughout the duration of their studies, to the extent of its ability. It does so through financial aid (below) and paid jobs (teaching assistantships, research assistantships and administrative positions). In 2014, nearly half of our students received direct or indirect financial support from the Institute.

In particular, the Institute makes extensive efforts to assist its doctoral students. We aim to make financial aid available to all first year doctoral students with documented financial need. In subsequent years, doctoral students may apply for a teaching or research assistantship.

The option of applying for a scholarship also remains open during the four-year programme, particularly in the final year to help with the completion of the thesis.

Financial aid

The Institute deploys invests considerable resources in financial aid, with the goal of attracting talented scholars from around the world, regardless of origin and financial ability. While other institutions generally offer only tuition reduction, the Institute also provides a large number of cost of living scholarships of CHF 18,000 each.

We expect all of our students to contribute toward the cost of their education. Therefore, and in a spirit of responsibility and solidarity, each recipient of a full scholarship is required to pay an annual tuition fee of CHF 1,000.

Financial aid is awarded by the Scholarship Committee on the basis of a written application documenting financial need; by exception, a few merit-based scholarships are awarded each year on the basis of academic excellence.

Financial aid may take the following forms:

  • A full scholarship in the amount of CHF 18,000, which corresponds to the minimum living costs for one year;

  • A partial scholarship in the amount of CHF 9,000;

  • A merit scholarship awarded on the basis of academic excellence; it may be associated with a paid position as a teaching assistant or with need-based tuition reduction. An annual tuition fee of CHF 1,000 is charged in all cases.

In addition, tuition reduction may be awarded in combination with all types of scholarships.

Scholarships are awarded for one year and may be renewed on the basis of a documented application, in accordance with the resources available at the Institute. Full scholarships for Master degree students are generally renewed for a second year, following review of the student’s financial situation, provided that the s/he is in good academic standing and depending on the availability of financial resources.

Studyportals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.

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