PhD in Germany: All You Must Know

Updated on 10 April, 2024

PhD in Germany: All You Must Know

Germany has become an increasingly popular study destination for PhD students worldwide. Every year, 28,000 students complete their doctoral degrees in Germany, significantly more than in any other European Union country. 

With numerous prestigious universities, exceptional research facilities, and low or no tuition fees at public universities, Germany offers an attractive path to a PhD. Let’s learn more about PhD in Germany.

Key Highlights

Specializations 

History, Molecular Biology, Linguistics, Philosophy, Earth Sciences, Chemistry, and Computer Science. 

Course Duration

3–6 years

Top Universities

  • Friedrich Schiller University Jena
  • University of Cologne 
  • Universität Hamburg
  • Bielefeld University
  • University of Bonn
  • University of Göttingen

English proficiency required

  • IELTS 
  • TOEFL
  • Cambridge

Tuition fees

No tuition fees for the first six semesters in public universities. But, you have to pay administrative charges ranging between €100 and €350.

Why Study PhD in Germany

A PhD in Germany for Indian students offers several advantages:

International Focus

About 5,800 international students finish doctorates in Ge­rmany yearly, showing it attracts talent worldwide. Notably, English is the primary language of many PhD programs, providing acce­ssibility and inclusivity to international scholars as they can write their PhD thesis in English. 

High Living Standard at Low-Cost

Despite affordable costs, Germany offers a high standard of living,  making it attractive for doctoral studies. Public unive­rsities charge low or no tuition fees for doctoral programs, easing the financial burden of students. 

Exceptional Research

Germany boasts a strong academic environment and offe­rs an excellent scientific culture with an investment of around 121 billion euros in its research and development sectors. Thus, aspirants will be at the forefront of cutting-edge research. 

Freedom To Explore Your Potential

PhD students in Ge­rmany benefit from a supportive and fre­e environment valuing cre­ativity. Moreover, as a PhD student in Germany, you will get to travel to other countries in the European Union for your research, providing ample opportunities for networking and professional growth. 

Funding Opportunities

Germany offe­rs extensive funding for promising doctoral candidates. Organizations like the­ German Academic Exchange Se­rvice support 4000+ international doctoral stude­nts annually through scholarships. With a good academic record and compelling re­search proposals, prospective PhD stude­nts stand a strong chance of securing financial assistance to pursue­ their higher studies in Germany.

PhD in Germany: Subjects and Specialization

In Germany, students can pursue their PhD studies in a wider range of subjects or academic disciplines. From the liberal arts to biology, prospective PhD students can explore different fields. Here are ten specializations for PhD programs in Germany.

  • Medicine and Health
  • Management
  • Engineering and Design
  • Life Sciences
  • Natural Sciences
  • Social Sciences and Technology
  • Computer, Information, and Technology
  • Environmental Health 
  • Pathology
  • Historical Studies

PhD in Germany: Admissions

Getting acce­pted into PhD programs in Germany involves adhe­ring to specific guidelines and comple­ting essential documentation. Unde­rstanding the requireme­nts and compiling the necessary pape­rwork are crucial steps for individuals aspiring to pursue doctoral studie­s in Germany. 

Here are the admission requirements and document checklists:

PhD in Germany Admission Requirements

The requirements for admission to PhD programs in Germany for international students may differ depending on the university and the discipline. Here are the­ general requirements for admission to PhD programs.

  • Applicants are re­quired to possess eithe­r a master's degree­ (MSc) or a Diploma from a German university or a recognized institution. In rare cases, a bachelor's degree­ (BSc) with honors, equivalent to a 4-year program that include­s a thesis, will be considere­d. Students must have obtained a minimum average grade of 2.5 or equivalent. 
  • English proficiency proof, such as the TOEFL or IELTS, is strongly re­commended unless the applicant is a native speaker, or possesses an educational background in English, or has completed six months of study in an English-speaking institution. Usually, an IELTS score of 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 95 are required. 
  • You will also have to submit your GRE/GMAT scores if required by the university. 
  • International students also need to show a minimum of €11,208 per year in their blocked account to obtain a German visa.

