part time phd programs germany

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A doctorate is the highest academic degree that a university can award. In Germany, studying for a doctorate primarily means  working intensely on a specific subject or research project  for a long period of time. It typically takes five to six years to obtain a doctorate, though the length of time can vary.

How to obtain a PhD in Germany

If you decide to do a doctorate, you can choose between different forms of study. Depending on your discipline, research area, personal circumstances and formal qualifications, there are two different paths:

• Individual doctorate The individual doctorate is based on independent research carried out alone under the supervision of one professor. This is the traditional path followed by over three quarters of all doctoral students in Germany.
• Structured PhD programmes These programmes offer a form of study similar to that found in English-speaking countries. You will be supervised by a team and will attend courses, lectures and seminars together with other doctoral students. Normally, such programmes are publicly advertised and often feature grants or paid doctoral positions.

Individual doctorate

DAAD/Jan Zappner

The "traditional" or "individual" path to a PhD remains the  most common in Germany. An individual doctorate involves a thesis or dissertation that is produced under the  supervision of one professor .

This form of PhD study offers a great deal of  flexibility , but also demands a  high degree of personal initiative and responsibility . A professor supervises a PhD student, who works on his or her subject in consultation with the professor, but  largely independently .

How long a traditional individual doctorate takes depends on your own time schedule – or on the duration of your work contract. On average, you can expect it to take five to six years . Although a university is normally responsible for the doctoral process, you can also carry out your research at other institutions.

Depending on your subject, research area and interests, you can choose whether to work on a research project and your PhD at a university or non-university research institute – or indeed in industry. However, no matter where you conduct your research, a professor will always supervise your PhD.

You can obtain a doctorate by pursuing research:

• at a university
• at a non-university research institute or
• in a German company

PhD at a university

The "typical" PhD student in Germany works – usually part-time – as a  research associate  at his or her university. Although research is generally part of the job description, most of the associate’s own doctoral research usually has to be carried out outside working hours. How closely teaching, research and/or administrative duties are actually tied into the doctoral student’s own research depends very much on the individual situation.

PhD at a non-university research institute

Non-university research establishments – such as the  Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft ,  Helmholtz Association ,  Leibniz Association  and  Max Planck Society  – offer an excellent research environment in which to conduct your research. These institutions do not have the right to award doctorates themselves, but collaborate with universities for that purpose. They offer PhD students  scholarships and/or (usually fixed-term) contracts of employment  – or a combination of the two. However, support is also possible in the form of regular research posts, which are especially typical of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the Max Planck Society.

PhD in industry

Graduates who decide to work in industry and study for a doctorate part-time – often with funding and support from their employer – also need a university professor to supervise their research. In some cases, the employer will already be collaborating with a university or research institute and can help the PhD student find the right supervisor.

People who have PhD research posts within a company usually have part-time temporary contracts and work on a research project that allows them to pursue their doctoral research under the supervision of a professor. When a university and an industrial company collaborate in specially established institutes, doctoral researchers usually work on their projects with their professor and a supervisor from the company.

More information:

Find your individual doctorate 

The traditional individual path to a doctorate remains the most common in Germany. In this case, the doctoral student works for the most part independently on their thesis, though in consultation with their supervising professor.

Structured PhD programmes

DAAD/Volker Lannert

Structured doctoral programmes often have a  strong international orientation  with English as the team language. Unlike the individual doctorate model that can be freely structured to suit the individual research project, here doctoral students and their research proposals have to fit in with an existing PhD programme.

The doctorate frequently entails a  clearly structured doctoral study   programme  with compulsory attendance at lectures or seminars and interim assessment (credit points). The programme frequently also covers  academic and scientific methods or soft skills , such as presentation techniques.

As a rule, PhD Students work steadily at realising their research project within the team and with intensive  support from a group of academic staff  (often referred to as the “thesis committee”).

The duration of your studies is generally   limited to three to five years, and there is usually a fixed curriculum within which you work toward your doctorate and write your thesis.

Find your structured PhD programme

Though no database containing all structured PhD programmes in Germany is available yet, we can point you in the direction of databases that will help you find what you are looking for nonetheless, where to obtain information about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Check out our brochure:

Doing a phd in germany (2019, 40 pages).

This booklet for (prospective) international doctoral students presents the different options for doing a doctorate in Germany. It explains the formal requirements and gives some practical advice on finding the right supervisor or doctoral programme. It also outlines different sponsorship and funding options.

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How to Apply for a PhD in Germany: Programs, Funding, & FAQs

Germany is an excellent destination for both young and experienced researchers. 

The European country is third behind the U.S. and China for research & development expenditure . Plus, it is home to some of the most prestigious (and affordable!) research universities in the world.

If you’re considering doing a PhD in Germany, you will need to follow these steps:

The main steps to doing a PhD in Germany:

• Find a PhD Program and a Supervisor
• Decide Between Individual and Structured PhD Programs
• Meet All Requirements & Prepare Your Application
• Apply for Doctoral Studies
• Secure Funding
• Get a Student Visa or Resident Permit
• Arrive in Germany and Begin Your PhD Program

[Infographic Below]

Why Pursue a PhD in Germany?

If you’re not yet sure if you should choose Germany for your PhD studies, here are some compelling reasons why you should consider it:

Important Tip: To Maximize Your Chances of Getting Your German Student Visa You Should Use a Blocked Account as Proof of Financial Resources.

A blocked account is a special type of bank account , to prove you have enough funds to live in Germany for one year.

As of 2024, as a foreigner in Germany you need a minimum of €992 euros per month for living expenses. So, you are required to have a total of €11,904 in your bank account before you apply for a German internship visa.

Click here to learn more about the German Blocked Account

• Top-tier universities. Four German universities are ranked in the top 100 global universities, and many more are in the top 200.
• Large international student community. Germany welcomes a diverse and thriving international student community. Over 458,210 international students are currently studying in the country.
• Quality research institutions. There are over a thousand publicly funded research institutions (universities, universities of applied sciences, research institutes, businesses, and government bodies) that you can choose from in Germany.
• High investment in research and development. Germany’s public expenditure in the research and development sector reached a record high of 112.6 billion euros in 2021.
• Strong economy. Germany is known for its strong and stable economy. After completing your PhD, there are plenty of employment opportunities in the academic, business, and research sectors.

How to Apply for a PhD in Germany

From finding the perfect program for you to submitting your application and starting your PhD, here are all the steps you need to take:

1. Find a PhD Program and a Supervisor

After all the years of studying leading up to this step, you most likely have a few areas of interest you want to do your research in.

This is the first important step: define your research focus by considering your interests and academic background. If you need more help, you can consult online resources from research universities. Or, even better, you can discuss your decision to pursue a PhD with academic communities online or offline and seek advice from current PhD students in Germany who can tell you more about their individual experiences.

If you already know what your research direction is, you can begin searching for suitable programs right ahead. 

• The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has an extensive list of current opportunities, which you can look up at the  DAAD PhD Database . 
• Another option is to research universities in Germany individually to find the newest opportunities and offerings at each institution.

You will also have to find a supervisor. The best way to do this is to go to university websites and find faculty directories with profiles of professors and their research fields/current projects. Contact professors whose work aligns with your interests via email to inquire about supervision opportunities.

> Search PhD programs from 31,000 research institutions listed on the GERiT database .

Types of PhD Programs in Germany

There are two different paths you can take when pursuing a PhD: individual PhD programs and structured PhD programs. Each comes with its own set of advantages and requirements.

2. Verify That You Meet All Requirements & Prepare the Application

Requirements and application documents to apply for a PhD in Germany are specific to the institution and research area you’re applying to. But, as a general guideline, you should prepare the following:

• Academic degree recognized in Germany. You need a master’s degree or a German state examination (Staatsexamen) in a field relevant to the PhD program to qualify.
• Copy of master’s thesis. Submit a copy of your master’s thesis. The work should demonstrate your research skills and the depth of your academic work.
• Research proposal. Craft a clear and detailed research proposal that includes your intended research topic, objectives, methodology, and significance. 
• Statement of purpose. Write a statement of purpose why you want to do a PhD in your chosen field, your academic and career goals, and how this program aligns with them.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV). Prepare a detailed CV highlighting your academic achievements, research experience, relevant coursework, publications, and any other qualifications.
• Proof of language proficiency. Depending on the language of instruction, you may have to provide proof of language proficiency in English and/or German. You can do this with certificates like TestDaF and DSH for German or TOEFL and IELTS for English. Proof of previous studies in the language is also sufficient.
• Academic references. Provide contact information or recommendation letters from professors/ academic advisors who can attest to your academic abilities and potential.
• Predoctoral examination. Some programs ask that you pass a predoctoral examination as part of the application process.

3. Apply for Doctoral Studies

After finding a suitable PhD program and mentor, and making sure your academic qualifications are recognized, you can send in your application.

You can send in your application online or by post, depending on the hosting institution’s preferences. To make sure, check their guidelines and specifications. Admission committees are selective, so you may also have to attend an interview soon in the application process.

4. Secure Funding

You must demonstrate access to a minimum of €992 per month (€11,908 per year) to meet visa requirements and live comfortably while you’re in Germany. You can prove this through an admission agreement or relevant PhD contract, or you can open a blocked account with individual funds.

There are many ways to support yourself financially while pursuing a PhD in Germany:

• PhD scholarships. DAAD offers the highest number of doctoral scholarships. PhD students get an average monthly stipend of €1,139. 
• Paid PhD positions. Many universities and research institutions offer paid PhD positions in Germany. You will work on specific research projects on a contract and receive a salary.
• Research associate positions. You can also work as a research associate in a university, research institution, or company and receive a salary as compensation.
• Part-time jobs. Some PhD students/researchers work part-time jobs that are not related to their studies for extra income.

> Read more about the costs of studying in Germany.

> Discover PhD scholarships in Germany.

5. Get a Student Visa or Resident Permit

If the institution confirms your place in the PhD program, next in line is applying for a student visa or residence permit. The requirements for a German PhD visa or permit can vary depending on your nationality and circumstances: 

Visa Requirements

If you’re a citizen of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you don’t need a special permit or visa for a PhD in Germany. You can enter the country for research and work purposes with a valid passport or ID card.

Otherwise, you will need a visa and/or a residence permit to do your PhD in Germany. Nationals of some countries, including the United States, Australia, Israel, Japan, and Korea, don’t need a visa but must apply for a residence permit.

Depending on the circumstances, you need one of the following visas:

• Study visa. If you’re pursuing a full-time doctoral program.
• Research visa. If your focus is on research and you have a formal affiliation with a research institution in Germany.
• EU Blue Card. If your PhD contract pays a gross annual salary of at least €45,300 (or €41,041.80 in certain professions), you can apply for an EU Blue Card . This is a special residence title for international academics and other professionals.

Residence Permit Requirements

If you come to Germany on a visa, you will need to apply for a residence permit within three months of arrival. This also applies to nationals of countries outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland who are exempt from the visa requirement.

You can apply for one of the following residence permits:

• Study permit. If you’re accepted into a PhD program at a German university, apply for a study-based residence permit. It lasts up to two years, extendable.
• Research permit. If you’re a researcher with the right qualifications for doctoral programs, apply for a research permit. This requires a contract with a research institution for your project.
• EU Blue Card. With a PhD offer that has a minimum salary of €45,300 per year, or €41,041.80 for some bottleneck professions , you may be eligible for the EU Blue Card. Apply for this permit if you meet the criteria.

> For more specific information tailored to your situation, we recommend contacting the German embassy or consulate in your home country. You can also use this visa navigator.

6. Arrive in Germany and Begin Your PhD Program

The most exciting step of all is near—time to unpack your bags and begin your life as a PhD student or researcher in Germany. Once you’re settled in, there are some formalities you need to take care of.

The international office at the university or another representative can guide you best on this. However, here are some of the main things you need to do once you arrive in Germany:

Register Your Residence

Shortly after your arrival, you must register your residence at the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt). This is mandatory, and you typically have a window of two weeks to complete this process. 

Get Health Insurance

Everyone in Germany is required by law to have health insurance coverage. This includes international PhD students. Depending on the source of your funding, you are eligible for one of the following health insurance coverages: 

• Doctoral candidates with an employment contract are automatically insured with a state-regulated health insurance provider (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung-GKV) in most cases.
• Doctoral candidates without an employment contract (with a fellowship or private funding) can choose between:
• Voluntary health insurance coverage with a state-regulated provider.
• Coverage with a private health insurance company.

There are some exceptions in which you can use your insurance from your home country. These apply to students from a European Union (EU) country or other countries with social security agreements with Germany.

Open a Bank Account 

You should open a German bank account as soon as possible. Most financial transactions in Germany, including receiving your stipend or salary, are done through a German bank account.

Enroll at the University

If your PhD program is part of a university degree, you need to enroll as a student at the university. Follow your university’s instructions to submit the necessary documents to the enrollment office. These usually include your admission letter, passport, proof of health insurance, and semester fee.

After you complete this process, you will receive an Enrollment Certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung). This is a very important document that you most likely need in the future.

How to Apply for a PhD in Germany [Infographic]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There’s a lot of planning involved if you’re considering doing a PhD, especially if it’s in a foreign country. We’re sure you’ve got more questions, and we’re here to help.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Germany?

A PhD in Germany usually takes between three to six years to complete. Just like in other countries, it can take longer or shorter than expected, depending on several factors. The type of PhD you choose (structured programs can be more rigid), your subject area, and individual progress can all make a difference in the time it takes to get a PhD in Germany.

Are PhD Programs in Germany Tuition-Free?

The majority of PhD programs in Germany are tuition-free, at least for the first six semesters. However, if need to enroll at a university for your PhD, there is a small semester fee you need to cover. The fee can be higher or lower depending on the university, but it usually falls within the range of €100 to €350.

