FAQ

In 2006, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research launched the initiative “Research in Germany”, which is carried out by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)  and the DLR Project Management Agency.

‘Research in Germany' is neither a university nor a research institution and it does not perform any research. Our aim is to provide an overview of the research landscape in Germany as well as its opportunities (e.g., how to do a PhD) and information on funding programmes. Read more  About us @ research-in-germany.org

We are present on different social media platforms and publishing a newsletter. Follow us to stay up to date on the latest research news, job opportunities, funding programmes and more!

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To find events in your area please check the website of your local DAAD office.

We regularly publish research-related news here.

If you wish to submit your news to our editorial team, please use this online form.

We regularly publish career opportunities on our social media channels, as well as on the PhDGermany database.

If you wish to submit your call to our editorial team, please use this online form (only in German).

Although some of the funding programmes presented on our website include funding for research stays abroad, our focus lies on funding opportunities for research in Germany.

While we can offer you information on funding opportunities, ‘Research in Germany’ is not a funding organisation and does not offer any scholarships or grants.

For more information on funding, check out:

• Funding organisations
• Funding for PhD students
• Funding for postdocs
• Funding for experienced researchers

You can find all degree programmes offered at German universities at the Higher Education Compass.

For more information on studying in Germany check out Study in Germany.

German universities do not currently offer the degree 'M.phil'.

If you are looking for a Master’s programme or structured PhD then check out the Higher Education Compass. This database includes all degree programmes offered at German higher education institutions.

To get information about recognition of your degree(s), please visit this website.

While we can’t help you directly, we have compiled some useful information on funding opportunities for refugees, how to get your degrees recognized and where to get personal advice here.

For information on how to find the right internship, the legal framework and more please visit this site on work placements in Germany provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Students of engineering and sciences can also find an internship with IAESTE and students of economics at AIESEC.

If you decide to do a doctorate in Germany, you can choose between different forms. Depending on your discipline, research area, personal circumstances and formal qualifications, there are two different paths. Get started on your journey by finding out which PhD model is right for you here.

The individual doctorate is the traditional method in Germany. You need to find a professor who is willing to supervise your PhD thesis and you can freely arrange a research topic and working time. Although the overall duration is usually not set at the beginning it usually takes 3 to 5 years.

In recent years, structured PhD programmes have become more common and resemble those in the Anglo-Saxon world. In a structured PhD programme you are part of a larger group of PhD students who all start together and work in a field of research that is set by the programme coordinators. Most programmes last 3 years.

Find out more here.

To find an individual PhD position suited to you, you must first find out which universities or institutes conduct research in your field. Here are some helpful resources:

• The 'Research Map' offered by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) allows you to search for the German universities where your research area is available.
• You can also use 'GERiT - German Research Institutions', a database containing over 25,000 research institutes.
• The CHE University Ranking also enables you to search for universities by subject or by city.
• The online database 'Higher Education Compass' allows you to search specific research fields and find institutes you can apply to if you wish to earn a PhD.

For more information check out this section on our website.

Follow us on X and Facebook (registration is optional) for regular updates on new PhD positions.

While we can’t find a supervisor for you, we are happy to provide you with resources and advice for your search.

Check out the section on finding your individual doctorate here for information on how to find a supervisor, get tips for your application and watch our online talk “Ask a professor” for useful information. 

There are numerous graduate schools in Germany that offer ideal working conditions to international doctoral students. The following link will take you to a list of all the graduate schools funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

If you're interested in structured PhD programmes taught in English, take a look at this database by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). It contains over 300 PhD Programmes.

You can find more databases to help you with your search here.

Unfortunately, we are not aware of any structured PhD programmes with a distance-learning option available in Germany at this time.

Doing an individual 'long-distance PhD' is only possible by prior arrangement - providing you find a professor who supports the plan and agrees to be your supervisor. You should also check with the university to see whether they require PhD candidates to have a residence in Germany.

While it’s generally possible to do your PhD on a part-time basis, it largely depends on your individual situation. Factors such as your PhD structure, funding, work contract or your visa all come into play.

