Doctoral studies

The doctorate describes an individual research achievement after graduation and the academic title of doctor awarded for this. Upon successful completion, the scientist is awarded a doctorate in his or her subject – the highest academic degree in Germany, other than the professorial adjunct “Habilitation”.

The aim of a doctorate is to hone the candidate’s ability to conduct profound scientific work – the evidence of which is provided by the doctoral dissertation. The independent research work documented in this way essentially contributes to the scientific progress of the respective discipline.

The doctorate is concluded with an oral examination (“defence”). After successfully completing the doctorate, Kempten University of Applied Sciences or the traditional university awards the doctorate to the candidate. The doctoral degree is supplemented by the respective specialisation (e.g. Dr.-Ing. for a doctorate in engineering).

The exact requirements are determined by the respective university of applied sciences or traditional university. As a rule, the intended doctoral project is thematically related to the completed degree programme. Information about the general conditions and admission requirements at the Doctoral Studies Centre at Kempten University of Applied Sciences can be found in the Doctoral regulations .

If you graduated in Germany, then the admission requirements will substantially depend upon whether your previous degree was awarded by a research university, an academy of art or music, or a university of applied sciences. If you graduated elsewhere, then the university of applied sciences or traditional university awarding the doctorate is responsible for decisions on recognising academic degrees from abroad.

We recommend proceeding as follows:

• Consider suitable research specialisations and potential subject areas – you can Consult institutes’ websites
• Browse current and completed research projects at Kempten University of Applied Sciences and the academics involved in these projects
• Look for suitable vacancies for research assistants/doctoral positions on the university’s website, online portals, in subject-related associations newsletters, or in national newspapers
• Contact the professor who supervised your master’s thesis or enquire at the Doctoral Studies Centre office

As a rule, a doctorate requires full-time engagement with the doctoral topic for at least 3 years. It is therefore advantageous to be employed at least half-time as a research assistant for this work.

Kempten University of Applied Sciences advertises vacancies for research assistants at its institutes in this respect.

In addition, various organisations offer doctoral scholarships, which are usually subject to a strict selection process and often offer only partial funding. Potential sources of funding:

• Support for talented students in higher education from Scholarshipplus
• Research scholarships for doctoral students from the German Academic Exchange Service (“DAAD”) – support for visits abroad to conduct research towards a doctorate in Germany
• BAYHOST annual scholarships offered by the Free State of Bavaria for graduates from Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and Hungary
• Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard Foundation for women with children on the career pathway towards working as scientists – funding female doctoral and post-doctoral students particularly in experimental natural sciences and medicine
• The LaKoF scholarship from the State Conference of Women’s and Equal Opportunities Officers at Bavarian Universities aimed at particularly talented women graduates from universities of applied sciences.
• The portal MyStipendium includes many different scholarships to assist with living expenses, stays abroad and grants for academic work.