German engineering is known for its technical excellence, but when it comes to studying abroad, Germany is not all about engineering studies. However, if you are interested in doctorate programs, Germany is an excellent breeding ground for intensive research and advanced studies. If you are interested in a culturally rich and academic legacy of a research alumnus, Germany seems to be the ideal choice. For example, Germany first introduced PhD programs way back in the 19th century. With more than 500 universities and 108 Nobel Laureates, Germany has become an attractive destination for doctorate programs. However, the biggest advantage of studying for a PhD in Germany is the kind of financial support you get through scholarships and reward ships. The cost of studying abroad, especially in Germany, can go higher than 30,000 Euros per year. At the same time, the total intake in the 2020-21 year for international students in Germany is 416,437. So, there is no doubt that the cost of accommodation, leisure costs, tuition fees, transportation costs, and others amount to a massive amount. Here, we will discuss some of the best programs for PhD in Germany with scholarships, their eligibility requirements, and more.
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Top Programs for PhD in Germany with Scholarships
When it comes to studying for a PhD in Germany, you need to account for several different types of costs. Apart from the semester contribution fee of around 100-350 Euros per month, you will also consider a living cost of around 867 Euros per month. So, finding a PhD in Germany with a scholarship becomes vital. Fortunately, several funding sources, including fellowships, scholarships, and others, are offered across universities in Germany.
Ludwig Maximillian University Munich
LMU is one of the top-ranked universities in Munich, Germany, with a QS 2022 ranking of 64 that allows international students to write theses leveraging individual doctorate programs. It is an approach where you complete your PhD thesis under the supervision of a peer or professor. Applicants can find peers from different campuses like, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz, Grosshadern/Martinsried, Sendlinger Tor, Oberschleißheim, etc. Further, make an application to the doctorate admission committee, and after selection, can begin with the research for a thesis.
Eligibility requirements
- All higher education/university certificates and diplomas, final examination certificates, and all transcripts of records
- Letter of admission for doctoral studies
- Certificate of passing the DSH 2 examination
- European Language Certificate from telc German C1 university
- Suitable research area with an updated CV
Scholarships
- Bavarian American Academy scholarships (BAA)
- Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) scholarships
- STIBET Mentoring Scholarship Program
- Bayerisch-Tschechische Hochschul Agentur (BTHA)
- Euraxess Germany
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Technical University of Munich (TUM)
From engineering, natural sciences, life sciences, medicine, politics, social sciences, and management, you can choose from a wide range of research topics at TUM. It has a QS World ranking of 50 and provides individual research programs for doctoral candidates. However, you will need confirmation from a supervisor peer from the university campus for doctorate studies and research. You can either contact the potential supervisor directly or submit an application to the secretariat in the chair.
Eligibility requirements
- A bachelor, diploma, magister, or master’s degree from a university of applied science
- A minimum grade of 2.5 for the academic studies before the doctorate research
- No minimum scores are required for IELTS and TOEFL, but German language proficiency is an added advantage
- Original transcripts from previous academic institutes
Scholarships
- TUM-GS Bridge Financing Grant
- Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) scholarships
- Euraxess Germany scholarship
Heidelberg University
Ranked 63rd in the QS World University rankings of 2022, Heidelberg university provides doctoral students with a wide range of research topics. It is one of the top German universities known for its great research infrastructure and advanced labs. For a doctoral program, you can choose research topics in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, and sustainability. It is one of the few German universities that provide research grants and academic scholarships as high as $20,000 per year. Not just for the graduate schools, Heidelberg university enables doctoral candidates to have several funding resources.
Eligibility requirements
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree
- Original transcripts from the previous institute
- Confirmation letter from peers or supervisor
- TOEFL score of 79 and IELTS score of 6.5
- PTE (Pearson Test of English)score of 53
- GTEC score of 1181
Scholarships
- German Academic Exchange Service(DAAD) grants
- Austin E. Knowlton Memorial Scholarship
- Endowed scholarships
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Free University of Berlin
The Free University of Berlin is one of the most popular German universities with doctoral programs offered in Chemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacology, Theatre Studies, Philosophy and Humanities, Cultural Anthropology, and Political and Social Sciences. An individual doctorate can be pursued with research topics being offered across the campus of Free University under the supervision of a professor. It also provides structured doctoral programs across its campus.
