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.
Why Study a PhD 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
Types of Free PhD Programs in Germany
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.
Top Universities for Free PhD Programs in Germany
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:
- LMU Munich
- 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
Eligibility Requirements for Free PhD Programs in Germany
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)
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Work experience
How to Apply for Free PhD Programs in Germany?
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
Cost to Study Free PhD Programs in Germany
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.
Scholarships for Free PhD Programs in Germany
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.
