International Graduate School of Oriental and Asian Studies (BIGS

BIGS-OAS investigates the cultures and societies of Asia and the Middle East in change through time and the processes of global interaction. The graduate school combines the broad regional and thematic scope of the University of Bonn's Oriental and Asian-based social sciences and humanities. The doctoral students are incorporated into the graduate school's framework of a structured doctoral programme, which will lead to a completion of their PhD within four years. The curriculum encourages their theoretical, methodological, and occupational competencies and prepares them for a competent participation in the international research community. As a rule, research and field studies abroad are integrated into the second or third year of the graduate programme. A special emphasis is laid on the intensive support of the individual doctoral projects by the adviser (from the field of subject) and as well from discussions and research colloquia that are offered by the graduate school.