After you find a programme or position that interests you, it’s best to contact the university or institute to discuss the possibility of doing your PhD on a part-time basis.

Universities of applied sciences (UAS) are higher education institutions on a par with universities, and like the latter also confer bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Usually, however, UASs do not have the right to award doctoral degrees, though there are cooperative PhD programmes that run jointly with universities. And nowadays some particularly research-oriented UASs also have the right to award doctorates in certain subjects.

Most German universities require a master's degree from their PhD students, but some university institutes offer so-called 'fast-track programmes' for students with a very good bachelor's degree.

If this applies to you, you can specifically search for those programmes in this database offered by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK)  

Please note that you have to limit your search by selecting the option 'Admission with a bachelor's degree possible'.

Generally, you can do a PhD with a Master’s from a university of applied sciences.
However, some universities require additional coursework from graduates with Master's degrees from universities of applied sciences. Please contact the university where you plan on doing your PhD to discuss this with them directly.

For more information on doing your PhD in Germany, take a look here.

In order to do a PhD, you need a master's degree (or equivalent) that is recognised in Germany. 

To learn more about recognition of foreign degrees and academic qualifications, visit this website Make-it-in-Germany

If you have a particular university in mind where you would like to do your PhD, contact the International Office ('Akademisches Auslandsamt'), where you can find out in detail about specific requirements for your chosen university.

Doctoral students in Germany usually work (part-time) as academic assistants or research associates. These are either paid PhD positions or based on a scholarship. Germany welcomes international graduates, and many funding organisations support international PhD students.

Find more information on PhD and funding here.

There are usually no tuition-fees for a PhD at a German university – at least at public higher education institutions. This applies to the individual PhD and to structured PhD programmes. However, all enrolled PhD students must pay a semester contribution. How high this fee is depends on the services that are included – for example, use of public transport. In general, it is between 70 and 330 euros

There are no general rules on how to apply for a PhD programme. Application requirements and procedures tend to vary from programme to programme. If you have questions regarding the application procedure or requirements of a specific programme or position, please contact the university or institute directly.

For more general information, take a look here.

We have some tips on how to prepare your application for a PhD position here. You can also watch our online talk about doctorate opportunities in Germany to get some first-hand advice for your application.

Your chances for getting into a PhD programme depend on many factors. The most promising applicants have a good or very good master's degree (or equivalent). Other important factors often include your work experience, motivation, and naturally the number and qualification of the other applicants you're competing with.  

Open PhD positions will often attract many applicants, therefore the application process can be highly competitive.
The description of each programme usually gives you a detailed impression of what is expected of the applicants.

Listen to first hand experiences in the recording of our webinar ‘Doctorate Opportunities in Germany’.

Though useful, knowledge of German is not always required for a PhD programme.
Many structured PhD programmes are taught in English. Find out in the respective doctoral regulations of your chosen programme which languages can be used to write your thesis.

If you’re looking for more information on structured PhD programmes you might find this section on our website helpful.

Would you like to learn German or find out more about the language for your daily life here? Then check out this section on our website.

To enrol in a PhD programme you usually need either very good English or very good German skills. 

PhD programmes in Germany have no standard language requirements. University institutes have their own regulations (called 'Promotionsordnung') and they vary from university to university. Most universities will accept a IELTS or a TOEFL certificate. Some will not require any certificate at all, if the applicants are either English native speakers or if they acquired a degree in a programme that was taught in English.

If you have a particular university in mind, we suggest you contact the administration team directly and ask them what language requirements they have.

Advanced age or the possession of another PhD degree are not generally criteria for exclusion from PhD programmes, though they may make it more difficult to gain funding or get a position. The most important formal requirement is a good master's degree (or equivalent) that is recognised in Germany. Other important factors include your work experience and motivation.

Search here for PhD programmes and positions in Germany.

Germany offers international researchers a wide range of opportunities to continue their research in universities, in non-university research institutions and in research companies.

For information on the different career paths as a postdoc and how to find a position, please visit our postdoc section. If you’d like to skip straight to finding a research job, we’ve got some helpful job portals for you here.

