how to apply phd in europe

European Education Area

How to apply for doctoral studies in europe.

Find out how to apply for doctoral studies, including a PhD, in Europe.

Getting started

In Europe, every university sets its own application criteria for doctoral studies. 

To successfully enter the world of research, it´s very important to be proactive and start your preparation early. 

The enrollment procedures take time. Prepare early, check entry requirements and collect your documents. 

Choose your topic

Choose your research topic well before starting your studies. 

Find out which university or programme meets your research interests and your academic background.

Find a supervisor

Finding a supervisor before applying could be either compulsory or advisable and it is usually the applicant’s responsibility. 

Check the research teams in the university and look at the publications written by your potential supervisor, as well as their research projects and supervised dissertations to ensure that his or her research areas match your plans.

Check language requirements

Examine the language skills needed for enrollment. It might be necessary to take a test or present internationally validated test results. 

Recognition of qualifications

Find out what documents need to be translated before applying and which ones may need ENIC-NARIC evaluation. 

Some documents might need to be certified by a notary, with an apostille attached.

Prepare your documents

The required documents vary. Usually, you need to prepare the following:

• official copy of the previous diploma(s)
• curriculum vitae (CV)
• research proposal for your PhD
• motivation letter
• references and/or recommendation letters

Find a position and funding

EURAXESS is a European Commission portal providing information on research positions and funding to help researchers come to Europe to study, work in another European country and more.

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• How to Apply for A PhD Abroad – International Study
• Applying to a PhD

So you’ve decided to enrol onto a doctoral degree and study abroad at the same time. This is a great opportunity to develop yourself both personally and academically. However, do you actually go about securing a PhD as an international student? To help answer this for you, we’ve created this guide to explain how to apply for a PhD in foreign universities.

Why Do Your PhD Abroad?​​​​​​​

There are many benefits to studying abroad.

Some PhD students do so as a way to develop a new language, discover more about a different culture, and to meet new people.

Besides personal reasons, undertaking a doctorate degree abroad can also for academic purposes. For example, in some countries, a particular research field may not be very popular and so there may not be many doctorate options available. In these cases, undertaking a PhD abroad will open up many more opportunities. It could also offer greater funding, lower tuition fees, better laboratory equipment and more experienced supervisors. Not only would these factors result in a more enjoyable PhD, but they could also contribute to greater career prospects. For example, you will likely have more opportunities to write publications, attend conferences and collaborate with other researchers. All of these will help you establish yourself as a respectable researcher within your field.

Is It Difficult to Apply to PhDs Abroad?​​​​​​​

It’s not as difficult as you would imagine when it comes to applying to a PhD in a foreign country. Regardless of whether you’re applying to a university within the EU, such as the UK, Finland or Spain, or to universities within the US or Asia, the processes are relatively similar.

The differences in the application process can be categorised into three areas.

• the documents you need to provide,
• the prerequisite tests you need to sit,
• how much you need to communicate with the potential supervisors before applying.

We’ve provided a basic outline of the application processes below. Although this will provide you with a good starting point, we highly recommend you look at the university websites for specific instructions and guidance before applying.

Will I Need a Student Visa?​​​​​​​

This will depend on what country you are applying to. For example:

• In the UK, applicants from outside the EU will need a Visa Tier 4 (Student). This will allow them to undertake a full-time PhD. However, due to UK visa restrictions, international students are unlikely to be able to enrol onto a part-time degree.
• In Germany, most students will not require a student visa but will require a residence permit.
• In the US, applicants will need to hold an F-1 Student Visa.
• In Asia, the requirements differ depending on the specific country. For example, in China, you will require an X1 Student Visa whereas in Singapore you will require a Student Pass.

Because of the significant differences between countries, we highly recommend it is highly that you check the requirements on an individual case-by-case basis. This is best done by checking the government website of the country you wish to apply to.

General Process for Applying to PhDs Abroad​​​​​​​

When applying to a PhD position, most universities regardless of where they’re located will require:

• Online Application – An electronic form to provide your details and attach all supporting documents. You will also need to make any application fees during this process if required.
• Academic Transcripts – Most universities need a scanned copy of your transcripts when applying. You will only have to submit official hard copies once they have accepted your admission.
• CV – This should include details of your previous education, undergraduate degree and any experiences revenant to the field you’re applying to.
• Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement – A letter which outlines why you’re applying to the PhD and why you believe you’re suitable for the project.
• Letters of Recommendation – this should preferably be provided by your undergraduate degree course tutor or a professor who knows you well.

Language Tests

If your PhD is to be undertaken in English and English isn’t your first language, most universities will require you to sit an English language proficiency test. The most common tests, in order of popularity, are:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems)
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• PTE (Pearson Test of English)

The minimum test scores will change from university to university. They will also vary depending on the research field. For example, research projects related to English Literature or Law will require relatively high scores whilst projects in Science and Engineering will require slightly lower scores. To provide an example, the University of Leicester in the UK requires a minimum overall IELTS score of 7 for Law PhDs but has a lower overall score requirement of 6 for Engineering PhDs.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How to Apply for PhDs in EU Countries​​​​​​​

For UK universities, there are generally two ways of applying. You can either apply directly through the university’s website or you can make an application through the UCAS Postgraduate system .