Is German Mandatory to Pursue a PhD in Germany?

You don’t necessarily have to know German to do a PhD in Germany. In fact, most PhD programs in Germany are in English, especially in fields such as science, engineering, and humanities. In these programs, you can both write your thesis and communicate with your advisor and peers in English.

There is of course the chance that the program you’ve chosen is in German or requires knowledge of German (in most cases, in addition to English). In this case, you have to prove your proficiency through a recognized language certificate or proof of previous studies in German.

Even if German isn’t mandatory, we strongly encourage you to learn the basics. They will be super helpful in daily interactions and getting accustomed to life in Germany.

How Much Does a PhD Student Earn in Germany?

Most PhD candidates in Germany receive financial support in the form of a salary or grant. This includes candidates affiliated with universities, research institutes, or company collaborations.

The majority of doctoral positions are structured under either the Collective Agreement for Civil Service TVöD (Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst or the Collective Agreement for the Civil Service of Individual Federal States TV-L (Tarifvertrag der Länder). Since universities are funded by their respective federal government, if your PhD is affiliated with one, your salary will be structured under the TV-L.

Doctoral positions fall within the TV-L 13 category, with a salary range spanning from €4,188 (Tier 1) to €6,037 (Tier 6). The difference between the tiers (Stufe) depends on prior experience in the field. If you don’t have any research experience, you will fall under Tier 1 and progress to the other tiers throughout your PhD.

Your salary will ultimately be determined based on a wage agreement that specifies the contract tier (Stufe) and working hours (percentage-based). Many entry-level PhD students start with tier 1 contracts that are not full-time. For example, if your contract places you in Pay Group E-13 Tier 1 of the TV-L and you work at 75% capacity, your monthly gross salary will be €3,141.

> Learn more about pay ranges for PhD students using this convenient calculator .

Can I Work While Pursuing a PhD in Germany?

Part-time work is an option in most cases unless it’s strictly stated otherwise in your contract. Whether or not you are allowed to work on the side as a PhD in Germany depends on the working hours stated in your PhD contract, supervisor, and other specific circumstances. 

However, since the PhD is considered a job in itself, it’s usually frowned upon to have a side hustle. Even if you have a 50% contract, a PhD is demanding and requires long hours of work and research. If you choose to work on the side, make sure to find the right balance between work and your PhD commitments. To be on the safe side, it’s best to talk to your supervisor and go over all the legal and contractual obligations related to your PhD.

What Is the Process for Defending a PhD Thesis in Germany?

Here are the main steps to defending your PhD thesis in Germany:

• Submit your thesis. The first step is submitting submit your thesis and supporting documents in adherence to all the formal requirements. A commission will be formed, and in some cases, you can suggest reviewers.
• Oral defense. The next step is preparing and undergoing an oral defense, which can take between 30 minutes to 2 hours. During this time, you will present your research and discuss it with the committee. The defense can be either public or private.
• Receive the title and publish your work. The outcome of the discussion determines your final grade, to be received after the defense. If everything goes well, you’re granted the Ph.D. title and have about two years to publish your dissertation.

What Are the Career Prospects Like After Doing a PhD in Germany?

Career prospects after a PhD in Germany are quite promising. 

The most common paths for PhD holders in Germany are either in academia as professors or post-doctorate researchers or in industry positions. 

Technology, healthcare, and finance, in particular, are some of the most in-demand industries in Germany. The country’s strong economy and research-oriented environment make it an attractive place to develop your career.

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Flexible part-time degree programs

Are you looking for a way to combine your career and your life with a flexible degree program - without making any compromises? Then the flexible part-time programs at TUM might just be the thing you are looking for.

Our part-time programs offer you maximum flexibility: You can choose between different tracks, reducing the work load to 50% or 66% or a full-time program. You can change the track every semester, and even switch between full-time and part-time - just as it fits your personal plans and needs.  

What part-time degrees does TUM offer?

Degree Programs at TUM with a part-time option

What else do I have to know about part-time programs?

• Double degree programs are a further option allowing you to enroll in two part-time programs simultane­ously, or to com­bine a full-time program with part-time studies.
• The   Student Union fee   and the base-level   semester­ ticket fee   must be paid in full.
• Proof of   health insurance coverage   is required. If you are working and your earnings exceed the limit for marginal employment, you will not be eligible for the reduced student rates.
• Applicants are not entitled to federally funded student financial aid   ( BAföG ).
• Applicants from outside the EU who have enrolled in a part-time program are not entitled to a resi­dence per­mit.

How do I apply for a part-time degree program?

If you are interested in applying for one of our part-time programs, be sure to contact the student advising office first - they will answer every question you may have.

The contact details are listed on the page of the degree program

Please note that you have to fulfill the same admission criteria and adhere to the same application deadlines as students applying for full-time programs.

More info on applying to TUM

For questions concerning our part-time programs, please contact the Academic Advising staff of the faculty or school.

Structured Doctoral Programs

Each of our structured doctoral programs offers a comprehensive and cross-disciplinary curriculum designed to help you realize your full potential and prepare for a successful career. The programs include innovative, personalized advising with regular progress checks, as well as extensive opportunities to broaden your research network and connect with peers in your field.

The University of Bonn offers a wide range of funding opportunities, which have been summarized for you on this page, divided into the following categories:

Bonn International Graduate Schools (BIGS)

Phd programs within our cluster of excellence.

• Structured Doctoral Programs by Discipline 

Third-Party Funded Programs

Doctoral education at the highest level: BIGS enable doctoral studies in outstanding research contexts with attractive international collaborations and a qualification program tailored to the needs of graduate students.

Located at the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics and supported by Germany’s Excellence Initiative, BIGS-M  is home to all of the University’s doctoral candidates in mathematics and contributes to Bonn’s excellent international reputation in the field.

BGSE offers a structured program that is tailored to the needs of doctoral candidates, including an internationally recognized research network.

Supported by Germany’s Excellence Initiative and jointly administered by the renowned Physics Institutes at the Universities of Bonn and Cologne, BCGS  offers doctoral studies through an integrated honors program.

Home to an international community of talented biomedical scientists, BIGS DrugS 6 6 is the hub for doctoral candidates from pharma research institutes within the University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Faculty of Medicine.

BIGS-OAS offers a wide range of courses within a research context, focused on the cultures and societies of Asia and Asia Minor.

BIGS Neuroscience provides a top-level, internationally competitive program in this rapidly growing field.

BIGS CPS's interdisciplinary approach combines medical, agricultural and pharmaceutical research.

BIGS Chemistry 10 doctoral candidates enjoy an exceptional and ambitious program covering all fields of chemistry.

This three-year doctoral program  is offered in conjunction with the University’s ImmunoSensation Cluster, which is funded by Germany’s Excellence Initiative.

Part of the University of Bonn’s Center for Development Research, BIGS-DR   trains students for an international career in development cooperation, policy or research through a combination of academic study and intensive tutorship.

The BIGS Land and Food combines the research at the agricultural Faculty with an interdisciplinary study program.

BIGS-LIMES offers a graduate program for doctoral students in Bonn specializing in biochemistry, life sciences and biomedicine.

Clusters of Excellence stand for international and interdisciplinary elite research and offer young scientists excellent funding and career conditions. The University of Bonn currently has six clusters of excellence, more than any other university in Germany, and thus opens up a broad spectrum of possible research topics to doctoral candidates. Here you will find an overview of the university's clusters of excellence.

PhD Programs within our Excellence Cluster

The goal of the Hausdorff Center of Mathematics is to identify and address mathematical challenges of the 21st century, to advance groundbreaking fundamental mathematical research worldwide, and to develop the mathematical methods and tools required by science and society.

Part of the Hausdorff Center is also a graduate school: The Bonn International Graduate School of Mathematics (BIGS-M) hosts all doctoral students of mathematics and contributes to the outstanding international reputation of the university in this field. The duration of the program is usually 3 years, and the doctorate (Dr. rer nat.) can be earned as a degree.

More information: https://www.bigs-math.uni-bonn.de/de/studies/ 14 15 15

ImmunoSensation2 aims to continue the success story of the existing ImmunoSensation cluster. While the emphasis so far has been on fundamental research in particular of the innate immune system, now the mechanisms of immune intelligence are to be uncovered, i.e. the question of how the body succeeds in adapting immune responses to specific situations and then remembers this in order to be optimally prepared for similar challenges in the future. The cluster's graduate school, the Bonn International Graduate School Immunosciences and Infection offers a structured, three-year doctoral program.

You can find further information about this program here: 

https://www.immunosensation.de/opportunities/young-scientists

Until today, dependency studies has almost exclusively dealt with slavery on the American continent or in antiquity. The Cluster of Excellence "Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS)" aims to broaden this perspective in terms of content, space and time. Within the framework of the cluster, a structured doctoral program with a duration of 4 years is offered.

Further information can be found at:  https://www.dependency.uni-bonn.de/en 15 16

Over the last few decades, computer hardware has become smaller and smaller, but their technology remains more or less the same. Slowly, this development is reaching its limits.Thus, we need new technologies that satisfy our growing hunger for even more powerful hardware.

Quantum physics could be a solution.

Together with the University of Cologne and the RWTH Aachen, Bonn researchers want to work on making this new technology usable. To achieve this, quantum bits or even qubits - the quantum counterpart to our previous bits - quantum communication channels that build networks and error correction methods have to be explored from the ground up. As part of the Excellence Initiative, the Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy (BCGS) offers a doctoral program with an integrated honors program.

Further information can be found at:  http://www.gradschool.physics.uni-bonn.de/. 4 4

The ECONtribute researches the functioning of markets as well as reasons for their failure. In doing so, the cluster goes beyond traditional analyses by systematically combining model-based theoretical approaches and behavioral explanatory models while incorporating legal and political frameworks. Within the cluster, the Bonn Graduate School of Economics (BGSE) offers doctoral students a tailored structured doctoral program that includes an internationally recognized research network.

Further information can be found at:  https://www.bgse.uni-bonn.de. 3 3

Increasing agricultural production despite limited land while reducing the ecological footprint of agriculture - this is one of the challenges of our time. For this reason, the University of Bonn and Forschungszentrum Jülich are jointly developing methods and new technologies to observe, analyze, better understand and more specifically treat plants. The cluster's graduate school, the Theodor Brinkmann Graduate School, offers an interdisciplinary study program to master's students and doctoral candidates at the Faculty of Agriculture.

More information: https://www.phenorob.de/ .

The Third-Party Funded Programs at the University of Bonn offer structured doctoral studies on selected research topics. They enable close networking among doctoral students conducting research on related topics.

Bonn International Graduate School of Mathematics (BIGS-M) 2 17 18 18 Located at the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics, BIGS-M provides an umbrella for all Bonn PhD students in mathematics. Thus, the BIGS-M contributes to the excellent national and international reputation of mathematics at Bonn.

Bonn International Graduate School Immunosciences and Infection The BIGS Immunosciences and Infection is a structured 3-year PhD program in conjunction with the ImmunoSensation Cluster/Bonn. The ImmunoSensation Cluster is part of the Excellence Strategy.

DFG Research Training Group "Gegenwart/Literatur. Geschichte, Theorie und Praxeologie eines Verhältnisses" (GRK 2291) [only in German] The Research Training group supported by the DFG  aims at the exploration and analysis of the constitutive dimensions of the concept of contemporary literature.  

DFG international Research Training Group "Myeloid antigen presenting cells and the induction of adaptive immunity" GRK (2168) 19 19 19 19 The DFG-funded project is a cooperation of the University of Bonn and the University of Melbourne. The principal research focus is the intersection between innate and adaptive immunity in the context of infection.

DFG Research Training Group "Template-designed Organic Electronics (TIDE)" (GRK 2591) 21 21 21 The Graduate Program 'Template-Designed Optoelectronic Devices' (TIDE) aims to provide comprehensive doctoral education in the field of Organic Electronics (OE) to meet the requirements of highly qualified and multidisciplinary professionals. 

DFG Research Training Group "Tools and Drugs of the Future - Innovative Methods and New Modalities in Medicinal Chemistry" (GRK 2873) The goal of the RTG " Tools and Drugs of the Future" is to modernize medicinal chemistry and train a new generation of medicinal chemists and researchers at the interface with interconnected disciplines. In addition, the projects are intended to contribute to the development of new drug substances.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Synaptic Micronetworks in Health and Disease" (SFB 1089) 22 22 27 27 Located at the newly inaugurated SFB 1089 on neuronal networks, the Integrated Research Training Group offers a structured graduate program for all doctoral researchers at the Centre.

Integrated Research Training Group at theDFG Collaborative Research Centre "Future Rural Africa" (SFB/TRR 228) The integrated research group is investigating the relationship between land use change and shaping the future in rural Africa in a total of 14 subprojects.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Open System Control of Atomic and Photonic Matter" (SFB/TRR 185) 24 The collaborative research centre Oscar will explore the physics of open systems.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Aortic Diseases" (SFB/TRR 259) 25 The aim of this research initiative is to better understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of resident and non-resident cells in aortic diseases.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Regional Climate Change: Disentangling the Role of Land Use and Water Management" (SFB 1502) The SFB combines the strengths of the University of Bonn and its project partners to answer one of the most difficult questions in understanding climate change.

Integrated Research Training Group at the DFG Collaborative Research Centre "Brown and Beige Fat - Organ Crosstalk, Signaling and Energetics (BATenergy)" (SFB/TRR 333) The CRC investigates metabolism/diabetes and focusses on brown adipose tissue. 

One Health and Urban Transformation

The NRW Forschungskolleg One Health and Urban Transformation is a transdisciplinary graduate school that aims to find interventions to achieve optimal health for humans, animals, plants and the environment with a special focus on developments in NRW, Saõ Paulo, Accra and Ahmedabad.