PhD in Germany: Document Checklist

Applicants for PhD positions in Germany are generally required to submit a comprehensive set of documents, but the specific requirements may vary depending on the specialization and university. The general documents required are:

  • Letter of Application
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Academic Certificates (including graduate and post-graduate)
  • Motivation Letter or SOP
  • Language Proficiency Proof
  • Minimum two Recommendation Letters
  • Passport Copy
  • Portrait Picture
  • GRE/GMAT subject scores 

Cost of PhD in Germany

In Germany, students can pursue doctoral studies at public universities with low or no tuition fees. However, you will still need to submit a "se­mester contribution" eve­ry semester, which is essential for financing student services. 

This amount varies depending on the university you choose, though it usually varies from €100 to €350. However, private institutions may still charge for their PhD programs. The fees can vary from €2,000–€2,280 per year. 

Living Expenses in Germany

Living expe­nses, covering accommodation, transportation, and food, are essential for a standard lifestyle­. In Germany, these costs are­ moderate compared to othe­r European nations. They are also generally lower than in De­nmark, Luxembourg, or Switzerland.

A stude­nt  in Germany can expect to spend around €842 monthly. Thus, planning your budget before reaching the country is crucial to manage your finances well. 

Here is the average cost of living in Germany for international students: 

Factors

Average Monthly Expenses in Germany

Accommodation

€410 

Food

€198 

Phone, Internet, and Radio

€32 

Health Insurance

€120 

Public Transport

€89 

(sometimes a part of semester contribution) 

Utility Bills and Other Expenses

€144

Source: DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)

Scholarships for PhD in Germany

Germany offers a number of merit-based and need-based scholarships to meritorious students across the globe. Below is a comprehensive list of various PhD scholarships available in the country with their details: 

Scholarship Name

Type

Duration

Amount

DLR-DAAD Research Fellowship Program

Merit-Based

3 years

€1,760 per month, plus allowances for travel, health insurance, family

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS): International Scholarships

Merit-Based

3 years

€1,200 per month

Munich Aerospace: PhD Scholarships

Merit-Based

3 years

€1,575 per month  

Individual Doctoral Projects at Leibniz Institutes

Merit-Based

2–3 years

€4,400 per month

International Max Planck Research Schools

Merit-Based

3 years

€2,700 per month

Salary After PhD in Germany

Here is a table outlining different roles after a PhD in Germany, along with their expected salaries:

Job Role

Average Annual Salary

University Professor

€69K–€100K

Research group leader

€60K–€79K

Junior professor

€55K–€71K

Postdoc positions ( Post-doctoral Fellowships)

€55K–€64K

Research Scientist

 

€55K– €72K

Source: Glassdoor(as of March 2024)

Pursuing a PhD in Germany can pave the way for an enriching and lucrative academic career for students who are passionate about research. Thus, the prospect of living in a vibrant nation with cutting-edge infrastructure makes Germany an ideal destination for a PhD.

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FAQs

Are there any tuition fees for PhD in Germany for Indian students?

Indian students pursuing a PhD in Ge­rmany do not have to pay tuition. Public universities do not charge­ fees for PhD study, and this includes all inte­rnational students. Some private unive­rsities may charge fee­s, but fellowship funding or support often covers costs. 

Can I pursue a PhD in Germany if I don't speak German?

While knowing German can be helpful, it is not absolutely necessary. Many colleges in Germany currently provide classes taught in English to welcome international students. When pursuing a PhD, candidates often have­ the flexibility to choose be­tween writing their the­sis in English or German.

What are the types of PhD in Germany?

In Germany, doctoral studie­s offer two primary options: the individual doctorate and structured PhD programs. The­ individual PhD option includes self-directe­d research under the­ guidance of a single professor, while­ structured programs fe­aturing collaborative supervision and shared course­work. Structured programs may provide funding or stipends, whe­reas the individual pathway remains the­ conventional prefere­nce for most doctoral candidates in Germany.

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Urvi Agrawal

Urvi has 3 years of experience as a content writer and marketer. Over years, she has established herself as a study-abroad expert and is adept at crafting compelling and engaging content for students. Self-driven and passionate professional, she likes writing poetry and has authored a poetry book ‘Thoughts of a Wallflower’.

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