Why study a PhD in Germany?

Its not difficult to see why Germany is popular as a study destination. It enjoys a global
reputation as a world leader for technology innovation and research, has a robust economy and
an attractive quality of life, and a particularly renowned tradition in fields such as engineering
and manufacturing.
Many German universities enjoy a strong international reputation, with 43 ranked featured
among the worlds top 800 in the QS World University Rankings 2015/16. Among these, the
prestigious research university Technische Universitt Mnchen is ranked first in Germany and
60th in the world, followed by Ruprecht-Karls-Universitaet Heidelberg in 66th place.
As well as offering a high standard of living, Germany welcomes international students with low
costs of study and good funding opportunities. PhDs in Germany do not usually charge tuition
fees (see below), and more than a quarter of doctoral candidates in Germany receive public
funding.

What types of PhD are offered in Germany?

Individual doctorate
This is the traditional option and remains the most popular. In this type of PhD you will produce
your thesis or dissertation under the supervision of a professor, but you will mostly be working
independently. The length of these PhDs varies, generally lasting three to five years. This option
offers a great deal of flexibility, but also demands a high amount of personal initiative and
responsibility. You are not limited to gaining your PhD by conducting research work at a
university; you could also complete a project at a non-university research organization or at a
German company in the industrial sector.
Structured PhD programs
You can also choose what is known as a structured PhD program. This involves a group of
doctoral students being guided by a group of supervisors. There are over 700 programs of this
nature available in Germany, often with an international make-up, with English as the team
language. These programs differ from individual doctorate programs as students research
proposals have to fit in with existing PhD programs, whereas individual doctorates can be more
freely structured to suit the individual research project.

Which German universities offer PhDs?

Many universities in Germany offer PhDs. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
offers a database which you can use to search for the right PhD program for you.

How much does it cost to study a PhD in Germany?

Good news! Although masters courses in Germany are not free unless you have studied your
undergraduate degree in the country, at PhD level, tuition is once again free at all universities in
Germany for the first six semesters at least. As at all levels of study in Germany, PhD students
are also required to make a semester contribution of between 150 (~US$170) and 200
(US$230) to cover administration and other costs.
This means your main expenses will be the general costs of living in Germany. If you need to
apply for a student visa, you will be asked to prove that you have access to a minimum of 8,000
(US$8,990) per year. However, according to statistics published by the German Studentenwerk,
this figure may not be a sufficient amount, as the average student in Germany needs about 820
(US$921) per month to cover living expenses, including rent, food, clothing, transportation,
working materials, recreation and other costs.

Is there any funding available?

Most doctoral students work on a paid research project or receive a scholarship. If you want to
apply for a scholarship to help with your expenses, you may be able to find these through the
official website of the university you wish to study at. You can also consult our list of
scholarships to study in Germany, including PhD funding opportunities.
You may also consider taking on a part-time job to supplement your funding, either within the
university or beyond but be aware of any possible restrictions. If you are a full-time EU or
EEA student (excluding students from Bulgaria and Romania), there are no restrictions on where
or when you can work. If you are a full-time student from outside of the EU (or from Romania
and Bulgaria), you will be limited to working up to 190 full days or 240 half days per year before
you must apply for a work permit. Upon gaining paid work in Germany you should contact the
German employment office to learn about the legal conditions.

What are the entry requirements?

Entry requirements will vary between universities and PhD programs, but generally you will
need to have a good higher education degree which is equivalent to a German masters degree.
Alternatively, extremely well-qualified international applicants with a bachelors degree may be
admitted as doctoral students via a fast-track program, which will involve taking an entrance
exam and perhaps attending an interview.
If you are studying your PhD in English and this is not your first language, you will need to
prove your English language proficiency with an English language test such as IELTS or
TOEFL. If you are studying or submitting your PhD in German, you may need to prove your
proficiency in the language with a test such as the DSH or TestDaF.

How do I apply for a PhD in Germany?

In Germany there is no central admissions process or selection office for doctoral students.
Therefore, you will first need to find a suitable professor who is willing to be your supervisor.
You may be able to find a supervisor through contacts from your own university, or by searching
for institutes and research centers or teams which relate to your area of interest. The following
online search platforms might help you find a suitable supervisor:

DAAD

PhD Germany

Hochschulkompass.de

academics.de

Once you have found a supervisor, the responsible department or doctoral committee must
confirm your eligibility as a doctoral candidate. This usually involves completing an application
which includes a statement from your doctoral supervisor, certified copies of certificates and the
university degree that enables you to participate in doctoral study. Your application may also
include an English or German language test result, if applicable. The Student Office of your
chosen university will review these documents and grant permission for you to commence
doctoral studies.
The next step is to enroll at the university. To be eligible for enrolment, the university must first
accept your application for admission to doctoral studies. However, not all departments require
doctoral applicants to formally enroll. You can find any requirements relating to enrolment on the
universitys official website.
You must also make sure your postgraduate degree is recognized, obtain a residence permit
and/or student visa, and ensure you have adequate finances for your stay.

Do I need a student visa?

This will depend on your country of origin. Many students will find that they do not need a
student visa, but do need a residence permit. You can read more about obtaining a German
student visa here, or find an overview of the countries for which a student visa is or isnt required
on the Foreign Federal Offices website.

Do I need to speak German?

No. Although being able to speak German would be useful in your host country, if you are
studying an individual doctorate, the doctoral thesis can often be written in English, while
structured PhD programs frequently allow students to complete their doctorate in English.