Germany is the world's third largest economy and industrial nation; its demand for highly qualified, internationally educated researchers is increasing. By pursuing a doctorate degree abroad, you are advancing the international academic debate; in addition you gain contacts that are highly valuable for your academic career.
What are the requirements for a doctorate degree in Germany?
Although some universities are oriented towards the education system of international graduate schools, this path to obtaining a doctorate degree is not common in Germany. The requirements placed on "conventional" doctorate students, however, are very high and demand independent academic working.
In order to be admitted to a doctorate degree, a university degree with good grades is essential. To obtain the doctorate degree, the student must independently write a research paper, the so-called "Dissertation". In addition to the written dissertation and depending on the respective discipline and faculty, an oral examination, a colloquium or a defence of the dissertation before the publicly convening doctoral awards commission of the faculty is required. A doctoral student in Germany does not follow a curriculum. Instead, the supervisor will oversee your work and support you in writing your research paper.
The duration of a doctoral degree study is not predefined. After passing the complete examination, doctoral students must publish their dissertation in the prescribed form. This can be either a required minimum number of published books, a publication in a relevant journal or in the form of an electronic publication. Only after this procedure has been concluded will the doctorate certificate be awarded.