International Max Planck Research School Moduli Spaces 27 27 In cooperation with the University of Bonn, the renowned Bonn Max-Planck-Institute for Mathematics offers a PhD program with a special focus on the study of moduli.

International Max Planck Research School for Astronomy and Astrophysics 28 28 In cooperation between the Max-Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy and the Universities of Bonn and of Cologne, the Research School facilitates 3 years of PhD studies with a curriculum tailored to the individual student.

International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior 29 The IMPRS for Brain & Behavior is a cooperation between the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior - caesar, the University of Bonn and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn

International Max Planck Research School - Recharge IMPRS-RECHARGE focuses on interdisciplinary research between chemistry and physics with an emphasis on catalytic mechanisms, physical-chemical analysis and energy topics. Scientific challenges shall be looked at from different angles. Furthermore the combination of theory and practice is a vital aim of the IMPRS-RECHARGE.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network "Macro and Microplastic in Agricultural Soil Systems“ (SOPLAS) The SOPLAS project will assemble a multidisciplinary team to study the nexus of plastic–agriculture–soil. It will also train a new generation of leading experts. The project aims to identify the plastic cycle within agricultural soil systems and support the development of environmental policies related to mitigating the impact of plastics. The findings will advance our knowledge about the sustainable use of plastics in European agriculture.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network "Early Stage Researchers EDUCational Program on Factor VIII Immunogenicity“ (EDUC8 ) 32 37 The EDUC8 program is a multidisciplinary training program with exposure of the enrolled ESRs to a core common educational package and development of individual PhD researchprojects dedicated to decreasing the societal burden associated with the development of anti-FVIII antibodies in Europe.

Tools4Teams - "Research Training to Design and Implement Tools Supporting Safe Teamwork in Healthcare"

The Tools4Teams research project will prepare the next generation of teamwork experts to contribute new insights and smart technologies for safe and effective care. Tools4Teams brings together expertise from social and technical sciences, human-centered design, education, and clinical specialties.

Trinational Graduate College "Mass and Integration in Antique Societies" [in German/French] Supported by the Deutsch-Französische Hochschule since 2011, the tri-national Graduate School in Ancient History offers curriculum events in Bonn, Berne, and Strasbourg.

Structured Doctoral Programs by Discipline

Find the right structured doctoral program at the University of Bonn in your discipline here:

• Cross-Disciplinary Options
• Medicine and Life Sciences
• Mathematics and Natural Sciences
• Agriculture

Faculties at the University of Bonn work together to design interdisciplinary programs that combine key perspectives and offer unique insights.

Cross-Disciplinary Programs

Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research (BIGS-DR) 42 Unique in Europe, BIGS-DR links perspectives from the Faculties of Philosophy, Agriculture, and Law and Economics – with an international focus.

Bonn International Graduate School of Neuroscience (BIGS Neuroscience) 8 8 A collaboration between the University’s Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, as well as external partners, BIGS Neuroscience offers a medical program alongside five research areas in medicine.

SciMed Doctoral College 43 42 The Doctoral College offers scientific training for students in medicine and dental medicine, leading to a dual Dr. med. and Dr. med. dent. degree.

Researchers at the University of Bonn explore a wide variety of issues in economics, including game theory, applied microeconomics, monetary and international macroeconomics, contract theory, labor economics and finance.

Economics Programs

Bonn Graduate School of Economics (BGSE) BGSE offers a structured program that is tailored to the needs of doctoral candidates, including an internationally recognized research network.

Law Programs

Graduate School of Law and Political Science Department of Law The Graduate School of the Faculty of Law and Political Science was founded in the summer semester of 2018 and supports the doctoral students in preparing their doctoral studies.

The University of Bonn’s Faculty of Medicine offers doctoral programs in medical biochemistry, neurosciences and pharmacology. With the exception of the SciMed Doctoral College, all programs are administered in cooperation with the University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Cross-Disciplinary Program

SciMed Doctoral College The Doctoral College offers scientific training for students in medicine and dental medicine, leading to a dual Dr. med. and Dr. med. dent. degree.

Neuroscience

Bonn International Graduate School of Neuroscience (BIGS Neuroscience) BIGS Neuroscience provides a top-level, internationally competitive program in this rapidly growing field.

Synaptic Micronetworks in Health and Disease (SFB 1089) Supported by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft – DFG) collaborative research centers, this integrated research training group works to identify fundamental rules that govern neuronal behavior at the network level and translate network dynamics to mammalian and human behavior.

International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior A joint venture of the University of Bonn, the Max-Planck-associated Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, and Florida Atlantic University, this graduate school offers a complete doctoral and research program in the neurosciences.

Pharma Research

Bonn International Graduate School of Drug Sciences (BIGS DrugS) Home to an international community of talented biomedical scientists, BIGS DrugS is the hub for doctoral candidates from pharma research institutes within the University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Faculty of Medicine.

Bonn International Graduate School of Immunosciences and Infection

This three-year doctoral program is offered in conjunction with the University's ImmunoSensation Cluster , which is funded by Germany’s Excellence Initiative.

DFG Research Training Group "Myeloid antigen presenting cells and the induction of adaptive immunity" GRK (2168) The DFG-funded project is a cooperation of the University of Bonn and the University of Melbourne.

At the University of Bonn’s Faculty of Arts, you’ll find a highly international environment with students and researchers in a wide range of fields.

German Studies, Comparative Literature and Culture 

Structured Doctoral Program in German Studies (SPP) [website in German] Taught in German, the SPP supports doctoral candidates’ initiatives within the Institute for German, Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies.

German-Italian Doctoral College [website in German] Taught in German, this three-year grant program provides structured doctoral studies for researchers in German and Italian, with time in both Bonn and Florence.

History and Ancient History 

Mass and Integration in Antique Societies [website in German and French] Supported by Franco-German University and taught in German and French, this trinational doctoral program includes study in Bonn; Berne, Switzerland; and Strasbourg, France.

Oriental and Asian Studies Bonn

International Graduate School of Oriental and Asian Studies (BIGS-OAS) BIGS-OAS offers a wide range of courses within a research context, focused on the cultures and societies of Asia and Asia Minor.

Romance Studies

Italian Studies [website in German and Italian] Offered in cooperation with the Universities of Florence and Paris-Sorbonne IV, this trinational doctoral program is taught in German and Italian.

Structured DPhil program at the Faculty of Arts The program supports qualified doctoral candidates from all disciplines in their doctoral projects. It provides the opportunity for networking, interdisciplinary exchange in diverse social sciences and humanities subjects, progress monitoring and financial support for travel, workshops or research funding as part of the doctorate.

European Founding Myths in Literature, Arts and Music [website in German, French and Italian] This trinational program is jointly organized by the Universities of Bonn, Florence and Paris-Sorbonne IV and taught in German, French and Italian.

Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research (BIGS-DR) Part of the University of Bonn’s Center for Development Research, BIGS-DR trains students for an international career in development cooperation, policy or research through a combination of academic study and intensive tutorship.

The University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences offers numerous externally funded doctoral programs in areas including mathematics and informatics, physics, biology, pharmacology and molecular biomedicine.

Programs in neuroscience, pharma research, immunoscience, and infection and molecular biomedicine are offered in cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine.

Mathematics

Bonn International Graduate School of Mathematics (BIGS-M) 2 2 Located at the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics, BIGS-M is home to all of the University’s doctoral candidates in mathematics and contributes to Bonn’s excellent international reputation in the field.

International Max Planck Research School on Moduli Spaces 53 53 This program includes courses, seminars and activities focused on the geometric spaces whose points represent fixed algebro-geometric objects (or isomorphism classes of such objects).

Physics und Astronomy

Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy (BCGS) 4 4 Supported by Germany’s Excellence Initiative and jointly administered by the renowned Physics Institutes at the Universities of Bonn and Cologne, BCGS offers doctoral studies through an integrated honors program.

International Max Planck Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics 55 55 This program offers a broad spectrum of topics in observational and theoretical galactic and extragalactic astrophysics, observational and theoretical cosmology, and fundamental physics – using astronomical tools and instrumentation.

Leibniz Graduate School on Genomic Biodiversity Research Based at Bonn’s Alexander Koenig Research Museum, this school is focused primarily on insect genome evolution.

Bonn International Graduate School of Chemistry (BIGS Chemistry) 57 57 BIGS Chemistry offers an internationally competitive doctoral program and opportunities to perform cutting-edge research.

Neurosciences

Bonn International Graduate School of Neuroscience (BIGS Neuroscience) 8 8 BIGS Neuroscience provides a top-level, internationally competitive program in this rapidly growing field.

Synaptic Micronetworks in Health and Disease (SFB 1089) 22 22 Supported by DFG collaborative research centers, this integrated research training group works to identify fundamental rules that govern neuronal behavior at the network level and translate network dynamics to mammalian and human behavior.

International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior 29 29 The IMPRS for Brain & Behavior is a cooperation between the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior - caesar, the University of Bonn and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn.

Bonn International Graduate School of Drug Sciences (BIGS DrugS) 6 6 Home to an international community of talented biomedical scientists, BIGS DrugS is the hub for doctoral candidates from pharma research institutes within the University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Faculty of Medicine.

BIGS Immunoscience and Infection A structured, three-year doctoral program, IITB is offered in conjunction with the ImmunoSensation Cluster at the University of Bonn.

Doctoral candidates in the field of agriculture may choose to study through the Faculty of Agriculture’s Theodor Brinkmann Graduate School or earn their degree through the University of Bonn’s Center for Development Research.

Agriculture Programs

Bonn International Graduate School for Land and Food (BIGS Land and Food)  Founded in 2008, the Brinkmann School is home to master's and doctoral candidates in the Faculty of Agriculture, combining research with an interdisciplinary study program.

Bonn International Graduate School for Development Research (BIGS-DR) 12 Part of the University of Bonn’s Center for Development Research 59 , BIGS-DR trains researchers for an international career in development cooperation, policy or research through a combination of academic study and intensive tutorship.

Dr. Robert Radu

[email protected]

+49 228 73-60222

Poppelsdorfer Allee 47

Office Hours

Questions about the structured doctorate? Register for the (virtual) office hours and get advice:

• Tuesday 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.

Additional Qualification: Doctorate plus

Expand your skills with our training program Doctorate plus.

Learn about the numerous funding opportunities and grants for doctoral students.

Events and Opportunities

Find out what's new and see upcoming events.

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Doctorate at HHL

Overview doctoral program.

• Dr. rer. oec.

Program Length

Program start.

• Rolling admission, no application deadline

Admission Criteria

• Master’s degree in business or economics (or related field) with the final grade of a 2.5 or better
• Letter of acceptance from an HHL professor, following a personal interview regarding your research project
• Research proposal
• Letter of motivation

Tuition Fees (from Jan 01, 2024)

• Study fee EUR 19,800, including:
• Enrollment fee EUR 2,500 (waiver for HHL alumni)
• Examination fee EUR 1,000 (waivers possible)

Accreditation

• Doctoral AACSB
• 25-35 new doctoral students/year
• Average age: 31
• > 350 doctoral graduates (1998-2023)

Core Modules

• Philosophical Underpinnings of Economic and Management Research
• Economic Analysis & Policy

Elective Modules

• Econometrics/Methods of Multivariate Statistics
• Qualitative Data Analysis
• Scientific Writing & Publishing
• Structural Equation Models
• Time Series Models/Panel Data Models (elective courses are examples only)

Course Format

• Online or hybrid

Program Structure

Hhl’s doctoral program focuses on your research project.

The Doctoral Program of HHL is designed on a part-time basis and is particularly of interest to research oriented candidates, seeking to combine their job with a postgraduate degree. It includes coursework in the form of lectures and seminars, independent research and participation in doctoral forums, research colloquia, summer schools and conferences.

Program structure

As a rule, HHL’s Doctoral Program takes three years. Doctoral candidates have the flexibility to arrange the coursework according to their individual schedule. All seminars take place in an online or hybrid format.

Course overview

We are offering a rolling admission, which allows you to start the Doctoral Program in your preferred term. Admission to the Doctoral Program at HHL is highly competitive and the participation in such a program in Germany differs from an American Ph.D. or a DBA program: It requires that the candidate finds a professor to supervise his or her doctoral thesis and a research proposal has to be submitted.

Application Documents

Please  apply online  with the following documents, which will then be assessed by HHL’s Doctoral Committee:

• Confirmation of supervision from an HHL supervisor (letter of acceptance)
• Final transcript and a degree certificate of all completed degree programs (at least one of them has to be a Master’s degree in Economics or Business Administration with a final grade which is equivalent of the German grade “good”)
• Curriculum vitae
• Research proposal* **

* These documents can be handed in during the admission process. ** You find an overview of the research topics of our faculty below.

The admission requirements can also be found in the  Doctoral Statutes  (in German).

Application Process

• Step 1 : Check whether you fulfill the formal admission criteria: a Master’s degree in Economics or Business Administration with a final grade which is equivalent of the German grade “good” .
• Step 2 : Define your research topic (and begin to write your research proposal) .
• Step 3 : Identify and contact potential supervisors from the HHL faculty according to your research topic.*
• Step 4 : Write the research proposal in accordance with your potential supervisor.
• Step 5 : If you obtain a confirmation of supervision, apply online , selecting your supervisor.
• Step 6 : The Doctoral Committee evaluates your application .
• Step 7 : You will be informed by the Admissions Officer about the final decision of the Doctoral Committee via email.
• Step 8 : You receive the official admission documents and you get enrolled in the program.

If you have any questions or doubts regarding the doctoral program, contact us: [email protected]

Career Perspectives

With new competencies to challenging positions.

