For many Ethiopian graduates in the social sciences, the dream of pursuing a fully funded PhD in Europe often feels distant—blocked by high tuition costs, living expenses, and limited access to international research funding. Yet, opportunities do exist for well-prepared and motivated candidates. One such opportunity is the Start-Up Scholarships offered by the Graduate School of Social Sciences (G3S) at the University of Basel, Switzerland.
This scholarship is not just financial support—it is a strategic entry point into a full PhD journey at one of Europe’s oldest and most respected universities. For Ethiopian students interested in conflict studies, migration, development, resources, gender, religion, or African studies, this call is especially relevant.
At addismereja.com, we break down what this scholarship really means, who can apply, how Ethiopian students can prepare competitively, and why this opportunity deserves serious attention.
About the University of Basel and G3S
Founded in 1460, the University of Basel is Switzerland’s oldest university and a leading institution in research and graduate education. It has a strong international orientation and long-standing engagement with Africa, global inequality, migration, sustainability, and social change.
The Graduate School of Social Sciences (G3S) serves as the institutional umbrella for all PhD programs within the Department of Social Sciences. The working languages are English and German, meaning Ethiopian applicants do not need German fluency at the start if their research and supervision are conducted in English.
G3S offers a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment that brings together scholars from anthropology, sociology, political science, gender studies, African studies, religious studies, and sustainability research.
What Are the G3S Start-Up Scholarships?
The G3S Start-Up Scholarships are designed to support students at the very beginning of their PhD journey.
Key Features at a Glance
- Number of scholarships: 3
- Funding amount: CHF 32,000 total
- Duration: 12 months
- Start date: October 2026
- Payment structure:
- CHF 16,000 in October 2026
- CHF 16,000 in April 2027 (after progress evaluation)
This funding is intended to help students develop a strong PhD proposal and submit it to a major funding body, such as the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), which would then finance the remaining years of the PhD.
👉 In simple terms: this scholarship helps you enter the PhD system and compete for full long-term funding.
Why Ethiopian Students Should Pay Attention
Ethiopian students bring unique research perspectives shaped by lived experiences of:
- Political transformation and conflict
- Migration and displacement
- Natural resource governance
- Gender and social inequality
- Religion, culture, and identity
- Development and sustainability challenges
These themes align directly with G3S’s preferred research focus areas:
Conflicts – Migration – Resources
Moreover, Ethiopian applicants are often well-positioned for:
- African Studies
- North–South research
- Development sociology
- Political science and governance
- Gender and social justice research
Swiss universities value context-rich, theoretically informed, and policy-relevant research, making Ethiopian candidates highly competitive if well prepared.
Who Is Eligible? (Explained for Ethiopian Applicants)
Academic Background
You must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as:
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Anthropology / Cultural Anthropology
- Gender Studies
- African Studies
- Religious Studies
- Development Studies
- Sustainability Studies
- Middle Eastern or Islamic Studies (where relevant)
Interdisciplinary backgrounds are strongly welcomed.
Grade Requirement
- Minimum 5.0 on the Swiss grading scale
- This usually corresponds to:
- Very Good / Distinction
- Approximately 3.5–4.0 GPA or above, depending on institutional conversion
If you studied in Ethiopia:
- Strong academic performance
- Clear class ranking
- Evidence of research excellence
can significantly strengthen your application.
Language
- English or German
- Most Ethiopian applicants apply in English
- No German certificate is required unless specified by the supervisor
What Kind of PhD Projects Are Suitable?
The G3S explicitly seeks dissertation projects that analyze current dynamics of social change.
Priority Research Themes
Projects focusing on one or more of the following areas are highly encouraged:
1. Conflict
- Political conflict and state formation
- Ethnic identity and federalism
- Peacebuilding and reconciliation
- Post-conflict governance
2. Migration
- Internal displacement (IDPs)
- Refugees and cross-border mobility
- Diaspora studies
- Migration policy and integration
3. Resources
- Land and water governance
- Natural resource conflicts
- Climate change and livelihoods
- Sustainability and development
These topics are particularly relevant for Ethiopia, making Ethiopian students strong thematic candidates.
PhD Programs Ethiopian Students Can Apply Through
G3S includes or collaborates with several doctoral programs that are especially relevant for Ethiopian applicants:
- Centre for African Studies (ZASB)
- International Graduate School North–South
- PhD Program Gender Studies
- PhD Program Science of Religion
- Sustainability Research
- Cultural Anthropology PhD Program
- Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies (MUBIT)
👉 Ethiopian applicants should match their project to the most suitable program and supervisor.
The Most Important Requirement: A Supervisor
This is critical.
To apply, you must already have a supervisor from the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Basel.