In Spain, Italy and Germany, before applying to a PhD you will first need to pass a pre-application process. This involves checking that your qualifications meet their eligibility requirements. Before undergoing this pre-screening process, it would be beneficial to first speak to your government. They may offer advice on how your countries qualification system corresponds to the qualification system in the country hosting the PhD.

Once you’ve made your application, the university will review it and get in contact with you. For most EU institutions, they will invite you for a Skype or telephone interview with them if they believe you may be a suitable candidate.

If you require a student visa to study in an EU country, it’s recommended that you submit your application at least 3-4 months before the proposed PhD start date.

How to Apply for PhDs in USA

In addition to the English language exams mentioned previously, international applicants will also need to sit additional exams to be eligible for PhDs in the USA. These are the GRE General Exam and GRE Subject Exam(s). The GRE Subject Exam(s) you will need to undertake will be specific to your field and will be specified by the university as part of their edibility requirements.

Securing a PhD position in the United States is considered relatively difficult compared to other countries. As a result, it is commonly recommended that you apply to at least 9 different universities to increase your chances of securing a position.

How to Apply for PhDs in Asia

As Asia covers a wide range of countries such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, UAE and India, their application processes naturally differ from one another. Therefore, check the specific application process for each university you’re interested to get the most accurate information.

To summarise:

• China – uses two centralised application services, CUAC and CUCAS. Both these services help international students find and apply to a PhD project in China. Students can also apply directly to a University if they wish to.
• Singapore – rather than applying to a specific research project, you will have to apply to a faculty or department within a University. Only once you have been accepted into the university department will their research projects become available to you. Like US universities, most universities in Singapore will have required you to have sat a GRE Exams prior to applying to them.
• UAE – you must apply directly to your chosen university. To be eligible for a PhD in UAE, you must hold a Master’s degree and it must be from a university recognised by their government. You will also be required to undertake GRE Exams before making your application.

How to Apply for PhDs in Australia

To apply to a PhD in Australia, you will first be expected to find and email a potential supervisor. If you’re an international student and you make an application directly to the university without doing this first, it’s highly likely that you won’t be considered for the position.

Upon discussing the project with the supervisor, they will instruct you to put in a formal application. This formal application will require the information previously outlined above.

Similar to EU institutions, if an Australian university believes you’re a strong candidate, they will likely invite you to a Skype or telephone interview.

Unlike EU universities, PhDs in Australian universities can start at any time of the year. Therefore, unless a specific funding requirement is attached to the project, there are usually no deadlines associated with applying to their PhDs. However, try to apply 3 to 4 months before you intend to start your studies.

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PhD studies at Stockholm University

Stockholm University stands as an attractive destination for those considering PhD studies. With a strong commitment to research excellence and a growing network of international collaborations, the university offers a favourable environment for advanced research and academic growth.

Stockholm University has a long tradition of research excellence spanning various fields of study, both in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Many faculty members are at the forefront of their respective disciplines, producing influential research that addresses pressing global challenges and contributing to the shaping of industries, policies and societies.

Doctoral students are employees

Moreover, Stockholm University recognizes international collaborations as an essential part of scientific research, thus actively fosters partnerships with esteemed institutions and scholars from around the world. This global perspective enriches the academic experience for PhD candidates, providing valuable insights and opportunities for cross-cultural engagement.

• Stockholm University is one of the 100 highest-ranked universities in the world and one of the top 50 universities in Europe
• We offer a wide range of research subjects within science and human science
• There are no tuition fees for doctoral education in Sweden
• Doctoral students are employees at SU and  receive salary and other standard benefits of employment.

Available PhD positions

As the academia constitutes the cradle of knowledge, I am proud of being part of this community which actively contributes in the generation of innovative ideas which target to solve everyday problems. I also enjoy the close connection to the industry in Sweden.

- Varvara Apostolopoulou Kalkavoura

Read the full interview with Varvara

Doctoral studies in Sweden

Our doctoral studies take four years and result in a degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), the highest academic degree in Sweden. During this period you will both take advanced courses in your field of interest and work in a original research project.  However, after two years, you might have the possibility to take an intermediate degree of licentiate.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to PhD studies, you need to meet the general entry requirements, the specific entry requirements, and have the ability to successfully complete your studies.

General entry requirements include a completed master’s degree from a Swedish university or at least 240 higher education credits including at least 60 at the master’s level, or the corresponding international equivalents.

Institutions may have specific eligibility requirements. Verify the requirements for your area of interest with the relevant institution.

How to apply

One thing that differentiates PhD programmes at Stockholm University and Sweden from those elsewhere is that most of our PhD students are treated like full employees of the university. PhD positions are posted alongside other jobs on our website and applications are made for specific positions. PhD positions can be announced once or twice per year, depending on funding availability.

Before sending your application, you can check the department’s website for further information about the faculty and the possibilities connected with the PhD position. You can also find specific information about the application process in the announce for the position, along with the contact person if you have further questions.