A doctoral degree from HHL enables you to choose from quite a variety of career options.

Depending on your own preferences you may either seize a next-level job opportunity with a company, even set up your own business, or –  if you like teaching and research – pursue an academic career. At HHL you may also habilitate and thus further indulge in research. In the last 22 years almost 300 students have obtained their doctoral degree from HHL. More than 30 of these postgraduates now work as professors at universities or at universities of applied sciences.

HHL Alumni in Academia

The magic word is “Balance“!  As an academic with consulting experience too, HHL’s doctoral program was the perfect fit for going through a well-thought plan of connecting academia with the industry, and showing the outcome of that in my thesis. As a foreigner with originally a British education, HHL provided the amazing educational environment, exposure to connections and events, as well as being taught by experienced professors. After graduation from HHL, I was offered multiple jobs in academia and in the industry. I am currently the Associate Dean of a reputable British University and I take over consulting projects as well. If time goes back, I definitely wouldn’t have picked anywhere else!

HHL provided me with the perfect framework for my doctorate. In addition to research at the chair of Professor Torsten Wulf, I was able to develop new methods for strategic planning in a practice-oriented way by working at the Center for Strategy and Scenario Planning together with Roland Berger: For me, the perfect balance of research, practice and teaching.

Since my studies in one of the first classes after the re-establishment of HHL, I have been very attached to HHL and very grateful for the excellent academic education and the great network. When, 12 years after my graduation and a career in brand management at Unilever and McCain, I decided to pursue a professorship at an HAW and still needed a doctorate, HHL was my first choice and in Prof. Vilks I found a doctoral supervisor to whom I am very grateful for his supervision and support during my external doctorate. Last but not least, the Leipzig location is a real competitive advantage, as are the service-oriented employees.

When I joined HHL as a research associate at the Chair of Strategy and Organization in 1995 HHL’s doctoral program was about to start. What I learned at our Chair is the unsubstitu­table basis for my whole academic ... read more career. In addition, a course program oriented towards international scientific standards was established step by step. As a highlight, Arnis Vilks’ course Philosophy of Science opened up topics for me which I profit from almost on a daily basis. Thus, HHL’s doctoral program embedded in a wide and fruitful international network became and still is what I call: my academic home. 1997: Completion of doctoral studies at HHL ( Chair of Strategic Management and Organization ) 2001-2002: Assistant Professor, Boston University 2002-2015: University Professor, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management

After my graduate studies at HHL I decided to join HHL’s doctoral program as a research associate at the Chair of Financial Management to continue working in the vibrant environment of academic excellence, ... read more innovation and business impact. I especially liked to develop and hold courses for the highly motivated and committed HHL students. These teaching experiences but also the research and project work prepared me well both for my former job as management consultant with BCG and for my current job as Professor of Finance. since 2019: University President of TH Brandenburg, University of Applied Sciences, Brandenburg, Germany since 2012: Professor of Business Administration, esp. Finance, TH Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences, Brandenburg, Germany 2009-2012: Consultant with BCG The Boston Consulting Group 2008: Completion of doctoral studies at HHL ( Chair of Financial Management )

Further graduates of HHL’s doctoral program work as professors at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW), Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK), KIT Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, IMD International Institute for Management Development (Switzerland), Philipps-Universität Marburg, University Duisburg-Essen, University of Bonn, University of Mannheim and at the University of Passau.

HHL Alumni in Companies

The Doctoral Program at HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management was not only an outstanding academic experience for me, but also a time in which I built a strong (international) network. I had the opportunity to participate in various academic conferences in Germany and abroad and to present the research work of the Chair. The cross-chair collaborations with my peers and professors not only significantly influenced my professional development, but also my personal growth and have developed into lifelong friendships. The valuable network I built at HHL has been instrumental in preparing me for a successful start as a strategy consultant at Roland Berger.

After my graduate studies HHL’s doctoral program provided me with a unique opportunity to pursue my research interests and closely work together with outstanding supervisors as well as fellow researchers. Supervisors, faculty and fellow researchers at HHL were always available for help or advice on an idea I wanted to develop, a paper I had a hard time writing, or my dissertation that needed to be done well.

Further doctoral alumni work with SAP, EY – Ernst and Young, The Boston Consulting Group, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Otis, Roland Berger, Vodafone, Miele, BMW Group.

HHL Alumni Leading Their Own Business

After completing my Master of Science at HHL, I returned to my hometown in 2014 to complete my doctorate. As a research assistant at the Marketing Management Chair of Prof. Dr. Manfred Kirchgeorg, I supported practical projects as well as teaching courses. Looking back, I particularly appreciate the value of the well-founded way of working during my doctoral studies – a competence that has proven extremely helpful in my role as founder and CEO of two companies. Of course, I also benefit from HHL’s large network. I am proud of my academic journey at the “Gründerschmiede” and always look forward to an opportunity to return to my alma mater.

Career Development

The HHL Career Development guides you on your way to start a new employment or to develop on the job. The career support does not end once your aim is reached – you may contact the team of HHL’s career service also in later stages of your life.

• CV and Cover letter checks
• Personal career coaching
• Mock interviews
• Experienced hire job newsletter
• Company and HHL alumni contacts
• Salary information (and advice on negotiations)

Also the wide network of  HHL alumni  can prove to be a door opener to the targeted position. The HHL alumni are an active, international community offering lots of possibilities for networking.

Research Topics

Make an impact with your doctoral project.

At HHL, more than 20 chairs and centers work on a comprehensive range of research topics in the fields of business and economics. The research questions are often interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral, i.e. they combine economics issues with knowledge from e.g. ethics, psychology, health or law.

HHL researchers present their findings at international colloquia and conferences and publish the results in numerous journal articles and monographic dissertations. Latest topics dealt with at HHL were e.g. moral risk management, communicative leadership ethics, employee involvement in open innovation, current conceptual and empirical issues in group reporting under IFRS, service productivity, sustainability in supply chain networks or the perception of family firm brands.

The work of our researchers is greatly acknowledged by the research community. In 2013, Nagwan Abu El-Ella received the ISPIM Award for the “Best Paper on practical implications for technology”. In 2015, HHL doctoral candidate Christian Comberg together with co-authors received the ISPIM “That’s Interesting!” Research Award for their research paper titled “The Design Logic for Business Model Innovation in Sharing Economies”. Each year, HHL honors one of the doctoral candidates for excellent research with the HHL Research Award.

Which research area would you like to explore further? Check also the chairs’ pages for their focus and current projects.

A worthwhile investment

From Jan 01, 2024, the tuition fee amounts to EUR 19,800 for the entire program (including an enrollment fee of EUR 2,500 and an examination fee of EUR 1,000; the enrollment fee will be waived for HHL alumni), which is to be paid in three installments at the beginning of the first, second and third academic year. The tuition fees for the Doctoral Program are tax deductible as anticipated professional expenses. Get first tips by reading the  brochure “Steuertipps”  (in German). For detailed information please contact your legal tax advisor.

Scholarships

Seize funding opportunities.

Would you like to concentrate on your research only and attend HHL’s doctoral program without working? Then you may apply for a scholarship to cover the tuition fees (and/or living expenses). There are plenty of scholarship options from other foundations for German and for international students. The following list gives you starting points for your scholarship search:

• Scholarship tips from the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (in German)
• Funding opportunities recommended by the German Academic Exchange Service
• Stipendienlotse (in German)

Individual Support

We are there for you.

Look forward to experiencing HHL as an institution with a truly personal atmosphere. As one of 30-40 students each year you will not only receive reliable and individual support from your supervisor and your fellow researchers but also from our administrative staff.

The Department of Student Affairs will guide you through your doctoral studies. Starting with showing you the HHL Campus and providing information about Leipzig, Mariah Littley will support you in managing your course plan and complying with the study regulations up to the final disputation. The HHL Library is well equipped and ready to help you with your research projects, providing not only comprehensive digital resources, but also individual consultations. The IT team organizes IT introduction sessions and can be approached with all IT-related questions. HHL’s Career Development offers individual and strategic guidance on your career development not only during your doctoral studies but also after graduation from HHL.

The intranet of HHL provides information on all HHL departments and its services, and also the HHL faculty. It serves as a communication tool and makes it easy for you to feel as a part of the HHL community and to easily reach the right persons for your questions.

At the Dr. Werner Jackstädt Chair of Economic and Business Ethics we attach great importance to the intensive exchange between our doctoral students. During a two-day seminar which takes place twice ... read more a year the doctoral candidates meet to discuss their current findings but also fundamental texts and topics. One of these seminars is also open to our doctoral alumni giving them the possibility to update their knowledge in the field of business ethics. On the other hand, current students may receive valuable advice and stimulation for their doctoral research from those who successfully completed the doctoral program at HHL. Apart from that we host a monthly telephone meeting each of which is lead by another doctoral student. The idea is to focus on a special aspect of his/her thesis and to present it to the others in an easily accessible way. Thus, we foster something that is essential to every doctoral student (and unfortunately too often neglected): the discussion of one’s own research with others.

Every doctoral student gets a welcome email from us with information on all services we provide. We support the students with research information sessions, which can also be arranged as an online meeting. ... read more These sessions are often very individual, due to the low student numbers. Especially useful for doctoral students is our free Citavi campus license that enables the effective management of collected references.

The HHL Career Service team responds individually and at the same time systematically to all your questions relating to your job entry and your further career development. Each biography unfolds an ... read more own story covering a variety of interests, likings, values and skills. We are very happy about the successful careers of many of our doctoral graduates and are pleased to still receive the latest news about their current business from them even beyond graduation.

A worldwide network as a source of inspiration and innovation

As a doctoral student at HHL you will be a member of a multi-faceted network. HHL as an institution as well as the chairs and centers maintain relations to partners from business, research and academia in Germany and abroad. They are a source for support and exchange. The close contact to external partners offers possibilities for joint research and transfer projects.

The HHL network comprises regional partners such as the local Leipzig University and the Leipzig Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer and stretches over renowned German research institutions like the KIT and Hasso Plattner Institute to the world’s top research institutions such as the Harvard Business School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The HHL community itself is a strong network. The SVI-Endowed Chair for Marketing, for instance, unites all current and former doctoral students in the Academic Marketing Association which offers regular meetings for mutual exchange. You will experience HHL’s close ties to its alumni in various ways. We are looking forward to your commitment to further develop and shape the HHL network.

International Partners

• Harvard Business School, Boston, Mass., U.S.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Mass., U.S.
• Stern School of Business, New York, U.S.
• University of Exeter Business School, UK
• European Academy of Management
• European Health Management Association
• European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ESCB)
• Kozminski University, Warsaw, Poland

Partners in Germany

• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
• Hasso Plattner Institute, Potsdam
• Wittenberg Center for Global Ethics
• Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy, Leipzig
• Leipzig University
• Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK)
• Leipzig Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer
• SMILE Initiative
• SpinLab – The HHL Accelerator, Leipzig
• Translational Center for Regenerative Medicine, Leipzig

Doctoral Theses

The list below gives an overview about all doctoral theses published by HHL doctoral graduates. If you are interested in further publications by the HHL faculty or if you would like to search for a special topic, please start your search on the HHL Publications web page.

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Doctoral Degree at Freie Universität Berlin

Freie Universität offers outstanding doctoral programs and funding opportunities for junior researchers from Germany and abroad.

• Dahlem Research School: Earning a Doctorate at Freie Universität Berlin
• Enrollment in PhD and doctoral programs (doctoral degree)

• Higher Education and Research

The way to a doctorate

You would like to get a PhD in Germany? Here you will find attractive programmes for international doctoral students.

Working in a team, following a clear programme and intensive mentoring by several scholars or scientists: if that sounds like a good idea, a structured PhD programme is the right choice for you. Two more pluses: such programmes usually offer an international environment and the language of teaching and working is often English.

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Research training group

In a research training group you are part of a team of doctoral students, post-docs, and scholars or scientists. You carry out research together on a subject, often interdisciplinary and focused on the specialty of the scholar or scientist who is supervising your doctorate.

International research training groups specifically promote scholarly and scientific exchange. During your doctorate work, you conduct research abroad for six months.

Some collaborative research centres of universities operate integrated research training groups . There you can do your PhD in a research-intensive environment in a structured PhD programme.

A survey of research training groups can be found on the DFG website. Applications must be sent to the head of the respective group.

Quick facts

Research schools.

In non-university research institutions, it is almost the rule to participate in structured, largely interdisciplinary doctoral programmes. The Max Planck Society , Helmholtz Association and Leibniz Association have set up research and graduate schools for their doctoral students, which are also open to international doctoral candidates.

Max Planck Schools

The new Max Planck Schools are something special. They are a joint project of universities and the major research organizations of the Max Planck Society, Helmholtz Association, Leibniz Association and Fraunhofer Society. In these international graduate schools, excellent graduates from all over the world work together in a structured doctoral programme with the best scholars and scientists in their fields.

Doctoral programmes and courses of study

Many universities also run special international doctoral programmes that either target specific research topics or support doctoral students with interdisciplinary offerings. These programmes can be found in the DAAD database (in English).

More information and tips can be found at Research in Germany

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Related content

• ESMT Berlin
• Faculty & Research
• PhD Program

PhD program

Do you have questions or need more information about our program?

Take your research and career to the next level with a PhD. ESMT Berlin's structured PhD studies provide an intellectually stimulating and academically rigorous environment for you to make the most of your research. With our vibrant international community and focus on real-world impact, it's the ideal environment to progress your career. 

