Structured PhDs at graduate schools
Large international research teams and interdisciplinary doctoral groups: Graduate schools are places of mutual exchange and shared progress.
Graduate schools in Germany
Most of the 79 graduate and research schools in Germany are affiliated with German universities. Scientists studying here can build an excellent professional network and exchange ideas. One example is the Göttingen Graduate Centre for Neurosciences and Molecular Biosciences (GGNB), which is one of the largest graduate schools in Germany.
Four faculties of the University of Göttingen, three Max Planck Institutes and the German Primate Centre conduct joint research here in the fields of brain and behavioural research, biochemistry, biophysics and cell and developmental biology. The doctoral students not only work for themselves within the research teams – they are also involved in higher-level research projects. “Our 350 doctoral students, up to 45 percent of whom come from abroad, are directly involved in the research groups,” says Dr Steffen Burkhardt, the scientific coordinator at GGNB.
An overview of all graduate and research schools in Germany can also be found – organized by subject– on the website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Prerequisites and application for obtaining a PhD in a research training group
The application process differs among locations and institutions. A key expectation during selection proceedings, however, is that the applicant has broadened his or her horizons a bit and focused on at least one additional subject area beyond their specialty. Furthermore, command of the English language is a must: As a rule, research training group activities take place in English.
Following the first selection round, the next hurdle in most instances is the Assessment Centre. In this step, applicants must hold presentations and demonstrate that they are a good fit for the team. Some research training groups allow applicants from abroad to give their presentations and even participate in interviews via video conferencing.
What to expect?
Once a candidate has been accepted into a research training group, they can expect excellent support and mentoring – but they should also expect to be challenged. Programme participants, for example, must regularly present interim results from their research. This focused and structured process has been implemented to ensure that participants achieve their PhD in an average of three years. Click here to learn more about graduate schools offering structured PhD programmes.
Earning a PhD at a DFG-funded research training group
Most of the research training groups in Germany have a significant international component, with professors flying in from abroad one week and flying off for a research trip the next – and the same holds true for the PhD candidates themselves. Most of the research training groups in Germany receive financing from the German Research Foundation (DFG). Currently, the funding list includes 220programmes (with 29 international programmes among them).
But regardless of whether the programme has a direct international connection, they all offer PhD candidates a diverse environment in the areas of engineering, natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences and the humanities. “We cover almost all subject areas, even if some of them, such as legal science, are somewhat underrepresented at the moment,” says Dr. Annette Schmidtmann, who is head of the department responsible for research training groups at the DFG. In contrast to graduate schools, the size of research training groups tends to be much more manageable, generally between 10 and 20 PhD candidates, enabling more personal guidance and intensive mentoring. Furthermore, the groups’ research topics are extremely focused.
“Double Degree” – pursuing a PhD at an international research training group
International research training groups are characterised by an established cooperation with at least one partner institution abroad over and above their activities in Germany. Candidates are supervised in such programmes by professors from both Germany and the partner country. Many international research training groups are working toward the introduction of an official “double degree” PhD – a binational doctorate that can be officially completed at two different sites in two different countries.
Participants in such programmes receive financial support from the DFG so that they can visit partner facilities abroad and conduct research there. In addition to excellent university marks, applicants must also be enthusiastic about intercultural and interdisciplinary work along with a particular interest in the focus of the research training group in question.
English as the working language
Command of English, the standard language used within the research training groups, is a further prerequisite for a successful application. PhD candidates in the humanities and social sciences should also learn the local language of the country where they will be conducting their research. Those who fulfil these prerequisites can apply by submitting a cover letter, curriculum vitae, motivation letter and a research exposé. Candidates whose written applications are found convincing are then invited to an in-person interview.
PhD programmes at universities
Those who love the classic, university setting will also feel right at home in a university PhD programme. These programmes are a continuation of familiar university structures, with PhD candidates usually receiving a required schedule of course work, packed with seminars, courses and discussion groups. Generally, each year includes several dozen PhD candidates.
PhD programmes: the possibility to work while studying
Usually, PhD candidates receive credits for each successfully completed required course in accordance with the European ECTS standard. In addition to the completion of a dissertation, candidates must accumulate a specified number of such credits. In contrast to bachelor's and master’s programmes, the required courses for PhD programmes are generally held in blocks. Instead of taking place each week, course work is bundled together across several prescheduled days.
That allows PhD candidates to also work while earning their doctorate. “Many of our PhD candidates have already started their careers and are earning their doctorates at our institution in addition to their work. That is possible because they are given a flexible courseload around which they can schedule their work,” says Professor Barbara Sponholz, who advises geography PhD candidates at the University of Würzburg. From a financial perspective, this combination of study and work is extremely helpful to those PhD candidates who must pay their own way.
In addition to funding one’s studies through work, however, PhD candidates also have the opportunity to apply for grants or for research assistant positions, which are offered by academic institutions independent of their PhD programmes.
Pursuing a PhD at university: prerequisites and application
Those interested in earning a PhD through a university programme should first educate themselves about the numerous programmes that are available and gather information from the internet. University and institution websites provide specific information as to the prerequisites needed and about the specifics of their application process.
In general, applicants are expected to have completed their studies in their focus area with at least a 2.0 average on the German scale. “Those below that average have a hard time being accepted into a PhD programme. We try to attract the absolute best scholars to our institution,” says Professor Sponholz. Those who only have a bachelor’s degree or who feel they don’t yet possess sufficient language or subject skills can complete a preparatory year at a university.
Length of study
The duration of a structured PhD programme varies, but the average is around three years. In addition to a clear curriculum, university-based PhD programmes also offer candidates very good guidance. Each candidate is assigned an adviser who can be approached for all questions pertaining to the PhD programme. In most cases, the adviser is also the candidate’s PhD supervisor.
Many PhD programmes at universities take place in English or German. PhD candidates from abroad should therefore determine the working language of the PhD programme in which they are interested and attend language courses in advance if needed.