There is usually an opportunity to apply for doctoral studies both in the autumn and spring. On the institutions' websites about doctoral studies, you can find the specific dates applicable to that institution. You can also see the current doctoral positions advertised. 

Find available PhD vacancies at Stockholm University

Funding and financing doctoral studies

In most cases, doctoral students are treated as employees at Stockholm University, which means they receive a salary and other standard benefits of employment.  There is even the possibility for you to extend your period of studies by working with teaching or administrative tasks within your department, up to 20% of a full-time position, which can result in a full extra year of employment as PhD student.

However, it is possible to pursue doctoral studies at Stockholm University also in case you have an external scholarship or special agreement with a company or other external employers. In these special cases, you will be subject to your employer-specific conditions only, and be considered solely a student at Stockholm University.

Residence permits (if applicable)

If you are an international student from a country outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland and you plan to pursue a PhD in Sweden, you will need a residence permit to study in the country. The residence permit is required for stays longer than three months.

You will find more information on the Swedish Migration Agency's website:

Residence permit for doctoral studies

Faculty information

Faculty of science.

Research at the Faculty of Science covers broad knowledge areas, ranging from the elementary particles of atomic nuclei to the outermost limits of the universe, for example. Several of the faculty's institutions have been behind discoveries and scientific breakthroughs that receive recognition worldwide.

The Stockholm University BioResearch School organizes PhD courses for students at any of the Biology departments at SU no matter their subject area.

Stockholm University BioResearch School

Faculty of Humanities

Research in the humanities maintains high quality, with a wide range of subjects, allowing university researchers to engage in collaborative efforts across scientific domains. Philosophy, history, art and literary studies, journalism, linguistics, and Swedish as a second language for the deaf are examples of subjects in which research is conducted.

Those admitted to doctoral education have the opportunity to participate in the Faculty of Humanities Research School.

Faculty of Humanities Research School

Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law achieves nationally leading and internationally outstanding research. The researcher's freedom characterizes the scientific work. Legal discussions are expected to be lively, open, and ongoing.

Faculty of Social Sciences

The Faculty of Social Sciences conducts qualified and high-quality research within its various established disciplines and interdisciplinary research fields. Strong connections to current challenges for society and politics generate central research questions.

The Faculty of Social Sciences offers doctoral education courses for those admitted to an institution belonging to the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Doctoral Education Courses

Research subjects at Stockholm University

Research infrastructures at Stockholm University

The departments provide education at the PhD level

The individual departments often publish specific information doctoral studies programmes at their respective website.  All institutions offering education at the PhD level are categorized into the following fields: humanities, languages, social sciences, and law, as well as natural sciences.

Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies

• General Archaeology
• Ancient Culture and Society
• Laboratory Archaeology
• Osteoarchaeology

Doctoral studies at the Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies

Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

• Languages and Cultures of Asia
• Languages and Cultures of the Middle East

Doctoral studies at the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

Department of Culture and Aesthetics

• History of Ideas
• Art History
• Literary Studies
• Theatre Studies
• Media and Communication Studies
• Fashion Studies
• Film Studies

Doctoral studies at the Department of Culture and Aesthetics

Department of History

Doctoral studies at the Department of History

Department of Philosophy

• Practical Philosophy
• Theoretical Philosophy

Doctoral studies at the Department of Philosophy

Department of Teaching and Learning

• Didactics of Mathematics
• Didactics of Natural Sciences
• Language Didactics
• Subject Didactics with a focus on the didactics of aesthetic, humanistic, or social science subjects

Doctoral studies at the Department of Teaching and Learning

Department of English

Doctoral studies at the Department of English

Department of Linguistics

• Linguistics

Doctoral studies at the Department of Linguistics

Department of Romance and Classical Languages

• Romance Languages
• Classical Languages

Doctoral studies at the Department of Romance and Classical Languages

Department of Slavic and Baltic Studies, Finnish, Dutch and German

• Baltic Languages
• Slavic Languages

Doctoral studies at the Department of Slavic and Baltic Studies, Finnish, Dutch and German

Department of Swedish Language and Multilingualism

• Nordic Languages
• Bilingualism
• Translation Studies

Doctoral studies at the Department of Swedish Language and Multilingualism

Social sciences and law

Department of child and youth studies.

• Child and Youth Studies
• Preschool Didactics

Doctoral studies at the Department of Child and Youth Studies

Department of Computer and Systems Sciences

• Computer and Systems Sciences
• Information Society

Doctoral studies at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences

Department of Criminology

• Criminology

Doctoral studies at the Department of Criminology

Department of Economic History and International Relations

• Economic History
• International Relations

Doctoral studies at the Department of Economic History and International Relations

Department of Economics

Doctoral studies is provided in collaboration with:

Institute for International Economic Studies (IIES)

Swedish institute for social research (sofi).