• Rigorous training in state-of-the-art methodology in preparation for your independent research.
• Access to ESMT’s world-class faculty and the Berlin science community.
• Close collaboration and supervision by ESMT professors.
• Successful applicants must have obtained a Master’s in Economics or Business Studies and have performed exceptionally well in their studies.
• Applicants from related fields (such as industrial engineering, statistics, or quantitative social sciences) may also fulfill the admission requirements if they have an interest in economics or business studies.
• ESMT’s PhD program addresses outstanding candidates with a strong desire to conduct their own research projects. Participation is free of charge.
• PhD positions will be offered alongside part-time Research Assistant employment. View current vacancies .
• ESMT offers support to cover the costs related to research, including conferences and overseas visits.
• Awarded degree: PhD or Dr. rer. oec.

PhD curriculum (180 ECTS)

• Methodological and research-oriented training in mandatory course work. 
• Selection of research area and supervisory support. 

60 ECTS from qualification courses, soft skill courses, and presentation of a scientific article.

• Own research, electives, and further development of soft skills and teaching. 
• Participation in seminars and conferences, presentation of dissertations.

120 ECTS for the dissertation and the defense colloquium.

An individual study plan, which determines the selection of courses to be taken, must be agreed upon in writing with the supervisor within two months after enrollment in the PhD Program and approved by the PhD Council.

The content of the required coursework should guarantee that ESMT PhD candidates obtain the necessary training to conduct research independently and at the highest levels. This typically requires the mastering of a broad set of research methods commonly applied in the area of management.

Integration into Berlin's scientific community

You can choose from a variety of PhD courses typically (but not only) offered by the  Berlin School of Economics (BSoE) . The courses are not limited to management science, allowing candidates to choose from topics in economics, machine learning, analytics, and data science.

ESMT is a founding member of the Berlin-wide structured doctoral BSoE PhD program which candidates can choose to enroll in as an alternative to the ESMT PhD program.

For candidates enrolled in the BSoE program, ESMT offers financial support through stipends and travel allowances. Applications for the BSoE program must be made directly via the Online Portal .

Develop your research skills, mostly in the quantitative areas, currently offering a series of seminars on using generative AI for various research tasks.

PhD students & graduates

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Management Concentration

This concentration is one of the three concentrations offered in  Frankfurt School's Doctoral Programme.

We are among the very few European business schools conducting top-level scientific research and training doctorates in English. Joining the Management track enables you to study cognitive and behavioural processes shaping the decisions of managers, entrepreneurs, employees and customers as well as the external and internal drivers of organisational design, strategy and performance in fast-changing, globalised markets.

Choosing life as a management scholar is an ambitious but rewarding career choice. If you join our five-year doctoral programme, you will be expected to get your bearings through a number of theory and method courses before moving on to produce research of international scientific standard.

Programme Structure

A prototypical path through our programme would have you brush up on statistical inference, qualitative induction, or machine learning, immerse yourself in the theory of the firm or decision making, beef up your knowledge of your chosen specialist area with internal and external courses, learn-by-doing on research projects with faculty members, craft and execute an original thesis, present and publish ongoing work at conferences and journals, go on an overseas visit to engage with leaders in your field, hone your teaching skills and prepare for the institutional demands of entering the professorial job market.

Each field of research specialisation deserves a slightly modified version of the above. To get you started, you will have approximately two years’ worth of courses, beginning with the standard courses required for all Frankfurt School doctoral students. These will be complemented with the specific management courses. During the course period, you can start exploring research projects with Frankfurt School faculty. The idea is to thus identify an advisory team for the later, research stage of the programme.

Management research at Frankfurt School is to move the research frontier, be it through theoretical or empirical contributions. We pride ourselves on making meaningful additions to knowledge by tackling hard problems with novel approaches. To equip students with the foundation needed to join us in this scientific endeavour, we deliver the in-house courses listed below and additionally ask students to partake in specialised courses outside Frankfurt School. This is to ensure that students get exactly the content needed for their individual research foci:

Mathematics & Statistics

Calculus of Several Variables Functions of Several Variables Implicit Functions and Their Derivatives Quadratic Forms and Definite Matrices Unconstrained Optimization Constrained Optimization Concave and Quasiconcave Functions Economic Applications Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors Advanced Linear Algebra Advanced Analysis Basic Probability and Statistics

Econometrics I

The class provides key knowledge on how different econometric models work and most importantly sheds light on their limitations. The course also provides step by step application of new tools to different data sets in the computer lab. You will be asked to replicate and in some cases improve, prior empirical studies.

Microeconomics

1. Demand Theory 2. Expected Utility Theory 3. General Equilibrium Theory 4. Non-Cooperative Game Theory a) Dominant strategies and applications b) Nash Equilibrium and applications c) Subgame Perfect Equilibrium and applications 5. Principal-Agent Theory 6. The Theory of Incomplete Contracts

Field Experiments

Coming soon

Students can choose up to three elective courses suitable for their chosen area of specialisation. These can be offered by Frankfurt School but often are found at other research universities. The faculty and the programme office help the student identify appropriate courses.

Econometrics II

Game Theory

The course aims to familiarise students with the basic concepts of game theory. Students learn different classes of games and a variety of solution concepts to predict strategic behaviour in these games. They will learn how to capture practically relevant situations in a game and the necessary tools to solve these games.

Causal Inference

Computational Statistics

Industrial Organization

Advanced Topics in Management

The course covers a variety of methodological concerns, topic include: Philosophy of science, experimental design, case study methodologies, problems with and alternatives to traditional model fitting approaches, replication and prediction, data management.

Multivariate Statistics

Students can choose up to three elective courses suitable for their chosen area of specialisation. These can be offered by Frankfurt School but often are found at other research universities. The faculty and the programme office help you to identify appropriate courses.

PhD Brownbag

Master's Thesis / 2nd year paper

The second year paper is the first piece of the student’s very own presentable research work. It can also be used to obtain a Master’s degree in Business Research and Analytics.

Research (Dissertation and Defence)

Upon passing the Qualifying Exam at the end of the 2 nd year, students enter the research phase of the programme. Students dedicate themselves to their research projects, produce scholarly papers and present their research at international academic conferences. They also have the opportunity to interact with international scholars visiting Frankfurt School to present research in the seminar series.

Seminars & Conferences

Research is a social process. Your Frankfurt School experience includes opportunities to both solicit feedback on your own research as well as learn from others’ ongoing research. The former you can do by presenting early drafts of your ideas and papers at the department’s brownbag seminar series, where colleagues provide a friendly environment for improvement. Besides informal chats with the faculty and your peers, the department’s annual summer school provides an additional intensive event for discussing research. To learn about and discuss current research conducted at other universities, a regular seminar series and occasional conferences with outside speakers provides ample possibilities for interaction with the field. You can find the upcoming management seminars in the below table.

Recent management conferences at FS include:

FS Marketing Research Camp

PROGIC : Workshop on Combining Probability and Logic

SMS : Strategic Management Society Frankfurt Special Conference

Research projects at FS

We are currently looking for highly motivated researchers interested in our research projects in marketing, strategy and organizational behaviour.

Strategic Decision Making of CEOs, TMTs, and BRDs

The goal of our research is to gain a greater understanding of how social and behavioural forces affect human actors at the top of the organisation. We do that by studying the contexts of strategic decision making by CEOs, top management teams, and boards of directors. Our research has an impact through the development and testing of new theoretical insights in top journals, and also by disseminating those insights through articles geared towards a lay audience.

Prof. Dr. Markus Fitza

Prof. Dr. Stevo Pavicevic

Microfoundations of Scaling: Implications for Strategy and Organization Design

The goal of this project is to develop a novel research agenda that investigates the microfoundations of scaling in firms, including the properties of organizations that give rise to scaling laws, as well as the implications of scaling laws for strategy and organization design. Today, the most valuable companies in the world employ a significant share of digital resources, such as software, algorithms, and data.  The greater scalability of firms’ digital resources is fundamentally changing the nature of competition and the basis of competitive advantage.  Yet, we are only beginning to understand the underlying forces that determine scaling and its implications for strategy and organization design.  What organizational challenges must be met to achieve success in the age of scaling?  What strategies are (not) effective in the age of scaling?  Are you excited about the opportunity to contribute research that addresses these questions?

Prof. Dr. Thorbjørn Knudsen

Prof. Dr. Lucas Böttcher

Consumer Information Processing

From the perspective of marketers it is very important to be able to predict and influence consumer choice. We study the relationship between cognitive and motor processes in consumer decision making/choice using eye and mouse tracking technologies. Our goal is to predict and influence choice. For example, we ask in the context of asking consumers to donate to a cause, in an online environment, would the design of the webpage and the physical location of the cursor (mouse) impact willingness to donate?

Prof. Dr. Selin Atalay

Prof. Dr. Florian Ellsäßer

Customer Reviews in the Context of Products with Short Life Cycles

Reviews are important for consumers, manufacturers, brands, and retailers for various reasons. The review history of a product has a strong effect on the success of the product on the market. It reduces uncertainty about product quality and fit and can therefore stimulate a purchase or help to avoid costly product returns. A rich product review history has proven to be very powerful, especially in market places with large product assortments. In the context of products with short life cycles, such as products in the fashion industry, accumulation of product reviews pose a substantial challenge as products’ life span is very limited. We are interested in how the fashion industry (and other industries with products with short life cycles) can address this problem. The topic is crucially important from the perspective of brand reputation building.

Prof. Dr. Alexander Bleier

Prof. Dr. Siham El Kihal

Prof. Dr. Tetyana Kosyakova

Experimental Organization Science

The goal of this project is to examine behavioural patterns of judgement and decision making at the group level, including dynamics arising from temporal or hierarchical structures. An example topic is the aggregation of individual decisions under uncertainty into organisational resource allocation and outcomes. Few lab studies examine behaviour at the organisational level, and organisation science comprises few experimental studies. Yet, properly understanding firms requires research on the level above the individual, and below that of markets. To isolate mechanisms operating at that level, experimental methodologies have few rivals. In theory. In practice, organisation-level lab work requires special care. If you want to contribute to a fledgling movement on experimental organisation science, we would love to hear from you.

Prof. Dr. Ronald Klingebiel

Prof. Dr. Mirko Kremer

Constructing and Evaluating R&D Portfolios

The goal of this project is to understand the theoretical and behavioral issues when building R&D portfolios, and to develop  novel methods and tools to evaluate the quality of an R&D portfolio

For R&D- and innovation-driven organizations, long-term success critically hinges on those firms’ ability to build impactful R&D portfolios. However, constructing an R&D portfolio—that is, selecting which innovation projects (not) to pursue—is a daunting challenge: In the early stages of such innovation projects, uncertainty dominates, and it is hence hard to predict, ex ante, which projects will be the best choice ex post. In addition, firms can rarely predict, with sufficient precision, the interaction effects between the different projects in their R&D portfolio. So, what is the best way to build an R&D portfolio? Which biases do managers introduce to that decision process? And how can we evaluate, ex post, how well an R&D portfolio was constructed? Are you excited about the opportunity to contribute research that addresses these questions? Join us!

Prof. Dr. Jochen Schlapp

Sample Publications

Frankfurt School publishes in the top outlets for management research. To get a sense for the kind of research we conduct, please click on the following sample publications:

Management Faculty

Strategy & organisation area, data & decision analysis area, technology & operations area, marketing area, student funding and scholarships.

Frankfurt School offers fully-funded study places for the doctoral programme in order to attract and support the brightest minds in academia.

Students are expected to devote 100% of their working time to their doctoral studies at Frankfurt School for up to five years.

Funding includes a tuition fee waiver and a cost-of-living stipend. The monthly stipend comprises of EUR 1,820.

The stipend will be granted for five years conditional on the continued satisfaction of all academic programme requirements.

From the first year onwards doctoral students will receive EUR 1,820 for the period of 5 years.

Furthermore Frankfurt School covers costs related to research, including conferences and overseas visits.

Application process

1. target group.

Outstanding graduates of a Bachelor‘s or Master’s programme in business administration, finance, management, accounting or related fields who aspire to launch an academic career.

Candidates in the final year of a Master’s or Bachelor’s programme are welcome to apply with their most recent academic transcript. Please note that the degree has to be completed by the time of the beginning of the programme.

2. Online Application

The first step of our application process is to complete the online application form. You will need to upload the following required documents. Please note that you need a certified English or German translation for all documents, that are not originally in German or English. The application platform will be open between 15th September and 15th January.

Required Documents

• CV and list of publications (if existent)
• Certified copy of your University Entrance Qualification (Abitur, A-levels or equivalent)
• Certified copy of your University Degree Certificate or equivalent and academic transcript of records
• Official GMAT or GRE results
• Proof of English Language Proficiency Test (TOEFL IBT min. score of 100/IELTS min. score of 7.0)
• Statement of Purpose (up to 2 pages): Why are you interested in your chosen field of study? What are the potential areas of research you might pursue? Have you completed any research projects with faculty? Is the research of any member of the FS faculty of interest to you?
• Optional Statement: If you would like the committee to consider any of the following factors, you can describe their relevance in a separate statement within the application. This can contribute to the diversity of the entering class: background, extracurricular activities, work experience.

Two letters of recommendation: To request the letters from your recommenders, you have to register on a separate platform and send your request from there.

Please click on this link to access the platform: http://apply.interfolio.com/79802

Create a profile by clicking on the button “Apply now”.

If you require assistance, go to the “Home” tab and click the “Dossier Quick Start Guide”.

Once you send your request to your potential recommender, they will receive an e-mail together with a link where they can upload their recommendation letter confidentially. Please provide a deadline for your recommendation letter to ensure we receive it on time. Once the recommender has uploaded the letter, we will be notified and will be able to access it.

3. Interview

Successful applicants will be invited to a online interview with faculty members of the chosen concentration.

The final decision regarding admission to our doctoral programme will be made by the Committee for Doctoral Proceedings. It is based on the applicants overall portfolio and the interview.