On our Facebook and X pages we keep you informed about career and funding opportunities for your research stay in Germany. 

You might also be interested in our webinar ‘Postdoctoral Opportunities in Germany’. 

We regularly post vacant postdoc positions on our LinkedIn and X pages. 

On our website, you can obtain information on how to find a research job or postdoc position in Germany. Although we cannot provide you with individual job offers, we hope the links above will help you on your path to finding a postdoc position in Germany. 

When you are looking for a supervisor, you can start your search by looking for a good university with the right fit for your research focus. Here are some useful links and databases:

•  The 'Research Map' offered by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) allows you to search for German universities where your field of interest is available.
• 'GERiT' is a database containing over 25,000 research institutes in Germany. It includes information on institutes and departments at German universities, as well as non-university research institutes.

Once you’ve identified a potential supervisor you need to apply directly to the professor in question. When applying you should provide details about your previous academic achievements and the topic of your PhD/doctoral thesis. Your application can include a well-considered proposal for your future work.

You might also want to check out our online talks ‘Postdoctoral Opportunities in Germany’.

The language that is used in research groups in Germany depends on the subject area involved and the institute concerned. Research groups in Germany are increasingly working in international teams. Thus, advanced English skills are usually important. At German institutes, especially in the natural and engineering sciences, researchers often research and publish their findings in English. 

In many humanities and social science subjects, adequate knowledge of German is a requirement for a successful research stay. Depending on the research project, you may need to prove your language skills in your application.

While it is no problem to communicate in English at German research institutes, there are still plenty of good reasons for at least gaining a basic knowledge of German. Language is the key to a country’s culture and people. For information and advice on learning German, take a look here.

International senior researchers have a wide range of career opportunities in Germany: research collaborations with German and international researchers, visiting professorships, a research stay in a German research institute as well as interesting research opportunities in the industrial sector. An overview of all research opportunities can be found here.

This section of our website is a good place to start looking for research jobs in Germany and to get acquainted with potential employers.

First off, you should find out where your field of research is pursued.

The 'Research Map' offered by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) allows you to search for German universities where your field of interest is available.

'GERiT' is a database containing over 25,000 research institutes in Germany. It includes information on institutes and departments at German universities, as well as non-university research institutes.

Once you have found an institute that you are interested in, you should find a contact person and get in touch with them directly.

First off, you should find out where your field of research is pursued.

The 'Research Map' offered by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) allows you to search for German universities where your field of interest is available.

'GERiT' is a database containing over 25,000 research institutes in Germany. It includes information on institutes and departments at German universities, as well as non-university research institutes.

Once you have found an institute that you are interested in, you should find a contact person and get in touch with them directly.

Application requirements and procedures tend to vary from programme to programme. Get started by checking general information on the requirements here.

Whether you have teaching obligations or not depends on the kind of position you want. Find out more about the different career paths and types of positions for experienced researchers here.

Numerous funding programmes are available to support international academics wishing to turn their research into a marketable product and set up their own company. You find some examples at federal and state level in Germany here.

You might also find our online talk ‘Scientific start-ups in Germany’ helpful.

These websites also contain relevant information on the issue of starting and funding your own business: 
- Make it in Germany
- Federal Employment Agency (e.g. Starting a Business)  
- Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy
- KfW

We are pleased to hear that you are interested in working together with a German research institution. German institutes and companies are always very keen to collaborate in fields of international research.

Unfortunately, we cannot help you establish contact with a German research institution. We can only give you an overview of institutions and companies.

If you are looking for a business partner, please have a look here for an overview of research institutes. Another useful source of information is 'GERiT', a database containing over 25,000 research institutes in Germany. It includes information on institutes and departments at German universities, as well as non-university research institutes.

‘Research in Germany' is neither a university nor a research institution and it does not perform any research. Our aim is to provide information on the research landscape in Germany as well as its opportunities (e.g., how to do a PhD) and information on funding programmes.

