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PhD Study in Germany- Fast Track PhD Programs offers world-class education, research labs and facilities. You can gain your PhD degree in Germany at an affordable price. These are the top universities in Germany with the best higher education system for students, scholars & students wishing to study abroad in Germany at higher academic levels.

PhD in Germany Fast Track Programs is among the highly regarded fields of studies that are undertaken by German Universities. The programs are basically conducted under the guidance of prominent German faculties with the objective of offering students ample opportunities to work on some real-time projects at various cutting edge research areas.

In Germany, studying for a doctorate primarily means working intensely on a specific subject or research project for a long period of time. The length of time a doctorate takes also varies. Three to five years are typical. The direct entry from the master’s to the doctorate degree allows the student to start his doctoral studies without having to complete a master’s degree. This allows the student to shorten his studies by one year. For more information, consult Fast-track programs.

Find all you need such as fast track PhD programs in Germany, PhD in Germany with scholarship 2021, PhD programs in Germany for international students, PhD requirements in Germany for international students, online PhD programs in Germany, PhD in Germany salary, list of universities in Germany for PhD etc. It’s not easy to get the most detail about fast track PhD programs in Germany so you can do no wrong in searching for the information you need on Collegelearners. But you will need to know this website to access all the information you need right here on Collegelearners.

How Long Does It Take To Get A PhD in Germany

A doctorate usually means that an individual is qualified to teach at a college level or to work in a specific field of work. There are two major types of doctoral degrees; a research-oriented degree, and a professional doctoral degree. Doctoral degrees are sometimes referred to as terminal degrees, which means that a final degree is available in a graduate school for students who wish it.

Fast Track is only possible in conjunction with a Master degree and a corresponding doctoral degree course or programme. The Fast Track consists of two phases; firstly the โ€œMaster phaseโ€, which takes two to three semesters, secondly the actual โ€œDoctorate phaseโ€, which is usually three years. A Master degree is acquired parallel to the doctorate, on the basis of the examination regulations for the Master degree courses. Two selection procedures are held, one before the โ€œMaster phaseโ€ and the second before the โ€œdoctorate phaseโ€. If the selection procedure to the โ€œdoctorate phaseโ€ is not passed then the candidates remain in the Master degree programme.

The Fast Track students enrol themselves in the Master degree programme and usually study subject specific modules totalling 60 CP for two semesters (30 CP per semester) the same as the regular Master students. During this time they will be closely connected with the group of their future supervisor, will take lectures there and e.g. attend the working group meetings. The concept for the thesis must be prepared together with the supervisor in the first year. A project or research module totalling 30 CP should be completed in the third semester, which prepares for the thesis topic and/or methods. Usually a project report on the preparatory work is presented as a Master thesis. An oral examination is held, as in the regular Master degree. Admission to the doctoral studies is not dependent on a Masterโ€™s degree. In the doctorate studies the Fast Track candidate can draw on previous work and in so doing can either complete the thesis faster or handle the topic in more depth.

PhD In Germany Requirements

Applicants must have a Bachelor degree with the ECTS grade A or be in the top 10% of the degree course at that university. They must have the required qualifications for the respective Master degree programme. Applications may also be submitted by someone who can prove 120 credits (equivalent to four semesters) and an average grade of 1.5 or better at the time of applying but has not yet completed the degree programme. For the application it is also necessary to include a letter of motivation and proof of English language skills, at least level B2. The proof does not apply if the applicant is a native speaker or if the university entrance test was in English or if the last degree was in English.

What are the obstacles?

1. Entrance examination to the Master phase

An application for a Masterโ€™s degree is submitted with the addition โ€œFast Trackโ€. The applications for a Fast Track degree have to be submitted before the Masterโ€™s application deadline, i.e. 1st March. This early deadline is necessary because of a two-stage test.