Programs at the doctoral level at the Department of Economics

Department of Education 

Doctoral studies at the Department of Education

Department of Human Geography

• Geography with a Cultural Geography focus

Doctoral studies at the Department of Human Geography

Department of Political Science

• Political Science

Doctoral studies at the Department of Political Science

Department of Psychology

Doctoral studies at the Department of Psychology

Department of Public Health Sciences

• Public Health Sciences

Doctoral studies at the Department of Public Health Science

Department of Social Anthropology

• Social Anthropology

Doctoral studies at the Department of Social Anthropology

Department of Sociology

• Sociological Demography

Studies at the doctoral level at the Department of Sociology

Department of Social Work

• Social Work

Doctoral studies at the Department of Social Work

Department of Special Education

• Special Education

Doctoral studies at the Department of Special Education

Department of Statistics

Doctoral studies at the Department of Statistics

Doctoral studies at the Department of Teaching and Learnin

• International Economics
• Research and higher education in economics

Doctoral studies in Economics

Stockholm Business School

• Business Administration
• Financial Economics

Doctoral studies at Stockholm Business School

• Doctoral candidates at SOFI are enrolled in either the Department of Sociology or the Department of Economics.

Doctoral studies at the Swedish Institute for Social Research

Department of Law

• Jurisprudence

Doctoral studies at the Department of Law  

Natural Sciences

Department of ecology, environment and plant sciences.

• Ecology and Evolution
• Ecotoxicology
• Marine Biology
• Plant Physiology
• Plant Systematics

Doctoral studies at the Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences  

Department of Molecular Biosciences, Wenner-Gren Institute

• Molecular Biosciences

Doctoral studies at the Department of Molecular Biosciences, Wenner-Gren Institute

Department of Zoology

• Functional Zoomorphology
• Population Genetics
• Zoological Ecology
• Zoological Systematics and Evolution

Doctoral studies at the Department of Zoology

Stockholm Resilience Centre

• Sustainability Science

Doctoral studies at Stockholm Resilience Centre

Earth and Environmental Sciences

Department of geological sciences.

• Geochemistry
• Marine Geology

Doctoral studies at the Department of Geological Sciences  

Department of Environmental Science

• Environmental Science

Doctoral studies at the Department of Environmental Science

Department of Physical Geography

• Physical Geography

Doctoral studies at the Department of Physical Geography

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics Biophysics

• Biochemistry
• Biochemistry towards bioinformatics

Doctoral studies at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics  

Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry

• Analytical Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Materials Chemistry
• Neurochemistry with Molecular biology
• Inorganic Chemistry

Doctoral studies at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry  

Department of Organic Chemistry

• Organic Chemistry

Doctoral studies at the Department of Organic Chemistry

Math/Physics

Department of physics.

• Chemical Physics
• Medical Radiation Physics
• Theoretical Physics

Doctoral studies at the Department of Physics  

Department of Astronomy

Doctoral studies at the Department of Astronomy  

Department of Mathematics

• Computational Mathematics
• Mathematics
• Mathematical Statistics

Doctoral studies at the Department of Mathematics

Department of Meteorology

• Atmospheric Science and Oceanography

Doctoral studies at the Department of Meteorology

For a general study plan in any natural science subject, please contact  [email protected].

The graduation ceremony

Every year, over 200 PhD students defend their thesis at Stockholm Universit, and get a chance to celebrate their achievement at the Stockholm City Hall.

Opportunities abroad for PhD students

There are several ways to participate in international mobility experiences during your PhD studies.

Find possible exchange opportunities for PhD students here

Available PhD Student Positions

On the employee web portal PhD students will find more detailed information about the dissertation defence process .

Last updated: February 6, 2024

Source: Offices of Human Science and Science, Communications Office and Student Services

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• Study in Europe /

Find the best PhD in Europe to study

• Updated on  
• Dec 7, 2023

The globally acclaimed educational institutions of Europe are founded on the principle of research and innovation and the continent is also home to the headquarters of several renowned multinational enterprises as well as state-of-the-art centres of scientific exploration. Geneva, Berlin and Paris are amongst the top preferred study destinations in Europe. Moreover, offering international-level exposure and knowledge into a varied range of fields and specialisations, the continent attracts an immense number of students from all nooks and corners of the world every year who enrol across an array of bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programmes . Particularly, a PhD in Europe is a highly specialized degree program provided in a multitude of specialised disciplines. If you are planning to pursue a doctoral degree in the continent, here is a detailed guide on the key essentials you should know before applying for a PhD in Europe .

Also Read: PhD after MTech

This Blog Includes:

Phd in europe: eligibility requirements, research proposal, phd in europe: how to apply, phd in europe: top study destinations.

A doctoral degree like a PhD is undertaken as research in a particular topic within a subject, such as a PhD in English on ‘Shakespearean Literature’ or a PhD in Economics on ‘Market Volatility’. European institutions offer flexibility as to the constituents of a PhD degree in terms of duration, thesis, the language of instruction, coursework, and teaching requirements, amongst others. Usually, a PhD in Europe lasts for a minimum of 3 years extending to 5-6 years and the application requirements mandate submission of a research proposal to the professor, department or at the application portal. Prospective students are advised to visit course websites for the latest information.