If you are looking for a business partner, please have a look here for an overview of research institutes. Another useful source of information is 'GERiT', a database containing over 25,000 research institutes in Germany. It includes information on institutes and departments at German universities, as well as non-university research institutes.

Research funding is offered by research funding organisations, universities and non-university research institutions. You can find an overview of funding programmes, prizes and awards here.

Check out our section of funding programmes here:

• PhD
• Postdoc
• Established researchers

For further information on a specific programme please contact the organisation offering the programme directly.

Doctoral students in Germany usually have a paid position or receive a scholarship. There are many options to find a paid position or programme. You can:

• Search for a structured PhD programme at the International Programmes Database. Narrow down your search by inserting keywords and/or by field of study.
• Search for PhD job offers at German universities at PhDGermany.
• Send an application to a professor or research institute. Find work groups in your research field here:
  • German Research Institutions (GERiT)
  • The CHE University Ranking
  • Higher Education Compass

Moreover, there are several funding programmes for international PhD students. On our website you find information about funding opportunities for international PhD students:

• a selection of funding programmes for international PhD students
• a list of funding databases
• an overview of German funding organisations

There is a wide range of opportunities for international researchers to pursue their career in Germany. Postdoc jobs and grants are offered by universities, by non-university research institutions as well by research companies. 

We have gathered useful information on funding opportunities for postdocs for you on our website: 

•  a selection of funding programmes
•  a list of funding databases
•  an overview of German funding organisations

Research funding is offered by research funding organisations, universities and non-university research institutions. You can find an overview of funding programmes, prizes and awards here.

The German research landscape is very diverse and regulations often vary depending on the university, research institution or funding organisation.

We can provide you with general information about the German research landscape and basic guidance on scientific career options. For detailed and individual advice, we suggest you contact the funding organisation, institute or university of your interest directly.

The International Office at your university is the first place to go for questions regarding academic mobility.

Moreover, at almost every German university and Studentenwerk organisation, there are academic advisors who provide on-site advising services to current and prospective students who have disabilities or chronic illnesses. Visit the website of the German Studentenwerk to find an advisor to help you.
Student councils sometimes offer consultation or have committees which specialise in issues related to disabilities or chronic illnesses. They can also answer your questions and provide help with any problems you encounter.

The DAAD does not offer special scholarships to disabled or chronically ill students or researchers. Like everyone else, they have to apply to one of the regular funding programmes offered by the DAAD. Applications are reviewed by a selection committee which awards the scholarships based on professional criteria, one of the most important of which is the candidate’s academic qualification. If you have questions about DAAD scholarships and funding programmes, please contact us via: diversity@daad.de

We recommend you also take a look at this website.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any information on funding for charities or development projects. We recommend contacting the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, the German Society for International Cooperation) or Engagement Global for advice.

There are many universities here in Germany, all specialising in different areas of expertise – it’s hard to say which ones are the best. The better question is: which university best suits you?

To find the university or institute best suited for you take a look at the following sites:

- For instance, the 'Research Map' offered by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) allows you to search for the German universities where your research area is available.

- You can also use 'GERiT - German Research Institutions', a database containing over 25,000 research institutes.

- The CHE University Ranking also enables you to search for universities by subject or by city.

- The online database 'Higher Education Compass' allows you to search specific research fields and find institutes you can apply to if you wish to earn a PhD.

We have also compiled a list of different rankings to help you find the one best suited for your needs here.

Unfortunately, we can’t give you information on individual universities or research institutes. If you need specific information about a certain university or institute, please contact them directly.

We’re happy to hear that you would like to learn German! Find out all about German courses in your country of residence, language requirements and certificates here.

You can find general information on visa regulations here.

For personal advice regarding your situation please contact the German diplomatic mission in your country of residence directly. They can provide precise information on this. 

If you are looking for a non-scientific / non-academic job, these websites will be useful:

• Bundesagentur für Arbeit is the website of the German Federal Employment Agency.
•  Make it in Germany is a multilingual portal for international qualified professionals. It is run by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide financial or legal support.

For general information on legal matters regarding your move to Germany, check out this section on our website.