1.1 Written Application

Certificates and other documents from training and further education, which make it apparent that the applicant has in-depth subject-specific knowledge and the necessary skills, must be submitted with the application. In addition, a letter of motivation is necessary stating why the applicant considers her/himself to be suitable for a doctorate in the Fast Track degree course on the topic being offered. Furthermore, it must be clear how the person identifies her/himself with a scientific job in the respective research area, how far she/he has learned to work scientifically, and that she/he has sufficient English language skills. The application must also specify the intended PhD programme after the โ€œMaster phaseโ€.

On the basis of the documents submitted the best-rated applicants will be invited to the second stage of the aptitude assessment, the

1.2 Assessment Interview

The assessment interview should show that the applicant has an above average motivation as well as a realistic judgment about the specific requirements of the Fast Track programme. It should become clear that the applicant has the subject relevant fundamental knowledge and an above average knowledge of the experimental and theoretical techniques. The interview will be at least 20 minutes. It will be carried out by two lecturers who are also authorized to take examinations. These must be lecturers from the relevant Master degree course, of which at least one is also an examiner in the respective PhD programme. The assessment interview is usually carried out four to six weeks after the application deadline. The interview takes place either in Oldenburg, in the form of a telephone or video conference or is held at a partner institution abroad. The procedure and the result of the interview are recorded in a log that contains an assessment of the written documents.

The suitability for the Master phase will be reviewed and evaluated by the Fast Track admissions committee based on the result of the assessment interview. This committee is in contact with the admissions committee of the Master degree courses and can be advised by members of the faculty PhD admissions committee or PhD programme admissions committee.

2.       Entrance Examination for the Doctoral Phase

The prerequisite for entry to the independent research phase is that the examination results of the Master were far above average. There is a consultation with the prospective supervisor and at least one person who was involved in the assessment interview. The applicant must submit the thesis topic, a work plan, the supervisorโ€™s confirmation of support and the proposed thesis committee. The members of the thesis committee may attend the consultation, at the request of the candidate.

Eligibility is determined by the admissions committee of the corresponding PhD programme.

Fast Track PHD Programs In Germany

Applicants with a three-year BSc degree (equivalent to 180 ECTS credits) typically are not eligible to apply directly for doctoral studies, unless they intend to join a research group that is affiliated with the school’s research branch “Circuit Neuroscience”. In that case, a cooperation with the LMU-Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences(link is external) will allow enrollment as doctoral student (and joint affiliation with both PhD programs). The so-called Fast track program(link is external) includes an intense additional year comprised of lectures, courses, practical and lab-rotations. The goal is to bring fast track students up to the level of MSc students within the first year of studies. PhD thesis research will commence in the second year.

phd in germany salary

Calculated on the basis of a full-time position, doctoral students receive between 46,000 and 56,000 euros gross per year, depending on how much experience the doctoral student already has. It should be noted that an employment contract often only covers 50% of the positions.

  • The tariff structure for the salary of scientists and scholars in Germany is very transparent. If a doctoral student is a research assistant at a state university or research institution, he/she is automatically a public sector employee and his/her salary is therefore regulated by a collective agreement.
  • Depending on the institution, this is either the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector (TVรถD) or the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Lรคnder (TV-L). These collective agreements are renegotiated every one or two years.
  • All state universities, universities of applied sciences and research institutes thus pay comparable wages. As government-funded research organisations, the Max Planck Society, the Fraunhofer Society and the Helmholtz Association also follow the regulations of the collective agreement for the public sector with regard to employment, pay and social benefits.
  • Doctoral students are classified in the lowest salary group E13 for scientists. Since salary group 13 has a very wide range (from newly started doctoral students to experienced postdocs), the salary groups are differentiated according to experience levels. Since 2018, all public sector wage agreements have differentiated between six experience levels, each with increasing duration.
  • Doctoral students starting at experience level 1 should therefore make sure that their contract runs for at least 12 months, as employment contracts of less than one year are not considered relevant professional experience. In the event of a new position, you will be re-grouped in experience level 1, regardless of the length of time you have already worked at that level. This is true even if the change of contract is made seamlessly at the same institution. The problem, however, is that employment contracts at universities are often limited to a very short term. Around half of the contracts of academic staff in the doctoral phase are shorter than 12 months.
  • The Federal Report on Young Academics and Scientists of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of 2017 points out that the average monthly net income of doctoral students is 1,261 euros per month. This is at the lowest end of the official standard salaries.