Applicants need to fulfil some minimum eligibility conditions in order to pursue a PhD in Europe. Many universities generally require candidates to have a master’s degree in their chosen field of study. However, in some cases, institutions may also admit students on the basis of a high-ranking bachelor’s degree. Further, a minimum score is required throughout all postsecondary qualifications, for instance, in the UK, a first or upper-second-class UK honours degree or its international equivalent. 

A considerable number of European institutions require prospective applicants to submit a research proposal which details the intended topic of research that the applicant wishes to pursue at the institution. Further, it also delineates the professors under which the applicant wishes to work and how it will help him in developing his interest. The university strives for a balance between the expectations of the applicant and the facilities it is providing so as to promote student development.

In comparison to institutions in USA , Canada and Australia , a PhD in Europe is affordable in terms of tuition fees, living costs and other expenses. Further, besides university-based funding in the form of scholarships, assistantships etc, the country of study also offers diverse funding opportunities like monthly stipends, research assistantships, tuition fee waivers and country-based scholarships.

• GRE Scholarships
• Education Loan without Collateral

The process of application for a PhD in Europe can be undertaken in two ways. One, through direct professor approach and recommendation (only a few students get admission through this way) and the other through the traditional application process. The former method requires you to approach a professor at the university from your field and ask for an admission recommendation. If the professor is impressed by your academic qualifications and experience, you will be offered a PhD admission to the university. On the other hand, the conventional application process is similar to the regular application procedure and requires you to upload all the necessary documents such as LOR , SOP and resume amongst others along with submitting the application fee. After a month or two encompassing the evaluation process, the university will provide the list of selected students on their admission portal.

There are a plethora of study destinations in Europe that offer quality educational programs in an array of fields and specializations. The continent is home to some of the best academic institutions in the world and is home to an immense number of research centres and universities. Here is a list of major study destinations in Europe and their renowned institutions along with other specific details about PhD programs offered.

Home to one of the top universities in the world, the United Kingdom (UK) provide a huge number of PhD and research opportunities spanning a multitude of specialisations from Business Administration to disciplines of Liberal Arts. Most UK universities will essentially need a master’s degree as well as English language proficiency tests such as IELTS and TOEFL as key eligibility prerequisites for a PhD program.

Duration: Minimum 3 years; full-time

Institutions: University of Bristol , University of Manchester , University of Sussex etc.

Also Read: Cost of Studying in UK for Indian Students

German universities are internationally renowned for their offered range of Science and Engineering programs. Providing courses with low or almost no tuition fees, Germany also has an array of government grants for international students aspiring to pursue a PhD. These grants are availed by DAAD and Excellence Initiative with an aim to equip meritorious students with financial assistance for PhD programs.

Duration: 3-4 years

Institutions: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen ; TU Munchen, Humboldt University Berlin etc.

Also Read: Study in Germany Without IELTS

France is another prominent European study destination for those aspiring to pursue PhD programs in technical fields such as Engineering, Information Technology, amongst others. The tuition fees for PhD courses in French universities are typically low and students are allowed to pursue independent research programmes at the elitist institutions of the country. Further, you can also go for dual-degree courses that are an exceptional combination of a master’s degree and a PhD.

Institutions: Université PSL , Ecole Polytechnique, etc

With the perks of affordable education and living costs, Finland is home to two of the world’s renowned research universities, i.e. the University of Helsinki and the Aalto University. Further, major PhD courses are offered in English and you don’t necessarily need to learn Finnish to pursue a course in the country.

Institutions: University of Helsinki , Aalto University, University of Eastern Finland etc.

Also Read: Study in Finland

Located at the heart of Europe, Austria provides a multitude of PhD programs in interdisciplinary specialisations of several disciplines such as Engineering, Applied Sciences, Humanities, etc. The country is home to a wide range of academic institutions offering opportunities in professional, medical and technical research.

Institutions: MODUL University of Vienna , University of Innsbruck, University of Graz, etc.

Emerging rapidly as a cosmopolitan hub, Belgium is internationally popular for its PhD programs in Political Science and International Relations. There are several reputable educational institutions in the country providing highly stimulating research opportunities for budding scholars. Also, the living costs and course fees are relatively lower as compared to other European cities.

Institutions: Universite de Liege , University of Mons, Université libre de Bruxelles, etc.

International researchers are welcome at Germany’s research organisations, universities, and enterprises, which provide good prospects for PhD students. Every year, over 29,000 graduate students complete a PhD in Germany, significantly more than in any other European Union member state.

Each European country is free to determine its own costs for doctorates and other degrees. However, EU member countries must charge the same tuition to students from other EU countries that they do on their own.

In general, it takes at least four years to earn a PhD in Europe, and examinations are not frequently necessary, as they are in other countries such as the United States.

Hence, Europe is filled with immense possibilities for those striving for PhD programs in specialised disciplines. If you are planning to pursue PhD in Europe, using the AI tool at Leverage Edu you can browse through various European institutions and their offered courses solely based on your unique interests, thereby helping you find the right doctoral program in your chosen field.

Team Leverage Edu

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Find your PhD position in Germany

Before you start your search ....