Isabeau Köhncke Recruitment Officer

Lianna Mirzoyan Recruitment & Admissions Manager

• Universities

PhD Candidates

Are you a master’s graduate looking to take the next step in your academic career? Follow your passion for research and science by pursuing a PhD in Bavaria at one of our excellent universities.

Are Doctoral Studies Right for Me?

In general, the formal requirement for a PhD in Germany is a master’s degree. A PhD here usually takes between two and five years to complete, depending on the discipline and funding. A significant advantage of doing your PhD in Bavaria is that tuition is free.

Choosing Your Area of Interest

Completing a doctorate means immersing yourself in research, so it’s a good idea to choose a topic that will hold your interest for several years. A PhD is your chance to show that you are able to carry out a complex project that contributes novel ideas to your field of research.

Which research group or chair offers the best conditions for your project? Take the time to gather information about research opportunities available. Find your peers in our database or explore our Research Panorama  for an overview of the exciting research that is going on in the region. The better the fit between your area of interest or specialization and a professor’s area of expertise, the better your chances of being taken on as a doctoral candidate.

Structured PhD Programs vs. Individual Doctorates

If you are considering a PhD in Germany, you will need to decide between a structured doctoral program and an individual doctorate. Most doctoral candidates in Germany pursue independent research under the supervision of a professor. However, there is a growing trend among universities to offer structured programs, which are managed by a team of supervisors.

Alongside the research project, candidates of structured programs are expected to attend seminars and lectures. Another important component of these programs is learning soft skills such as project management or academic writing. You are provided manifold opportunities to discuss your research project with other PhD candidates. Candidates on the individual track generally work more on their own. They can, however, receive similar support by becoming members of one of the university’s graduate schools .

If you enjoy teamwork and appreciate regular feedback from your peers, you might consider the structured option. If you thrive on independent study and can organize your work effectively on your own, then individual doctoral research might be best for you.

Picking a Research Question

If you decide to pursue an individual doctorate, you will be free to define your own research topic, which you will finalize with your supervisor. In a structured doctoral program, your research proposal will have to fit in with an existing program outline. If you decide to join a research group or structured program, you should think carefully about how your own ideas and experience might fit in with the aims of the current project or program.

Sometimes, research groups advertise open PhD positions  on their websites. Here, the supervisor will usually decide on the research question you will tackle during your PhD. You will often collaborate with other doctoral candidates within the research project.

Getting Ready for a PhD in Bavaria

Doctoral programs in Bavaria will differ according to your subject area and the university. To help get you started, here is some general information about where and how to find a supervisor, and about the application process.

Who Can Confer a Doctorate?

Only research universities can award doctoral degrees. If you decide that a non-university research institution or a university of applied sciences would be a better fit for your PhD, you will need to find an additional supervisor at one of the research universities. Your supervisor at the non-university research institution or university of applied sciences will be able to help you find a suitable joint supervisor.

Finding a Supervisor or PhD Program in Bavaria

Once you have decided on the type of doctoral studies you plan to pursue, the search for a supervisor or degree program begins. Your supervisor will be your key point of contact for all your research-related questions and will oversee the development of your project over the next few years.

In order to find a supervisor for an individual doctorate, you can start a subject-specific search in our database of Bavarian research institutions . Our database of structured PhD programs can help you get started if you are interested in a structured path. If you are able to meet a potential supervisor either at a conference, summer school , or during a short visit, use the opportunity to talk to them in person about your plans. You could also keep an eye on open PhD positions .

The Application Process

Reaching out to a supervisor.

The first and most important step in the application process is establishing contact with a potential supervisor. This needs to happen before any other official steps are taken – particularly, before you formally apply to register as a doctoral candidate and to have your degrees recognized. The university ultimately decides on degree recognition , but your supervisor will also have a good idea of whether your degrees will be recognized. They can then advise you on when and where to start the formal process to register as a doctoral candidate.

When contacting a supervisor, we recommend submitting: 

• a statement of purpose or cover letter in which you show how your experience and research interests relate to your supervisor’s field of study or the chair’s research focus
• copies of academic degrees, including transcripts
• a brief explanation of how you plan to finance your project and whether or not you have secured third-party funding
• a short project description explaining the relevance of your project to the research field and outlining your proposed methods and schedule (if applying for an individual doctorate)

When a supervisor has agreed to accept you as a doctoral candidate, they will provide you with a written confirmation of supervision. At some universities, you will also draw up a supervision agreement together. You will need this confirmation for your visa application .

Your supervisor will walk you through the first steps of the formal application process and advise you on who to contact, either within the faculty, at the Welcome Center, or at the International Office. The relevant contact person will help you through the rest of the application process. You can now prepare for your move to Germany and start working on your project.

Applying to register as a doctoral candidate

This very formal part of the application can be started more easily once you have arrived in Germany and while working on your project.

You will apply directly to the department or graduate school, since they set the regulations and ultimately confer your doctorate. Although the exact requirements might differ from university to university, and even between departments, the following documents should be submitted with your application:

• a signed confirmation of supervision or supervision agreement
• certified copies of previous academic degrees and transcripts (including official translations, if the documents are not in English or German. These should be prepared before your departure.)
• proof of language proficiency (if required)
• any other documents specified on the respective university website

Your official application will be reviewed by the board of examiners of the respective department or graduate program. This is also usually when degree recognition takes place. If your application is successful, you will receive an official letter of acceptance from the university admitting you as a doctoral candidate. In some cases, the board might stipulate additional courses you need to complete in parallel with your research.

For structured programs , the formal application process is largely the same but you will apply directly to the program. For some programs, a supervisor will be assigned to you based on the research interests listed in your application. On the doctoral program website, you will find all the necessary information relating to application deadlines, where and how to submit your application, the documents required, and whether you will need to submit a project description or apply for a particular research area in the program.

Enrolling to be a student

Whether you are required to enroll as a student depends on your chosen university. Since doctoral candidates are officially considered researchers and not students, enrollment is often voluntary. However, many candidates do choose to enroll. As students, they have access to all university services and facilities for up to three years and they can enjoy benefits such as a semester ticket and reduced entrance fees for museums. You will only need to pay a small semester fee to enroll.

If you choose to enroll, you can only do so after you have been registered as a doctoral candidate. Find out from your Welcome Center about which documents you need to submit.

Registering for your final examination

At most universities, you will likely register once the majority of your research is complete. When you apply for the final exam, you will submit your thesis along with any other documents stipulated by your university. You and your supervisor will decide on the best time for you to submit. You do not need to be enrolled at the time of the examination.

5 Ways to Get Started

• Apply for a structured PhD program: PhD Programs in English (PDF: 360 KB)
• Search our database for a supervisor working in your field!
• Keep an eye on current job advertisements !
• Take part in a summer school:  Summer Schools (PDF: 300 KB)
• Come for a short research stay:  Visiting Researchers

It All Started with a Research Stay

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Doing a PhD in Bavaria

Your PhD in Bavaria will provide you with the tools to succeed in your academic career. Close supervision and access to a variety of resources will allow you to develop and refine your research. You will also gain professional experience and develop your academic profile through special activities such as conferences and teaching. 

Supervision

When you do a doctorate at a Bavarian university, you will benefit from your supervisor’s support and guidance. If you are in a structured program, you will also profit from opportunities to present your research and get feedback at events such as colloquia, seminars, and conferences.

Setting clear goals and expectations is important for any project, but especially for doctoral research projects. Structured programs will likely have formal guidelines, a set curriculum, and a suggested timeline for your progress.

For individual doctoral studies, you might draft a supervision agreement with your supervisor, which includes a research timeline, work responsibilities (including teaching), and any activities such as publishing papers, or participating in research stays abroad.

Gaining Professional Experience

In Bavaria, you will be able to take advantage of opportunities to expand your professional profile and excel in your career as a researcher. Publishing, editing journals, and organizing conferences are important tasks in academia. Structured doctoral programs often integrate these activities into their curricula to ensure that doctoral candidates get the experience they need to be competitive on the job market. If you are pursuing an individual doctorate, your university’s graduate schools and centers provide similar opportunities.

Teaching is not always a requirement for doctoral candidates. Usually, only doctoral candidates who are employed  by a department are expected to teach, with an average teaching load of five contact hours per week. If you are interested in gaining experience as a university instructor, speak with your supervisor or program coordinator about what options are available. You might be able to teach in English or German . 

Completing Your Doctoral Degree

In order to obtain a doctorate in Bavaria, you need to complete a doctoral thesis, or dissertation, that meets the approval of your supervisor and any other members of your doctoral committee as outlined in your program. Traditionally, the thesis is a monograph that presents your original research. However, there are programs that allow you to submit a cumulative dissertation, which consists of several articles that have been published in reputable journals. Once you have completed your thesis, you will take an oral exam, in which you usually have to defend your dissertation.

The final step of the process is publishing your dissertation. Only then are you allowed to use the well-deserved title of “Doktor.” Your exact title in Germany is based on your discipline. For instance, in the natural sciences you will often take the title of Dr. rer. nat.; in the social sciences, Dr. rer. pol.; and in the humanities, Dr. phil.

Graduate Schools and Graduate Centers

Support for PhD Students

In recent years, German universities have created graduate schools. These provide a structure for doctoral students that encourages them to collaborate, exchange ideas, and share their experiences.

Graduate schools offer an additional curriculum of research workshops, colloquia, and other training opportunities. They often provide financial support for research stays abroad. Participation in these courses can form part of your supervision agreement.

At the department or faculty level, you will also find subject-specific doctoral schools. Some of them have their own budgets and can provide more ample funding for their members.

PhD Funding and Employment Models

Bavaria is invested in research, and you will find plenty of sources of postgraduate funding here. There are different types of funding available for doctoral candidates. During your PhD in Bavaria, you do not need to pay tuition fees.

Scholarships, Fellowships, and Jobs

Scholarships/fellowships for phd candidates.

A scholarship or fellowship from a third party will cover your doctoral research. Thanks to this support, you can fully concentrate on your research project.

Employment as a Research Associate

You are employed by a university either full- or part-time. You divide your time between work responsibilities (teaching, research-related duties for a departmental project, etc.) and your own research. If your position is funded by another body, such as a research funding agency or company, the focus and duration of your employment are defined by the project proposal or agreement with the company.

Employment outside the Research University

You are employed by a non-university research institution or an industry partner. Your specific agreement with your employer will outline your responsibilities and duties, but making progress on your doctorate should be part of the employment arrangement.

Find out more about scholarships and fellowships , job opportunities , and teaching .

Postgraduate Funding and Where to Find It

For specific information about scholarships, fellowships, and jobs for PhD candidates, visit our Funding and Finances section. If you are curious about the salaries of research associates, or how social security and health care factor into your monthly net income, visit our page on Salary and Social Security.

Pursuing a PhD at a University of Applied Sciences?

If you want to pursue your PhD by conducting applied research, a university of applied sciences (UAS) may be just the right place for you. Depending on your research topic and the university you choose, there are several options available to you. Usually, you will be employed at the UAS as a research associate within a third-party R&D or transfer project. There are three different paths to a PhD:

Doing Your PhD at a UAS Doctoral Center

Only recently, some Bavarian universities of applied sciences have been granted the right to confer doctorates in particularly research-strong subject areas.  If your research question matches the research field of one of the UAS doctoral centers, a professor of that center may become your supervisor and evaluate your dissertation. During your PhD the doctoral regulations of your university will apply. Your university will eventually confer your doctorate.

A Doctorate in Cooperation with a Research University

You may also choose to do your PhD at a university of applied sciences in collaboration with a research university. In this case, your supervisor will be a professor at the university of applied sciences and will help you find an additional supervisor at a research university. If your search is successful, you and your supervisors will sign a joint supervision agreement. You may then register to do your PhD at the research university and start working on your doctoral project at the university of applied sciences. In this case, you will need to follow the rules of the doctoral regulations of the corresponding department at the respective research university. 

A Doctorate within a BayWISS Joint Academic Partnership

In order to promote collaboration between universities of applied sciences and research universities, through the Bavarian Academic Forum (BayWISS), Bavaria has introduced thematically grouped platforms, the “BayWISS Joint Academic Partnerships” . Usually, professors of both university types may be members of these platforms. They have equal rights to supervise and evaluate your doctorate. The platforms help connect doctoral candidates who are working in related areas and offer professional development opportunities such as courses on soft skills and research conferences across the spectrum of applied science fields. 

To find out which of these options is best for your research project, contact a professor at your university of applied sciences. At each university , you may also find support at institutions such as graduate schools. Their staff will be glad to answer any questions you may have regarding your doctorate project. 

Life after Your PhD in Bavaria

A doctorate is a stepping-stone to the next phase of your professional career, whether you continue in academia or decide to pursue a career elsewhere. In fact, your goals and priorities will likely shift and clarify over the course of your project. Here is a glimpse of some of the postdoc, start-up and other employment opportunities you will have later in your career in Bavaria.

Postdoctoral Research

If you are pursuing the path of becoming a professor, the next step will be a postdoc position. You should start exploring postdoc opportunities at least a year before you plan to complete your doctorate.

Beyond Academia

Your doctorate will open up many career options. In Bavaria, PhD graduates are in high demand for jobs in business and industry. Perhaps your doctorate has facilitated professional contacts in industry , where a job is already waiting for you. If you are interested in continuing scientific research, you might also consider other careers outside of the university , such as positions at non-university research institutes.

Preparing for professorship at a UAS

If you decide to follow a career in industry but are also interested in teaching, a professorship at a university of applied sciences might be an attractive option for you. To become a professor there, you need to have completed a doctorate and have at least five years’ professional experience working in your field, three of which must have been gained outside the university.