Salaries of doctoral students in Euro per month according to collective agreements, July 2020

the salaries are based on 100% employment


Collective agreement
Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5Level 6
E13 (TVรถD)3.996,72 โ‚ฌ4.335,42 โ‚ฌ4.685,32 โ‚ฌ5.093,03 โ‚ฌ5.586,51 โ‚ฌ5.842,91 โ‚ฌ
E13 (TV-L)4.002,26 โ‚ฌ4.329,43 โ‚ฌ4.560,37 โ‚ฌ5.009,04 โ‚ฌ5.629,26 โ‚ฌ5.798,14 โ‚ฌ

international phd programs in germany

list of universities in germany for phd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSstk4n3LjQ

With a historic higher education system and many specialist research centres, it makes sense that Germany has some of the top ranked universities in the world. Not only that, Germany is the birthplace of the modern PhD, so itโ€™s no wonder that the country is such a popular place to study.

Weโ€™ve examined the latest international university rankings to identify some of the best universities for PhD study in Germany.

UniversityTHE 2021QS 2021ARWU 2020
LMU Munich326351
Technical University of Munich415054
Heidelberg University426457
Charitรฉ – Universitรคtsmedizin Berlin=75
University of Tรผbingen=78=175151-200
Humboldt University of Berlin=80117
University of Freiburg83=175101-150
RWTH Aachen University=107145201-300
University of Bonn=114=24087
Free University of Berlin=118130
University of Gรถttingen130195101-150
University of Hamburg135=228201-300
University of Mannheim=140307
Technical University of Berlin=140148301-400
Ulm University=140=344301-400
University of Wรผrzburg=140=437201-300
University of Cologne=145=282151-200
TU Dresden=152=173201-300
Bielefeld University=158801-1000701-800
University of Mรผnster=195356151-200
University of Erlangen-Nuremburg=198=317201-300
University of Duisburg-Essen201-250751-800301-400
University of Hohenheim201-250651-700701-800
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology201-250131201-300
Friedrich Schiller University Jena251-250=323401-500
Goethe University Frankfurt251-300=311101-150
Jacobs University251-300
University of Kiel251-300501-510201-300
University of Konstanz251-300=443601-700
University of Potsdam251-300801-1000401-500

phd in germany with scholarship 2021

If you are looking to study in Germany with a scholarship then read this article through. Because in this article we will explain in detail What is DAAD scholarship 2022, its benefits and step by step application procedure.

DAAD Scholarship 2022-2023 is a fully-funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is available to pursue a masters or PhD at the top German Universities. DAAD scholarships cover monthly payments of 850 euros for graduates or 1,200 euros for doctoral candidates.

Well-trained experts, who are networked with international partners, play an important part in the sustainable development of their countries. They are the best guarantee for a better future with less poverty, more education and health for all. With its development-oriented postgraduate study programs, the DAAD promotes the training of specialists from development and newly industrialized countries.

The scholarships offer foreign graduates from development and newly industrialized countries from all disciplines the chance to take a postgraduate or Masterโ€™s degree at a state or state-recognized German university, and in exceptional cases to take a doctoral degree, and to obtain a university qualification (Masterโ€™s/PhD) in Germany.

DAAD Scholarship Summary

  • Level of Study: Doctoral (PhD) / Masters
  • Institution: DAAD
  • Study in: Germany
  • Courses Offered:
    • Economic Sciences, Law
    • Agricultural and Forest Sciences
    • Art, Design
    • Engineering and Natural Sciences
    • Humanities and Social Sciences
    • Language and Cultural Studies
    • Mathematics, Natural Sciences
    • Medicine, Health Sciences
    • You can also see the complete list of available Postgraduate Courses.
  • Program Period: Between 12 and 36 months depending on the length of the chosen study program.
  • DAAD Scholarship Deadline: Depending on chosen study program; please check deadlines here.

