| Updated On - Sep 5, 2024
PhD in Germany is a 3-5 year long program, available to international students across various top universities. You can apply for admission to PhD in Germany with a master's degree, or a 4 year bachelor's degree across some universities. Germany offers a plethora of PhD degrees to international students across science, business, and humanities disciplines.
The top PhD universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fee from international students. You might need to pay a semester fee between 100 and 325 EUR (8,900 to 28,930 INR) to pursue PhD courses in Germany. After completing a PhD degree in Germany, graduates annually earn an average salary of 69,000 EUR (61.43 lakhs INR).
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Best Universities in Germany for PhD
Germany is a center for higher education, with few top-ranked yet affordable institutions offering doctoral programs. Some top PhD universities in Germany and their corresponding details are as follows:
| QS World University Rankings 2024 | University | Program/ Faculty | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| #37 | Technical University of Munich | Econometrics | Strategic Management | Innovative Technologies in Management Research | No tuition fees |
| #54 | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich | Humanities and Cultural Studies | Social Sciences and Economics | Natural Sciences and Medicine | Semester Fee: 100-300 |
| #120 | Humboldt University of Berlin | Individual Doctorate | Structured PhD Programs | Semester Fee: 290.99 |
| #=239 | University of Bonn | Microeconomic Theory | Management and Applied Microeconomic | Financial Economics | Macroeconomics and Public Economics | Econometrics and Statistics | Semester Fee: 325 |
| #98 | Freie University of Berlin | Humanities & Social Sciences | Natural & Life Sciences | Computational Neuroscience Berlin | Semester Fee: 295.49 |
| #106 | RWTH Aachen University | Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences | Medicine | Architecture | Mechanical Engineering | Electrical Engineering and Information Technology | Arts and Humanities | Business and Economics | No fee |
| #232 | University of Goettingen | Göttingen Graduate Center for Neurosciences, Biophysics and Molecular Biosciences (GGNB) | Semester Fee: 300 |
| #=192 | University of Freiburg | Humanities and Social Sciences | Natural Sciences | Life Sciences | Engineering | Marie Curie Programs | Cooperative Doctoral Research Groups | Semester Fee: 180 |
Why Study PhD in Germany?
- In Germany, a majority of the PhD programs are tuition free, at least for the first 6 semesters. The German government sponsors these programs. You will only need to pay a minimal semester fee between 100 and 325 EUR (8,900 to 28,930 INR).
- According to UNESCO, Germany has enrolled over 28,000 Indian students including PhD scholars every year, higher than any other EU member state.
- Germany allows students to pursue doctoral programs without a masters degree. Students with a bachelors degree can directly pursue doctoral studies in Germany with satisfactory eligibility criteria.
- As a student, you can work for 120 full-days or 240 half days per year to earn extra pocket money.
PhD in Germany Admissions
The admission requirements for doctorate in Germany vary based on the chosen university and subject. The common requirement for PhD in Germany eligibility criteria for international students are listed below:
- Diploma, Magister, or Master’s degree with above-average aggregate from a recognized university
- At least 2.5 GPA in German grading system or B+ overall grade
- Proof of English proficiency:
- IELTS: 7.0 (with 6.5 in each band)
- TOEFL iBT: 80 - 100
- German language proficiency proof: TestDaf: Level 4
- GRE: 160 overall score or above
- Germany student visa
PhD in Germany Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for admission to the PhD programs in various German universities are as follows:
| University | Eligibility Criteria | Language Proficiency Requirement | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical University of Munich | Diploma, Magister or Master’s degree with above-average aggregate or at least 2.5 GPA from a recognized university | NA | CV | Transcripts |
| Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich | MSc in a relevant stream from a recognized university | Exceptional candidates with BSc Hons. degree with a written thesis | NA | 2 Letters of recommendation | 1 Letter of motivation |
CV |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | Diploma, Magister or Master’s degree with at least 2.3 GPA from a recognized university | NA | CV | Copy of identity card |
| Bonn Graduate School of Economics | Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics or a related field | IELTS: 7.0 (with 6.5 in each band) | TOEFL iBT: 100 (with 23 in each band) | 2 Letters of recommendation | Letter of motivation | CV | GRE: at least 160 |
| Freie University of Berlin | Diploma, Magister, or Master’s degree from a recognized university | NA | Copy of identity card | Copy of University entrance qualification | Copy of control view |
| RWTH Aachen University | Diploma, Magister or Master’s degree from a recognized university | NA | Resume |
| University of Goettingen | University degree with at least 2.5 GPA on German grading scale | TestDaf: Level 4 | IELTS: 7.0 (with 6.5 in each band) | TOEFL iBT: 80 (with 23 in each band) | CV | Transcripts |
| University of Freiburg | Master’s degree from a recognized university | NA | CV | Transcripts |
PhD in Germany Cost
