Writing a Project Proposal — Information for Students applying to our Doctoral School
The main aim of the Project Proposal is that you demonstrate your abilities required for a successful participation in our doctoral program. In other words, your proposal should show that (A) you have the motivation, background and ability to pursue academic research, and (B) your interest matches the topics offered within our school, thus your research is feasible in our program.
There are several online guides for writing project proposals that you may want to consult:
- a general and detailed one
- one that helps specifically with PhD projects within the humanities
Please keep in mind that when reading your proposal, we will be looking primarily for elements revealing
- that the project has a relevant research topic that is fuelled by your genuine interest
- the way it builds upon your previous studies and research
- the corpus of primary sources you wish to examine
- secondary sources you have consulted when designing your project
It is advisable to attach a sample of your academic writing together with your application (e.g., a recent paper you have written as part of your curricular work or an academic publication).
In order to make sure that your research interest matches our program, please consult the list of topics offered. Research interests and publications of our staff may be found at the homepages of the Institute of English and American Studies respective departments (Department of English | Department of American Studies).
Remember: It is crucial for your future success in the program and a prerequisite for our cooperation that the proposal reflects your own skills and interest. (Please note that plagiarism in submitted documents will forfeit your acceptance.) It is not easy to design a project; it requires brainstorming as well as considerable background research. Give yourself enough time. We are looking forward to reading your proposal!