DAAD Scholarship Coverage

DAAD Scholarship 2022 for Masters and PhD Germany provide the recipient with the following benefits:

  • Depending on academic level, monthly payments of 850 euros for graduates or 1,200 euros for doctoral candidates.
  • Travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding
  • Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover.
  • One-off study allowance.

Under certain circumstances, scholarship holders may receive the following additional benefits:

  • Monthly rent subsidy.
  • Contribution towards tuition fees that may be charged by the university (max. โ‚ฌ 500.- per semester).

Eligibility Criteria for DAAD Scholarship 2022

To be eligible for DAAD Scholarship 2022 for Masters and PhD Germany, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Required Languages: English or German.
    • For international programs, the language of instruction is English. You are usually required to submit an English language certificate e.g. TOEFL or IELTS.
    • For other programs, the language of instruction is German. You are usually required to submit a German language certificate e.g. DSH or TestDaF.
  • Eligible Countries: Click here for list of eligible developing countries.
  • Candidates have a Bachelor degree (usually a four-year course) or Masters degree in an appropriate subject.
  • Candidates have at least two yearsโ€™ professional experience.
  • Candidates can prove their motivation is development-related and be expected to take on social responsibility and initiate and support processes of change in their personal and professional environment after their training/scholarship.

Also check: Fulbright Scholarship USA | Fully Funded | Application Process

How to Apply for DAAD Scholarship 2022?

To apply for DAAD Scholarship 2022 for Masters and PhD in Germany please follow the following step by step application procedure:

Can you apply for more than one course under the DAAD scholarship?

You can apply for up to three courses. If applying to more than one course, please list courses in order of priority in the DAAD application forms (see 7. Choice of host university/institution in Germany) and do not change the priorities in the according to application form!

Required Documents for DAAD Scholarship:

  • Signed DAAD application form with current date
  • Personally signed CV (please use the sample europass form at http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/) with current date
  • Personally signed Letter of Motivation (with reference to current occupation and choice of postgraduate programme(s), two pages maximum) with current date.
    IMPORTANT: When applying for more than one postgraduate course (maximum 3 courses), you have to submit one motivation letter explaining why you are applying for these specific courses and why you chose that priority.
  • Letter of recommendation from your current employer; the letter must have letterhead, a signature and official stamp and must be of current date (not in a sealed envelope)
  • Certificate(s) of Employment from the employer(s) that proof a minimum of two years of relevant working experience (after the bachelor degree) at the time of application and if possible, a guarantee of re-employment from your current employer upon returning home.
  • Proof of Language Skills:
    • English โ€“ IELTS or TOEFL (Note: The institutional TOEFL is not accepted)
    • German โ€“ Required for courses taught in German
  • Copies of Academic Degrees (certified translation if necessary)
  • Copies of Academic Transcripts, incl. grading-scale (certified translation if necessary)
  • Applicants from the Peopleโ€™s Republic of China are asked to submit an APS Certificate with their application documents.

Note: Some courses may require additional documents. For detailed information, please see the relevant course description in the Brochure and on the respective websites. The complete applications have to be submitted in English or German to be considered.

Step by Step Application and Selection Procedure for DAAD Scholarship:

  1. Chose suitable courses of your interest. (You can apply for maximum three courses)
  2. Apply to universities offering that courses.
  3. You send your complete application(s) (with above documents) directly to the universities.
  4. A selection committee suggests potential candidates for a DAAD scholarship.
  5. The suggested candidates will be contacted by DAAD to upload their complete application to the DAAD Portal. (The link to the DAAD Portal will be provided by DAAD through email)
  6. The selection process will be finalized, and the suggested candidates will be informed accordingly.

IMPORTANT:
Make sure that you have a copy of each document of your application ready, as those documents (as PDF files) have to be uploaded to the DAAD Portal in case you are suggested for a DAAD scholarship!


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