Before you start your search you should know that there are different PhD models:

• Individual doctorate  or
• Structured PhD programmes

What's the difference? Check out our  overview of the various ways to do your PhD in Germany  

Find your individual doctorate

The "traditional" or "individual" path to a PhD remains the most common in Germany. An individual doctorate involves a thesis or dissertation that is produced under the  supervision of one professor . This form of PhD study offers a great deal of  flexibility , but demands a high degree of  personal initiative  and responsibility.

How to find your PhD supervisor

In Germany there is no central admissions or selection office for doctoral students. Therefore, your first step is to find a suitable professor who is willing to be your supervisor.

One way to find a supervisor is to look for a university institute that matches your area of research. The following online search engines might help you find a suitable supervisor:

• GERiT – German research institutions GERiT is a website containing information on approximately 29,000 research institutions in Germany. GERiT allows the user to search easily by location or subject. It provides all the information needed to choose an institution at which to research, study or do a doctorate. www.gerit.org
• Finding a PhD position PhDGermany publishes PhD openings in Germany that specifically target international applicants. Accordingly, in most cases the working language is English. Fluent knowledge of German is only required for certain special positions. PhDGermany helps you find the right PhD opening or supervisor for your doctoral thesis and assists you with the online application process. www.phdgermany.de
• Higher Education Compass   This database provides up-to-date information from universities about doctoral opportunities in Germany. The search engine enables you to carry out targeted searches on the basis of departments, admission requirements and form of doctoral thesis. www.higher-education-compass.de

Furthermore,  your contacts with your professors or previous university  could help direct you to a suitable department or potential supervisor in Germany.

It is also helpful to attend  academic conferences  in your own subject area. There you will be able to exchange information and make contacts ­– and perhaps even find a future PhD supervisor.

Find your structured PhD programme

DAAD/Ausserhofer/Himsel

Structured PhD programmes in Germany are frequently very similar to the PhD programmes in English-speaking countries, in which a  team of supervisors  look after a  group of doctoral students . Around 12,000 doctoral students from abroad – roughly one in four – do their PhDs in structured programmes. As a rule, it is possible to complete a doctorate in four to five years.

Where to find your PhD programme

There is no central database of all structured PhD programmes in Germany. You can usually find these programmes directly through the respective universities, graduate schools or non-university research institutions. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) database is also a good place to look. Here you will find a large number of PhD programmes that are specially aimed at international doctoral students.

International doctoral programme database

Are you interested in an international doctoral programme in Germany? This DAAD database presents a selection of roughly 230 international doctoral programmes in Germany. The database can be searched according to different criteria.  www.daad.de/international-programmes 

Doctoral programmes at universities

Many universities offer structured doctoral programmes, which they publicise on their websites. The Student Advisory Service or Graduate Centre at the respective university will also provide help here. You can find the relevant addresses using the Higher Education Compass provided by the German Rectors’ Conference. www.higher-education-compass.de

​​​​​​​DFG-funded research training groups

Research training groups are also funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation, DFG) for a period of up to nine years. Their key emphasis is on the qualification of doctoral researchers within the framework of a focused research programme and a structured training strategy. www.dfg.de > Current Research Training Groups

Helmholtz Research Schools, Colleges and Graduate Schools

The Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organisation. In collaboration with various institutions of higher education, Helmholtz Association research centres have established structured PhD programmes under the auspices of Helmholtz Graduate Schools, Helmholtz Research Schools and Colleges.  www.helmholtz.de > PhD Candidates 

Leibniz Graduate Schools

The Leibniz Association connects 97 research institutes that conduct problem-oriented research and provide scientific infrastructure of national and international importance. Together with universities they run structured PhD programmes in Leibniz Graduate Schools. www.leibniz-association.eu > Leibniz Graduate Schools

International Max Planck Research Schools

The Max Planck Society specialises in innovative basic research and its institutes are able to offer up-and-coming researchers excellent infrastructure and support. The website lists the programmes available at International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS):  www.mpg.de > International Max Planck Research Schools  

Max Planck Schools

In Germany, the best researchers in a specific field are often work at different universities and non-university research institutions spread throughout the country. The Max Planck Schools serve as hubs which gather this distributed knowledge. Here, the brightest minds in their fields have come together from within the scientific community to interconnect in faculties made up of active researchers. Students gain access to these unique networks, learn in close personal exchange from leaders in their fields and their peers, and enjoy access to outstanding infrastructure. Currently, three Schools are operating in the fields of Cognition, Matter to Life, and Photonics. www.maxplanckschools.de

Where can I find out about requirements?

Application procedures  differ from programme to programme . The precise requirements and deadlines can be found on the website of the respective university, research training group or graduate school. You should therefore first choose a PhD programme and/or graduate school.

You've found the position you want to apply for, but how does applying to a potential supervisor or structured PhD programme work in Germany? Find out more here.

DAAD/Jan Zappner

We help you navigate through the large number of job portals that specialise in openings for academics and scientists. These are some of the sites that may get you started.

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Check out our brochure

Doing a phd in germany (2019, 40 pages).

This booklet for (prospective) international doctoral students presents the different options for doing a doctorate in Germany. It explains the formal requirements and gives some practical advice on finding the right supervisor or doctoral programme. It also outlines different sponsorship and funding options.