What Ethiopian Applicants Should Do
- Identify faculty members whose research aligns with your topic
- Read their recent publications
- Email them with:
- A brief research idea
- Your CV
- Your motivation
- Request supervision confirmation
📌 At the time of application, supervisor confirmation is mandatory.
This step often determines success more than grades alone.
Application Documents (Step-by-Step)
Ethiopian applicants must prepare the following documents in English or German:
1. Letter of Motivation
Explain:
- Your academic background
- Why your research matters
- Why the University of Basel
- Why G3S
- Your long-term academic goals
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Include:
- Education
- Research experience
- Publications (if any)
- Conferences, workshops, fieldwork
- Skills and languages
3. Draft PhD Proposal (Approx. 5 Pages)
This is the core of your application.
It should include:
- Research problem
- Research questions
- Theoretical framework
- Methodology
- Expected contribution
- Relevance to conflicts, migration, or resources
4. Writing Samples (1–2)
- MA thesis chapter
- Published article
- Strong academic paper
5. Academic Transcripts / Diplomas
- MA transcript showing grade and completion date
- Diploma must be submitted no later than June 9, 2026
Application Deadline and Address
🗓 Deadline
April 7, 2026
📍 Submission Address
Graduate School of Social Sciences – G3S
University of Basel
Dr. Julia Büchele
Petersplatz 1
CH-4051 Basel
Switzerland
📧 Email: [email protected]
Applications can be submitted electronically or in paper form.
Financial Reality: Is CHF 32,000 Enough?
Yes — for the purpose intended.
The scholarship is meant to:
- Cover living expenses during the proposal development year
- Support research preparation
- Enable full-time academic focus
Basel is expensive, but careful budgeting, student housing, and university support services make it manageable for one year.
Why This Scholarship Is Strategic for Ethiopians
Unlike many scholarships, G3S:
- Does not require prior PhD enrollment
- Supports you before full funding
- Values Global South research perspectives
- Encourages African and development-focused research
For Ethiopian students aiming at academic careers, international research, or policy institutions, this scholarship can be a life-changing entry point.
Language: What Ethiopian Applicants Need to Know
One of the most common concerns for Ethiopian students applying to European PhD programs is language proficiency. The good news is that the G3S Start-Up Scholarship at the University of Basel is linguistically accessible if you are well prepared.
Working Languages at G3S
The official working languages of the Graduate School of Social Sciences (G3S) are:
- English
- German
However, English is fully sufficient for most PhD projects, especially those supervised in international and interdisciplinary programs.
👉 German is NOT mandatory at the application stage for most Ethiopian applicants.
Is an English Language Test (IELTS/TOEFL) Required?
No standardized English test is explicitly required for the G3S Start-Up Scholarship at the application stage.
For Ethiopian students, English proficiency is usually demonstrated through:
- Completion of a Master’s degree taught in English
- Academic writing samples (MA thesis, research papers)
- The quality of the PhD proposal and motivation letter
- Supervisor assessment during contact and interviews
📌 If your previous education was conducted in English (as is common in Ethiopian universities), this is generally accepted.
What Level of English Is Expected?
While no test score is demanded, applicants are expected to:
- Read and engage with advanced academic literature
- Write a clear, well-structured PhD proposal
- Communicate effectively with supervisors and peers
- Present research in seminars and conferences
In practice, this means:
- Strong academic writing skills matter more than accents or fluency
- Clear argumentation and research logic are prioritized
What About German?
German is:
- Not required for application
- Not required to start the PhD if your supervisor works in English
- Helpful but optional for daily life and long-term integration in Switzerland
The University of Basel offers:
- Free or subsidized German language courses
- Academic and social integration support
Many international PhD students learn German gradually while studying.
Common Language Mistakes Ethiopian Applicants Should Avoid
❌ Assuming weak spoken English disqualifies you
❌ Delaying application because of German language concerns
❌ Submitting poorly edited proposals due to lack of proofreading
❌ Using overly complex language instead of clear academic writing
✔ Clarity beats complexity
✔ Strong ideas matter more than perfect grammar
✔ Well-edited writing creates confidence with supervisors
Practical Language Preparation Tips for Ethiopian Students
- Revise your MA thesis language before submitting as a writing sample
- Ask a trusted colleague or mentor to proofread your proposal
- Read recent journal articles in your field to model academic tone
- Practice writing short, clear research summaries
- Communicate confidently with supervisors in professional English
Final Word on Language
For Ethiopian applicants, language should not be a barrier to applying for the G3S Start-Up Scholarship. The University of Basel values:
- Research originality
- Theoretical contribution
- Methodological rigor
- Relevance to global social change
For more information and official updates, check the university’s website: www.unibas.ch