What to Read Next

• Study for a PhD in Germany: Programs, Funding & Opportunities
• International

When considering a  PhD in Germany , you’ll encounter a diverse and globally recognised academic environment rich in opportunities for research and academic growth. To apply, you’ll typically need a Master’s degree or equivalent , and language requirements vary by program. Germany offers internationally-oriented  structured PhD programs , which last three years and include compulsory units for ECTS credits. You’ll work closely with a PhD supervisor and research training group. As an international candidate, you’ll find various  scholarships and grants  to support your studies. With tuition fees waived at  public universities  and diverse PhD programs often taught in English, Germany provides an ideal destination to study abroad.

Key Takeaways

• Applying for a PhD in Germany requires a minimum of eight semesters of academic study, usually a Master’s degree or equivalent.
• Language prerequisites for PhD programs in Germany vary, but many are taught in English, especially structured programs.
• Financial support options include DAAD grants, stipendiums, and research positions at universities, which cover living expenses and provide income.
• Structured PhD programs in Germany last typically three years and involve compulsory units for ECTS credits.
• International students without a Master’s degree may be admitted with a Bachelor’s degree in exceptional cases.

Why Undertake a PhD in Germany?

Germany offers many compelling reasons to pursue a PhD:

• High-quality research and education : German universities and research institutions have an outstanding reputation globally, providing access to cutting-edge research facilities and expertise across various disciplines.
• No tuition fees : Most public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees for PhD students, regardless of nationality, making it an affordable option for international students.
• Excellent funding opportunities : There are numerous scholarships and funding programs available for PhD students in Germany. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) alone supports over 4,000 international doctoral students annually.
• Strong industry connections : Germany has a robust research ecosystem with close ties between academia and industry. Many PhD programs offer collaborations with companies, providing valuable experience and potential career opportunities.
• International environment : German universities welcome international researchers, creating a diverse and multicultural academic community. PhD theses and dissertations can often be written in English.
• Career prospects : A German PhD is highly respected globally and can lead to excellent career opportunities in academia, international research institutions, or industry. Many PhD graduates find employment in Germany’s thriving industrial sector, making it a favourable place to work in Germany post-study.
• Work-life balance : PhD students in Germany typically receive employment contracts with benefits such as health insurance, pension contributions, and vacation days.
• Research freedom : Germany values academic freedom highly, with constitutional protection for research and scientific pursuits.
• European mobility : As a PhD student in Germany, you can easily travel to other European Union countries for research or study purposes.
• Cultural experience : Germany offers a rich cultural landscape, high quality of life, and relatively moderate living costs compared to other developed countries.

In short, Germany provides an ideal environment for pursuing a PhD, combining academic excellence, affordability, strong funding support, and promising career prospects in both academia and industry.

What is it like to study and live in Germany as a research student?

Academic environment.

The research culture in Germany places a strong emphasis on independent research and critical thinking, with high expectations for original contributions to your field. Students regularly participate in seminars and colloquia to present and discuss their ongoing research. Supervision tends to be less structured than in some other countries, with regular meetings with supervisors but an expectation that students will take significant initiative in their work. Being part of a research group often offers additional opportunities for collaboration.

German universities are well-equipped with extensive digital resources and state-of-the-art laboratories. Students also have numerous opportunities to attend and present at international conferences. While many PhD programs, especially in STEM fields, are conducted in English, learning German can greatly enhance your overall experience and career prospects.

Day-to-Day Life

Germany is known for valuing a healthy work-life balance. PhD students typically work 38-40 hours per week and enjoy generous vacation time, usually around 30 days per year. Most PhD students live in shared apartments (WGs) or student dormitories, with rent in major cities ranging from €300 to €800 per month. The country boasts excellent public transportation systems, and many students use bicycles for daily commuting. Often, a student ID includes a public transport ticket for the local area.

The social life for students in Germany is vibrant, with active student communities organising regular events and activities. There are numerous opportunities to join sports clubs, cultural groups, and student organisations, along with international student networks that offer support and socialising opportunities.

Financial Aspects

Many PhD positions in Germany are funded, providing a salary rather than requiring tuition payments. Typical monthly salaries range from €1,500 to €2,500 before taxes. Additional funding opportunities are available through scholarships and research grants. Average monthly expenses, including rent, range from €850 to €1,000, and health insurance, which is mandatory, costs around €80 to €100 per month. Students can also take advantage of various discounts for cultural activities and museums.

Support Services

German universities offer robust support services for abroad students. International offices assist with visa processes, accommodation, and integration, providing orientation programs and language courses. Career services offer guidance on job searching and career development, organising career fairs and networking events. Mental health support and counseling services are also available, ensuring access to quality healthcare through the German health insurance system.

Challenges and Opportunities

While navigating German bureaucracy can be challenging, patience and attention to detail can help manage administrative processes. Initial culture shock is common but typically subsides over time, offering the opportunity to experience German culture and traditions firsthand. Building an international network of researchers and professionals is a significant benefit, with potential collaborations with industry partners. The strong job market for PhD graduates, especially in STEM fields, is an added advantage, and the option to stay in Germany for job searching after graduation (with an 18-month visa extension) provides further opportunities.

The Two Paths to a PhD in Germany

In Germany, doctoral candidates can choose between Individual Doctorates and Structured PhD Programs. The Individual Doctorate remains the most common path, chosen by over 75% of doctoral students, while Structured PhD Programs are gaining popularity, especially among international students, with about 25% opting for this route.

Individual Doctorates: Flexibility and Independence

Supervision and Structure : Individual Doctorates are characterised by their flexibility and self-directed nature. Candidates are supervised by a single professor, known as the Doktorvater or Doktormutter, and the research process is highly flexible. This approach demands a high degree of personal initiative and responsibility, with no fixed curriculum or mandatory coursework.

Research Focus and Duration : In this model, candidates often propose their own research topics, enjoying greater freedom in choosing their research direction and methodology. The duration of an Individual Doctorate typically spans 5-6 years, though there’s no strict timeframe as it depends on individual progress and the specific research project.

Funding and Employment : Individual Doctorate candidates often work as part-time research associates at universities. However, they may need to secure their own funding or scholarships, which requires proactive effort on the part of the doctoral student.

Structured PhD Programs: Guidance and Collaborative Learning

Supervision and Structure : Structured PhD Programs offer a more defined approach to doctoral studies. Candidates are supervised by a team of advisors and follow a predefined curriculum. This model includes regular progress checks, guidance, and mandatory coursework, seminars, and colloquia.

Research Focus and Duration : Research topics in Structured PhD Programs often align with existing program themes or research groups, and candidates may be part of larger research projects or collaborations. These programs are usually completed in 3-4 years, following a more defined timeline due to their structured nature.

Funding and Additional Benefits : Structured PhD Programs often come with funding or stipends and may offer more opportunities for paid doctoral positions. They also provide training in academic and scientific methods, as well as opportunities to develop soft skills such as presentation techniques.

Comparing the Two Approaches

International Orientation : While Individual Doctorates can be conducted in German or other languages depending on the field and supervisor, Structured PhD Programs often have a strong international orientation and frequently use English as the primary language.

Networking and Collaboration : Structured PhD Programs offer extensive opportunities to broaden research networks and encourage collaboration with peers and interdisciplinary work. In contrast, networking in Individual Doctorates depends largely on individual initiative, with fewer built-in opportunities for peer collaboration.

Entry Requirements for undertaking a PhD in Germany

The entry requirements for undertaking a PhD in Germany are generally similar for both home and international students, with some additional steps for international applicants.

Here are the specific requirements:

General Requirements for All Applicants

• A master’s degree or equivalent (e.g., German Staatsexamen) in a relevant field
• Strong academic record, typically with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Research Proposal : A detailed outline of your intended research topic , objectives, methodology, and significance
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) : Highlighting academic achievements, research experience, publications, and relevant qualifications
• Statement of Purpose : Explaining your motivation for pursuing a PhD , academic goals, and how the program aligns with your objectives
• Academic References : Letters of recommendation or contact information for professors/advisors who can attest to your academic abilities
• Master’s Thesis : A copy of your master’s thesis or equivalent research work
• For German-taught programs: TestDaF or DSH certificates
• For English-taught programs: TOEFL or IELTS scores
• Interview : Many programs include an interview stage

Additional Requirements for International Students

• Qualification Recognition : Ensure your foreign degree is recognised in Germany. You may need to submit your credentials to uni-assist for evaluation
• Visa Application : Apply for a student visa at the German embassy in your home country
• Health Insurance : Obtain valid health insurance coverage for Germany
• Residence Permit : Apply for a residence permit for study upon arrival in Germany

Application process for applying to a PhD in Germany

The application process for a PhD degree in Germany can vary depending on whether you’re pursuing an individual doctorate or a structured PhD program, and whether you’re a home or international student.

Here are the key steps and requirements:

General Application Process

• Choose your path : Decide between an individual doctorate (traditional route) or a structured PhD program.
• A master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field
• Strong academic record (typically a GPA of 3.0 or higher)
• Proficiency in English and/or German, depending on the program
• For individual doctorates, contact potential supervisors directly
• For structured programs, search for openings at universities or research institutions
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Copy of your master’s degree certificate
• Master’s thesis (or a copy)
• Research proposal
• Statement of purpose
• Academic references
• Language proficiency certificates (e.g., TestDaF, DSH for German; TOEFL, IELTS for English)
• Follow the specific guidelines of the university or program
• Applications may be submitted online or by post
• Many programs, especially structured ones, include an interview stage
• This may be in person or via video conference

Considerations for International Students

International students face some additional steps and requirements:

• Qualification recognition : Ensure your foreign degree is recognised in Germany. You may need to submit your credentials to uni-assist for evaluation.
• Provide proof of German proficiency (TestDaF or DSH) for German-taught programs
• For English-taught programs, submit TOEFL or IELTS scores
• Apply for a student visa at the German embassy in your home country
• You’ll need an admission letter from a German university
• Health insurance : Obtain valid health insurance coverage for Germany
• Residence permit : Apply for a residence permit for study purposes upon arrival in Germany. This typically lasts for two years and is extendable.

Application Process for Structured PhD Programs

Structured programs often have a more formalised application process:

• Check for specific application deadlines, which may occur once or twice a year
• Submit initial application materials online
• Visits to the institution
• Meetings with potential supervisors and current students
• A short presentation of your previous research
• A panel interview

Application Process for Individual Doctorates

For individual doctorates, the process is more flexible:

• Identify a potential supervisor whose research aligns with your interests
• Contact the professor directly with a brief inquiry
• If the professor expresses interest, submit a full application including your research proposal
• The professor may invite you for an interview or further discussion
• If accepted, you’ll need to formally enroll at the university

Remember that the specific requirements and processes can vary between universities and programs. Always check the official website of the institution you’re applying to for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Typical Cost of a PhD in Germany

The costs of pursuing a PhD in Germany are generally similar for both home and international students, with a few key differences:

Tuition Fees

• Most public universities in Germany charge no tuition fees for PhD students, regardless of nationality
• There is a small semester contribution (administrative fee) of up to €300 per semester for all students, which typically covers student services and public transport

Living Costs

• The average annual living costs in Germany range from €10,200 to €12,000
• This includes rent, food, health insurance, and other daily expenses
• Costs can be higher in major cities like Munich or Berlin

Breakdown of Monthly Expenses (approximate)

• Rent: €280-€400 (shared flat or student residence)
• Health insurance: €80-€100
• Public transport: Often included in semester contribution
• Other expenses (phone, internet, leisure): €100-€200

Visa for International Students

• Non-EU students must prove they have access to about €11,208 per year (€934 per month) to cover living costs as part of their visa application.
• Visa application fee: approximately €75

Health Insurance

• Mandatory for all students, including PhD candidates
• Costs around €80-€100 per month
• EU students may be covered by their home country’s insurance through agreements

Additional Costs

• Research-related expenses (e.g., conference attendance, materials) are often covered by the research group or university
• Language courses (if needed): €200-€500 per course

In short, the main costs for PhD students in Germany are living expenses, as tuition is generally free. The overall experience is affordable compared to many other countries, especially considering the lack of tuition fees. International students should factor in additional costs for visa applications and potentially language courses. However, with many funded positions available, pursuing a PhD in Germany can be financially viable for both home and international students.

Funding Sources for PhD students in Germany

Many PhD positions in Germany are funded, offering a salary (of typically €1,500-€2,500 per month before taxes) rather than requiring payment of fees.