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How to Find Your PhD Position in Germany

Are you looking for a doctoral position in Germany? In the DAAD databases, you can find open PhD positions in all fields and all over Germany. When you have found an offer that matches your interests you can apply online at the offering university.

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Doing a PhD in Europe vs. the US

Are you thinking of doing a PhD abroad? There are some considerable differences between European and American PhD programs that you should know about before applying. Read on to determine which program is right for you.

Qualifications

It is often not possible to do a PhD in Europe without first earning a Master’s degree. In the US, many PhD programs accept applicants who only have a Bachelor's degree. Students usually earn a Master’s as part of the PhD program after they have completed a few years of coursework and passed certain exams. This doesn't mean that all doctoral candidates in American PhD programs have entered the program straight from undergrad. Several still choose to do a Master’s first before applying for a PhD. In some programs students who already have a Master's might not be required to take as many courses as students with just a Bachelor’s, but this isn't always the case. 

Time to Degree

European PhD programs are shorter than those in the US. For example, it takes three years to complete a PhD in France, Norway, the UK, and Germany. Across Europe, a three to four year PhD in common. In comparison, six years is the average time to degree in the US with many PhDs in the humanities taking seven or eight years to earn their degree.

Thesis Topic

PhD candidates in Europe must choose their thesis topic and supervisor during the application process. Students apply for specific vacant doctoral projects that are usually tied to a professor’s research. As part of their application, they must create a research proposal for this project. It is also possible (in the UK for example) to apply to a department rather than a specific position, but applicants must still include a research proposal and are advised to contact potential supervisors before applying. In the US, candidates apply to a department’s PhD program, rather than a specific PhD project. While they have to discuss their research interests and identify potential supervisors in their applications, students do not decide on their thesis topic until their second or third year. In fact, many science and engineering programs have students rotate between different labs in their first year before deciding on their supervisor and dissertation project.

Teaching Requirement

PhD candidates occasionally have the opportunity to teach in Europe, although teaching is not a requirement in many countries. In the US, PhD candidates are often required to teach undergraduates, often as teaching assistants for a large lecture class. A teaching assistant leads smaller tutorials for 20-30 students and grades their exams and papers. Most PhD students will TA one class each semester for two to three years. Several American PhD programs also have mandatory pedagogy courses for graduate students.

Many European PhD programs require students to do little to no coursework. Candidates start working on their dissertation projects right away. American PhD programs, regardless of the field, require students to take two to three years of courses and seminars about topics across the discipline before they being working on their dissertation.

Funding and Salary

In several European countries, PhD students are seen as employees and have work contracts. As employees, PhD students pay into health insurance, pension, and unemployment insurance. In countries where PhD students are not employees (such as the UK and Italy) students apply for university scholarships, external fellowships, or research grants for funding. Tuition fees are drastically lower in many European countries compared to the United States. Funding at American universities varies widely, as do tuition fees. Private universities have higher tuition than public state schools (though international students usually higher tuition at state schools). The top schools offer five-year funding packages which cover tuition and fees and provide a monthly stipend. They also often include health insurance and conference travel. At other schools, students must compete for fellowships at the university, state, or national level to fund their PhDs. In some departmnets students will be paid and receive partial tuition credit for take teaching assistantship or research assistantship positions.

Comprehensive Exams

Most European PhD programs do not require students to pass qualifying exams to progress through their PhDs. There are some notable exceptions, like Sweden, where PhD candidates do an oral and written exam at the halfway point of their PhD. In the US, students usually have to pass a series of comprehensive exams before they can start working on their dissertation. The exams test the student’s knowledge of the major fields within their discipline. While every university will have a slightly different exam structure, there is usually an oral and a written component. Sometimes students also have to orally defend their dissertation proposal. After the candidate has completed their coursework and passed all the required exams they are considered ABD (all but dissertation).

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Study in Europe 2022 "How to do a funded PhD in Europe"

Join us on Saturday, 24 September at 4pm (Singapore) to learn how you can carry out your doctoral training in Europe and how EURAXESS can support you on this journey! 

Europe boasts a huge diversity of opportunities for doctoral training. European PhD programmes enjoy international recognition for excellence thus providing an exceptional career launch pad for young researchers.

Many European countries charge very little or no fees for PhD studies while also offering scholarships for international applicants. The European Commission’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) offer funding for thousands of PhD students each year to carry out their doctoral research across Europe.

Find out about the MSCA Doctoral Fellowships and get tips & advice for your PhD journey from ASEAN PhD students in Europe!

The webinar will be held in English.

How to Find Fully-Funded PhD Positions in Europe

• October 31, 2022
• Admission Guidance , Post graduate , Scholarships & Financial Aid , Student Admission , Study Abroad

Finding a fully-funded PhD abroad is not a straightforward process. In fact, for Indian applicants, the process is even tougher due to a variety of reasons. In this post, Ankita Murmu, who has written popular posts earlier on Stoodnt, writes about her PhD admission journey.

Fully-Funded PhD in Bioinformatics Admission Journey

By Ankita Murmu

A PhD was not something I wanted to step into initially. But here I am, a first-year PhD student at the Department of Bioinformatics , Semmelweis University .

