Prerequisites


  • a postgraduate degree (e.g. Diplom, master’s degree, Magister, state exams) from a university (a postgraduate degree earned in Germany should come specifically from a “Hochschule”, research-oriented university, see text below for a degree earned at a “Fachhochschule”, university of applied sciences)
  • additionally for structured doctoral programmes: proof of English language skills, e.g. the TOEFL with a minimum of 79 points on the internet-based version or an equivalent proof of language skills; no proof of language skills is necessary for applicants from countries where English is the first official language

Under certain circumstances it is also possible for holders of postgraduate degrees from universities of applied sciences (“Fachhochschule”) to participate in doctoral studies. Admission to doctoral studies may depend on the fulfillment of further requirements, such as passing certain module examinations. Please make a timely inquiry at the Faculty dean’s office of the doctoral programme for which you intend to apply or ask your adviser.

Admissions to individual doctoral studies and structured doctoral programmes can begin at any time independent of deadlines and university semesters.

Multiple pathways to earning a PhD in Germany


At the BTU opportunities exist – depending on your discipline – for all doctoral students, both those pursuing individual studies and those in structured programmes, to receive
systematic, interdisciplinary and/or internationally-networked doctoral educations.

1. Individual doctoral studies

In Germany the classic way to pursue a PhD is through individual doctoral studies. At the BTU individual doctoral studies are possible in all of the disciplines encompassed by the research-oriented study programmes. Each individual doctoral student finds a university instructor to take on the role of doctoral supervisor and then works independently on a dissertation.

Students pursuing individual doctoral studies are free to choose where they would like to pursue their studies. Various options exist: at a university, at a non-university research institute and in the industrial sector.

Contact persons

2. Structured doctoral programmes

At the BTU doctoral studies can be pursued in structured doctoral programmes that are internationally-oriented and use English as the official language of communication. The pursuance of a PhD in a structured doctoral programme involves participating in a curriculum of modules in addition to completing a dissertation. A “Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)” is earned upon completion of a programme. Information on the structure, contents and policies of the structured doctoral programmes can be found in the ‘General doctoral regulations’ and ‘Special regulations for the structured doctoral programmes’. The respective ‘Doctoral regulations for Faculties 1 through 4’ also apply.

Structured doctoral programmes and contact persons

Applications and admissions