Eligibility requirements
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree
- Original transcripts from the previous institute
- Confirmation letter from peers or supervisor
- TOEFL score of 60 and IELTS score of 4.5
- DSH 2 certificate
- Telc C1 exam passed
Scholarships
- Elsa Neumann Scholarships
- DRS Postdocs Fellowships
- German Academic Exchange Service(DAAD) grants
University of Freiburg
Ranked 172nd in the QS World University Rankings, the University of Freiburg offers both structured doctoral degrees and individual doctoral programmes. It provides research and development opportunities in Management, Communication, Leadership, Publishing, Media and Computer Science, Career Planning, Career Entry, Higher Education and Teaching Qualification, Academic Practice, Languages, etc. For individual doctorate programs, the University of Freiburg follows the traditional academic pattern of Germany. Here, applicants can contact peers of research institutions and professors at campuses for confirmation of their doctoral application.
Eligibility requirements
- Copy of the acceptance letter as a doctoral candidate
- Original copy of qualifications from institutions of higher education
- Copies of a university degree
- For students outside the EU, a passport with a residence permit and visa
Scholarships
- DAAD scholarship
- State Graduate Funding
- University Completion Scholarships for the Completion of Dissertation Projects in DFG Research Training Groups
Now that we know some of the top universities in Germany to apply for a doctoral programme, here are some of the funding opportunities that you can look for.
Top Scholarship Programme in Germany
Germany has several top universities that offer individual and structured doctoral programs. However, it would be best if you looked for a PhD in Germany with a scholarship to ensure that your academic costs and other expenses do not make a mess of the budget. Any international student’s average cost of living in Germany can go up to 861 euros per month. Fortunately, there are funding opportunities that can help you.
DAAD scholarships
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst is a joint venture by several high education institutes in Germany to aid international students. So, whether you are from a country in the European Union or others like Argentina, India, or any other country of origin, DAAD scholarships help you with financial aid. For a DAAD grant, you will need a bachelor’s degree, which is not more than six years old, and two years of work experience. A doctoral candidate can get up to 1200 euros a month through DAAD scholarships.
DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship Programme
Deutschlandstipendium offers financial support to students from different countries all over the world. The best part about the DeutschlandStipendium scholarship program is that there are no restrictions related to the country of origin or parents’ income. This is due to the funding sources, which are a combination of public-private partnerships. For every scholarship offered, a sponsor will provide 150 euros per month, and the German government will add the same amount for funding.
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships
One of Germany’s best scholarships for international students is the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships. It is aimed at applicants with above-average academic records in their home country. The scholarship program offers 1100 euros for doctoral candidates and 850 euros for master’s students.
Erasmus Scholarship Programs
Erasmus scholarships are another great alternative for international students and applicants from the European Union. It is aimed at students who are looking to study full-time in Germany and not for part-time courses. Another important requirement for this scholarship is that your graduate university and high education institute needs to have signed the Erasmus Charter.
Conclusion
Research and development are what drive the modern market, whether it is applied science, healthcare, or software design. However, choosing the right supervisor, university, and doctoral program becomes vital. One key element of achieving a scholarship fund for your doctoral program in Germany is the knowledge of your native language. Many universities demand certificates of German language proficiency. Fortunately for you, LeapScholar can help you achieve German language proficiency with the right guidance. So, start your journey towards doctoral excellence!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a PhD in Germany?
The process of applying for a PhD in Germany will vary depending on your individual situation and qualifications. However, some tips on how to apply for a PhD in Germany may include submitting an application form, writing a research proposal, and having letters of recommendation from reputable professors.
Which university in Germany offers a PhD?
Choosing the best universities for obtaining a PhD varies according to your field of study and location. However, some of the most reputable universities that offer PhD programs in Germany include Ludwig Maximillian University Munich, Technical University of Munich(TUM), and the Free University of Berlin.
What is the best PhD in Germany with scholarship?
PhDs in Germany come with a lot of benefits, one of which is a scholarship. To find out which PhD in Germany has the best scholarship options, you can use the PhD. Scholarship Search Engine like DAAD and others. It’s an online tool that helps you compare and research different PhD programs in Germany based on their scholarship opportunities and factors like tuition fees and alumni networks.
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