The German universities do not charge any tuition fee for PhD programs. You might need to pay a semester fee between 100 and 325 EUR (8,900 to 28,930 INR) across some universities. Besides, you can estimate to spend around 850 EUR per month as the cost of living in Germany. Following are some top-ranked universities and their respective fees:
| University | Fees (EUR) | Equivalent Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Technical University of Munich | No fees | No fees |
| Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich | Semester Fee: 100-300 | 8,900 to 26,700 |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | Semester Fee: 290.99 | 25,900 |
| Bonn Graduate School of Economics | Semester Fee: 325 | 28,930 |
| Freie University of Berlin | Semester Fee: 295.49 | 26,303 |
| RWTH Aachen University | No fees | No fees |
| University of Goettingen | Semester Fee: 300 | 26,705 |
| University of Freiburg | Semester Fee: 180 | 16,000 |
PhD in Germany Scholarships
Although the doctoral programs in Germany are fully funded, candidates are still required to make the ends meet and bear the living costs. Therefore, such candidates may look forward to the following scholarships in Germany:
| Scholarships | Eligibility Criteria | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|
| TUM GS Bridge Financing Grant | Completion of a Master’s degree with above-average aggregate along with the intention to pursue doctoral studies | EUR 1,000 per month + EUR 150 for family and child support |
| University of Goettingen Funding | Candidates pursuing PhD at the University of Goettingen | Employment contract or EUR 1,100-1,400 |
| Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship | Candidates pursuing a Master’s or doctoral program with academic excellence | EUR 30,000 |
| Heinrich Boll Scholarship | International graduate and doctorate students studying in Germany with proficiency in German | EUR 934 |
PhD in Germany Salary
Students with PhD in Germany secure an average salary of 69,000 EUR per annum. The average salary of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) ranges between 45,000 to 94,000 EUR per annum. Doctor of Science (DS) degree holders annually earn between 42,000 to 120,000 EUR. The average salary of doctoral candidates pursuing jobs in Germany according to their levels of experience are as follows:
| Levels | Average Salary Per Month (EUR) | Equivalent Salary for Indians (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3,672.02 | 3.27 lakhs |
| 2 | 4,075.76 | 3.63 lakhs |
| 3 | 4,293.17 | 3.82 lakhs |
| 4 | 4,715.55 | 4.20 lakhs |
| 5 | 5,299.43 | 4.72 lakhs |
| 6 | 5,378.92 | 4.79 lakhs |
Note: The stage duration (time spent) of each of the 6 levels of experience increases by 1 year per stage. The contractual term at first level is at least 12 months with no interruption.
PhD in Germany is pursued by international students for a combination of benefits. The top public universities in Germany offer tuition-free education, removing the financial burden from students. You can get research opportunities from industry experts in Germany. After completing education, you can get employed as research associate for Postdoc positions in German higher education institutions.
FAQs
Ques. Is it free to do PhD in Germany for Indian students?
Ans. Yes. The public universities in Germany offer PhD programs without any tuition fees. The universities might charge a minimal semester fee to Indian students. You can estimate to pay between 100 and 325 EUR (8,900 to 28,930 INR) as semester fees in the German universities for pursuing a PhD program.
Ques. Do PhD students get paid in Germany?
Ans. Yes, some German universities provide financial support to PhD students through grants, stipends, and scholarships. You can also pursue part-time jobs while pursuing PhD, with permission from your university to earn some pocket money.
Ques. How many years is a PhD in Germany?
Ans. PhD programs in Germany can be around 5 years long or more. However, PhD in Germany is available within 3 years span across some universities. According to experts, the average time taken for PhD in Germany ranges between 3 and 4 years.
Ques. Is it easy to get PhD in Germany?
Ans. No. PhD in Germany requires you to be involved in research and activities on a particular subject or multiple subjects. The entry requirements for PhD programs in Germany for international students vary with the university and specialization. The most important requirements for admission to PhD in Germany are as follows:
- Diploma, Magister, or Master’s degree with above-average aggregate from a recognized university
- At least 2.5 GPA in German grading system or B+ overall grade
- Proof of English proficiency:
- IELTS: 7.0 (with 6.5 in each band)
- TOEFL iBT: 80 - 100
- German Proficiency proof: TestDaf: Level 4
- GRE Score: 160 overall score or above
- Germany Student Visa
Ques. Is a PhD in Germany taught in German?
Ans. PhD in Germany is taught in both the languages, German and English. You can choose the university and specialisation, based on the proficiency of language. If possible, German language proficiency is recommended to enhance your chances of securing admission to your dream university.
Ques. Can I pursue PhD in Germany without a Master’s degree?
Ans. PhD in Germany can be pursued by exceptionally performing Bachelor’s degree graduates. Moreover, candidates possessing an international Graduate Diploma with 2.5 or more GPA may also apply.
Ques. Is German PhD valid in India?
Ans. Yes. PhD degrees offered by prestigious universities in Germany are valid in India. You can pursue a faculty post in the Indian universities with a PhD from Germany. You can also look for postdoc opportunities or suitable employment opportunities for you with a PhD from Germany.
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