The main funding sources and opportunities for PhD students in Germany include:

• Doctoral Programmes in Germany: Supports international PhD students to complete their doctoral degree at a German university or research institution. Provides monthly payments of 1,300 euros, health insurance, travel allowance, and annual research allowance.
• One-Year Grants: For international doctoral candidates to carry out research as part of a doctoral project for up to one year.
• Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees/Cotutelle: Supports doctoral degrees at the student’s home university with integrated research phases in Germany.
• Research Training Groups: Established by universities to promote early career researchers. Funded for up to 9 years, providing structured training and qualification programs.
• Collaborative Research Centres: Offer opportunities for PhD students to pursue research across disciplines and institutions.
• Individual Doctoral Projects at Max Planck Institutes
• International Max Planck Research Schools ( IMPRS ): Structured PhD programs at 68 locations
• Max Planck Schools: Joint graduate programs in specific interdisciplinary fields
• Individual Doctoral Projects at Leibniz Institutes
• Leibniz Graduate Schools and Leibniz ScienceCampi: Structured doctoral programs
• Individual Doctoral Projects at Fraunhofer Institutes: Opportunity to complete a doctorate while working on cutting-edge technology projects
• DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships: For PhD students in fields like space, aeronautics, energy, and transport
• PhD Fellowships: For early career researchers in basic biomedical research
• Travel Grants: For PhD students and postdoctoral researchers
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks: Structured doctoral training within European institution networks
• ERA Fellowships – Green Hydrogen: Funding for research projects in green hydrogen
• Green Talents: Competition winners can complete a research stay at a German institution
• Munich Aerospace PhD Scholarships: For research in aerospace-related fields
• Many PhD positions are offered directly by universities and research institutes, often tied to specific research projects or programs
• These typically provide a salary (often around 1,500-2,500 euros per month before taxes) rather than requiring payment of fees

Top Universities in Germany for PhD study

As of 2024, the top universities in Germany for PhD study in STEM subjects include:

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

• Ranked as the best university in Germany for engineering and technology
• Offers structured PhD programs through the TUM Graduate School
• Known for excellence in research and strong industry connections
• Provides interdisciplinary training and professional skills development for doctoral candidates

Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin)

• Ranked 2nd in Germany for engineering and technology
• Offers doctorates across various STEM fields through its Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• Provides structured support for international doctoral candidates
• Known for interdisciplinary research and collaboration

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

• Ranked 3rd in Germany for engineering and technology
• Strong focus on energy, mobility, and information technologies
• Offers both individual and structured doctoral programs
• Emphasises international collaboration and industry partnerships

RWTH Aachen University

• Ranked 4th in Germany for engineering and technology
• Considers doctoral studies as the first part of professional practice, with an application-oriented focus
• Offers both individual doctorates and structured PhD programs
• Strong emphasis on industry partnerships and applied research

Technical University of Dresden

• Ranked 5th in Germany for engineering and technology
• Known for its research in microelectronics, materials science, and bioengineering
• Offers structured PhD programs and graduate schools
• Strong focus on interdisciplinary research and innovation

When choosing a university for PhD study, prospective students should consider factors such as:

• Specific research areas and expertise of potential supervisors
• Availability of funding or paid positions (many PhD students in Germany work as research assistants)
• Language requirements (some programs require German proficiency, while others are conducted in English)
• Opportunities for international collaboration and research stays abroad
• Post-graduation career prospects and industry connections

Prospective PhD candidates should thoroughly research potential supervisors and reach out to them directly to discuss research opportunities before applying to a program.

Your journey to  PhD study  in Germany awaits. With its exceptional research landscape, structured programs taught in English, and excellent  funding opportunities , Germany offers a unique experience for international students.

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Doctoral Training in Heidelberg

Heidelberg University offers its PhD candidates a wide range of doctoral programmes with diverse levels of structuring – individual doctoral training, small and medium-sized training groups, or large Graduate Schools.

• Forms of Doctoral Training
• Doctoral Guidelines
• Structured Doctoral Programmes

The team at the Graduate Academy Service Point provides doctoral candidates from all faculties of Heidelberg University with comprehensive advice and services.

• Service Point of the Graduate Academy
• Dean’s Offices of the Faculties

The Graduate Academy assists doctoral candidates in their search and application for various types of funding.

• Doctoral Fellowships
• Fellowships in Structured Doctoral Programmes

The Graduate Academy of Heidelberg University offers doctoral candidates a seminar programme tailored to their specific needs and a wide range of further education opportunities.

• Seminar Programme for Doctoral Candidates
• Qualification and Further Training for Postdoctoral Researchers

International doctoral training

The Graduate Academy supports cooperation with international institutions and assists doctoral candidates in finding funding for research trips abroad.

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The Graduate Academy offers information on support and offers of assistance.

Digital resources for doctoral candidates

The Graduate Academy has assembled a collection of online workshops and digital resources for self-study, which we will be updating continuously from now on. Visit our website to complete information about our digital program.

Places available

The course programme is open for registration. Further information on available places can be found on the Graduate Academy’s website.

Academic writing in English / German for doctoral candidates

The aim of the course is to support doctoral candidates who are not native speakers of English or German and who are writing their dissertation in English or German.

German Language Course

German Language Courses for doctoral candidates begin each April and October. Please see our website for more information.

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How to Find Your PhD Position in Germany

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• PhD Study in Germany – 2024

Germany’s historic and highly-ranked universities make it an excellent choice for studying abroad. Having offered the PhD since the nineteenth century, they know a thing or two about delivering innovative, high-quality postgraduate programmes. Best of all, most universities do not charge tuition fees.

Why study a PhD in Germany?

• Globally ranked institutions – Germany is home to more globally-ranked institutions than any other country outside the USA and UK. Nine of them feature in the current top 100
• Dedicated research institutes – Germany is also home to networks of dedicated research centres. These include the prestigious Max Planck Institutes , as well as specific collaborations between universities and research institutes.
• Max Planck Schools – The Max Planck Schools is a network that brings together experts from different institutions to address joint research objectives. They bring together international PhD students with Germany's best scientists. Research takes place in three interdisciplinary fields: Cognition , Matter to Life and Photonics . The Schools offer fully financed PhD positions. Candidates benefit from unique expertise, infrastructure and training opportunities.
• Affordability – Most German universities charge no tuition fees for PhD students, regardless of nationality.
• The home of the PhD – The PhD (in its modern form as a thesis-based research degree) was actually developed in Germany. Perhaps this ‘original contribution to knowledge’ can help inspire yours?

Structure of a PhD in Germany

The doctoral degree – based on independent research towards an extended thesis – was, in fact, a German innovation . This format is still offered at most universities, but some also offer more ‘structured’ programmes:

• The traditional PhD – you will pursue a research project independently with the guidance of an expert supervisor (Doktorvater / Doktomutter). The candidate chooses the institution where they would like to conduct their research. This could be at a university or non-university organisation, or within a German company. It is a more flexible and independent PhD with no compulsory attendance or set curriculum.
• Structured doctoral programmes – these are conducted largely in English and are internationally-oriented. You will complete additional training alongside your thesis. This might include collaborations and placements with external research institutes. It might include compulsory lectures, seminars and assessments. You’ll also have to attend skills training in research/scientific methods.

In general, both types of programmes will involve conducting a research project and writing a thesis. The majority of PhD candidates complete the traditional doctorate. However, a growing number are choosing structured programmes – especially in the natural sciences and mathematics.

How long does a PhD in Germany last?

A traditional PhD usually takes four years , compared to three years for a structured doctoral programme. The academic year in Germany is usually comprised of two semesters with the Wintersemester running from 1 October to 31 March and Sommersemester running from 1 April to 30 September.

Assessments during a PhD in Germany

The assessment procedure for a German PhD depends on the type of programme you pursue. Students following a traditional PhD will submit a doctoral thesis. They will also complete an oral presentation and examination of their work (Rigosorum) . This takes place in front of at least two professors in related fields.

If you choose a structured programme you will need to complete several compulsory units to attain the 180-240 ECTS credits required for PhD students. You will be assessed on your knowledge of course content delivered in lectures and seminars.

Think Germany could be your study abroad destination of choice? Check out more information on applications, fees, funding and visas below.

Think you’re ready to find the perfect project for you?

Search our database of PhD programmes in Germany .

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

This guide tells you all about everything you need to apply for a PhD programme in Germany.

There are no fees for PhD study at most German universities and funding is available from a range of government agencies, research societies and other organisations.

Want to study a PhD in Ireland? This guide gives a detailed introduction to the kind of visa you need to study in Ireland and how to apply for it.

Everything you need to know about part-time and full-time work in Germany as a student or recent graduate in Germany.

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List of Free Phd Programs In Germany

Mar 4, 2024 | 5 min read

Free PhD programs in Germany are offered at public universities to all students regardless of their nationality, for up to the standard length of a PhD (3 years).

International students looking for free PhD programs in Germany can check out public universities in Germany that offer free PhD programs to all students regardless of their nationality, for up to the standard length of a PhD (3 years). PhD programs are free also in the state of Baden-Württemberg where tuition fees were reintroduced for non-EU students in 2017.

Germany is one of the most popular study abroad destinations and is home to around 3,600 international graduates completing their doctorate every year. Having first introduced the PhD in the 19th century, German universities and specialist research centres continue to offer innovative, tuition-free, postgraduate programs in various specializations to students from all over the world.

Table of Contents

Why Study a PhD in Germany?

Types of free phd programs in germany, top universities for free phd programs in germany, eligibility requirements for free phd programs in germany, how to apply for free phd programs in germany, cost to study free phd programs in germany, scholarships for free phd programs in germany.

Germany has a global reputation as a world leader in technology innovation and research. It also has a robust economy and an attractive quality of life and is particularly renowned in fields such as engineering and manufacturing. Some reasons to study a PhD in Germany include:

• Several German universities have a strong international reputation of which 46 are ranked within the top 1000 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2020
• Germany offers a high standard of living and welcomes international students with low costs of study and good funding opportunities
• PhD in Germany is usually tuition-free and more than a quarter of doctoral candidates in Germany receive public funding
• The German higher education system is also world-class that has produced some of history’s most formidable thinkers such as theoretical physicist Albert Einstein

There are two types of free PhD programs in Germany depending on their structure and their provider. More detailed information on each type of PhD in Germany can be found below:

Individual Doctorate: This traditional PhD program in Germany is the most popular where students produce their thesis or dissertation under the supervision of a professor, but will mostly be working independently. The duration of this doctoral program varies but usually takes between 3-5 years.

The individual doctorate is known for being flexible but also demands a high amount of personal initiative and responsibility. One can not only obtain a PhD degree by conducting research work at a university but also by completing a project at a non-university research organization or at a German company in the industrial sector.

Structured PhD Programs: These free PhD programs in Germany involves a group of doctoral students being guided by a group of supervisors. Over 600 programs are available for international students with English as the language of instruction.

The structured PhD programs differ from the individual doctorate programs as the research proposals of the students have to fit in with existing PhD programs and cannot be freely structured to suit the individual research project. Students are also required to attend lectures and seminars, and will normally have a mentor.

Several universities in Germany are ranked globally for their PhD programs by various ranking organisations such as Times Higher Education, QS Rankings, and more. Listed below are some of the top universities for free PhD programs in Germany for international students:

• Technical University of Munich
• Heidelberg University
• Humboldt University of Berlin
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
• University of Goettingen
• University of Freiburg
• Free University of Berlin
• RWTH Aachen University

The eligibility criteria for free PhD programs in Germany vary based on the university and chosen program. In general, students need to have a good higher education degree which is equivalent to a German master’s degree. Find below the other admission requirements for enrolling in free PhD programs in Germany:

• An entrance exam and interview is needed to enrol extremely well-qualified international applicants with a bachelor’s degree to a doctoral degree program in Germany via a fast-track program
• Students applying for a PhD in English need to prove their English language proficiency with an English language proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL
• Candidates studying or submitting their PhD in German need to prove their proficiency in the language with a test such as the DSH or TestDaF

Documents Required

• Master’s degree from a recognized institution
• Proof of language proficiency (English/ German)
• Motivation letter
• Work experience

The application process differs for admission to an individual doctoral program and a structured doctoral program. Students applying for a structured PhD program should apply directly to the chosen university. The steps below explain the procedure to be followed for admission to an individual doctorate program in Germany:

• Applicants should firstly find a suitable professor who is willing to be their supervisor
• The supervisor can be found through contacts from your previous university or by searching for institutes and research centres or teams related to your area of interest
• The next step after finding a supervisor is to get the confirmation of eligibility as a doctoral candidate from the responsible department or doctoral committee
• For this, one must complete an application that includes a statement from your doctoral supervisor, certified copies of certificates, proof of recognition of your qualifications from the Dean’s office, academic references and the university degree
• The application should also include an English or German language test result, if applicable

Doctoral programs at public universities in Germany are free for all students irrespective of their nationality for up to the standard length of a PhD (3 years). Students may be required to pay the fees if the doctoral degree exceeds this duration.

Students pursuing free PhD programs in Germany are required to make a semester contribution of between €150 to €200 (~US$175-230) for administration and other costs like all other students. The main expenses for free PhD programs in Germany are living expenses.

International students applying for a student visa for Germany need to have access to a minimum of €10,236 (~US$11,266) per year in a blocked account. This amount covers the living expenses, which include rent, food, clothing, transportation, working materials, recreation and other costs.

Most doctoral students in Germany work on a paid research project or receive a scholarship. Students willing to obtain a scholarship to cover their living expenses in Germany can find various funding options on the official website of the university they wish to study at.

Students pursuing free PhD programs in Germany can also take a part-time job to supplement their funding, either within the university or outside. Full-time students from outside the EU are limited to working up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year before applying for a work permit. One can also receive graduate assistantships and fellowships from their university as well as public funding provided by the German government.

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European PhD in Socio-Economic and Statistical Studies

The European PhD in Socio-Economic and Statistical Studies (Sess.EuropePhD) is an international, interdisciplinary graduate program which builds upon the cooperation between nine partner universities in Europe and Israel. Sess.EuroPhD is coordinated by the Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences at HU. The program’s aim is the development of knowledge regarding the interplay of economic and social phenomena based on empirical research by adopting the most appropriate and advanced statistical methods.

Research Areas

• Methodological aspects of socio-economic research
• The interrelationship between economic and social structure
• Processes of change in economic organizations and institutions
• Labor markets, employment, and inequality
• Welfare state analysis and social security
• Economic and social inequality and perceptions of social justice

Research Collaboration

The following partner universities are currently admitting and training Sess.EuroPh.D candidates:

• Universitat de Barcelona
• Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
• Eötvös Loránd University Budapest
• University of Haifa
• Sapienza Università di Roma
• University of Southampton
• University of Tampere
• Higher School of Economics in Moskau

Prof. Dr Bernhard Weßels Dr Martin Nagelschmidt Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin graduate programme programme’s organisations

socio-economic research, labor markets, employment, inequality, Welfare state, social security, perceptions of social justice

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