Initial Struggles with Finding Internships Abroad

My decision to apply for a PhD admission started while I was still pursuing my master’s degree. I became interested in bioinformatics while working on my master’s thesis and decided to continue my research passion in this field.

Since the beginning, I had a clear idea about which research areas interested me. At that time, I had zero knowledge about how to get a PhD abroad.

I always wanted to go abroad to gain research experience. I did try for a few research internships during my bachelor’s as well as during my master’s. However, I wasn’t lucky enough to get into one!

Competition for PhD Admissions in India

My first option was definitely to pursue my PhD in India. Moving abroad was my plan B. I talked to a lot of people; my professors, friends, and family members regarding whether India or abroad would be better to pursue my PhD.

To be honest, the more I talked to people the more I got confused. But that didn’t let me lose my passion to pursue my PhD. I started applying to the PhD admission calls from all the premier institutions in India such as IITs and IISC during the last semester of my master’s.

I had the perception that because I have a valid GATE score, it would be easy for me to get admission. But things turned out to be quite the opposite. The competition to secure a few seats was extremely high. I got selected for a few interviews but couldn’t qualify for any of them. Although that was demotivating, I didn’t lose hope. I turned to my plan B!

Turning on to Plan B: Fully-Funded PhD Abroad

It did feel fuzzy at the beginning on how to go ahead with my PhD hunting abroad. So, I did a lot of research regarding this.

I had my mind fixed on going to universities within Europe majorly because of the less time duration to complete the PhD and research facilities.

I wanted to work on complex diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease using bioinformatics and wet-lab approaches. Accordingly, I started targeting those professors whose research interests matched mine.

So, I started cold-emailing professors in well-known institutes like the Center for Gene Regulation (CRG), European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), and many more based on my research interests and the research profile of the professors.

Recommended Reading: Ph.D. in Biomedical / Biological / Life Sciences – Tips For Application and Admission

Centralized PhD Applications

However, I realized that some of these institutes’ PhD recruitment process is not in the hands of the supervisor but a completely different committee. They have their open PhD calls once or twice a year where the potential candidates have to apply and the hiring committee decides whom to select.

This kind of application is quite competitive and they look into many aspects of the candidate’s application such as previous research experience, previous grades, universities, publications, etc. Also, if the professor knows you it gives you an edge!

To be honest, Google was the first source in helping me get an idea about how to write cold emails to professors, or prepare a CV or a cover letter. I used to modify my emails each time I sent them. I believe this was important to make the professor who reads the email not think that I just copy pasted!

The objective was to make them think that I genuinely put my efforts into writing that email and I am very much interested in their research.

Important things I kept in mind while cold emailing professors to get a fully-funded PhD Abroad:

• I kept my emails concise and to the point. Nobody has time to read long emails!
• I highlighted the important words in “bold”. Eye-catching!
• I emphasized how I can fit into their research team by using my skill sets. Basically, convincing them to take me!
• I read their recent research papers and highlighted something that I liked or that I can further contribute to. Researchers or Professors love when someone praises their work!

Recommended Reading: How to Email Potential Supervisors: Tips by Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Recipient

My Experience of Finding a Fully-Funded PhD in Europe

The first few months of my PhD hunt were quite frustrating. I used to email 10-20 professors from different institutes or departments every day. Sometimes I used to get polite responses from most of the supervisors only when they are not taking PhD students other times it was just silent.

Then I tried a different approach. I started applying for open positions advertised on websites like findAPhd , Euraxess , and academic positions. Naturecareers and also on LinkedIn and the websites of the universities.

These open positions just ask for a CV and a cover letter and I felt it was an easy way to apply. But soon I realized this is the narrow and the harder way as the position requirements are mostly for one PhD student and the professors get hundreds of applications for that one position.

Luckily, I was invited for my first interview when I applied for one of the open PhD positions at the University of Warsaw. Similarly, I attended 10 more interviews from different universities but couldn’t make it to anyone of them.

I realized that my rejections were mostly due to my lack of bioinformatics skills. So, to upgrade my skills in bioinformatics, I attended workshops, took some online courses, participated in a Hackathon, and underwent internships as well.

I didn’t look for any Research Assistant or Junior Research Fellow positions because I wanted to focus entirely on my PhD hunting. Although, I would suggest anyone who wants to pursue a PhD abroad ( mostly if it’s within Europe ) gain at least one year of research experience before starting their PhD.

Networking and Family Support Always Help

I started my PhD hunting in the month of February 2021 and it was until October 2021 that I had no positive responses. It was discouraging and demotivating for me and I started losing hope.

My family was my biggest support during those times. I didn’t give up.

I came to know about the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship from one of my friends. The application opens in mid of November so I started contacting professors in August 2021.

Connecting with the Right Supervisor for a Fully-Funded PhD Abroad

It was at the beginning of November 2021 that my current supervisor invited me for an interview and voila! He was so impressed with my resume and bioinformatics skills that he wanted to hire me as a PhD student.

Again, the challenge was that I could only join his research group if I was successful in getting the scholarship.

Some Good News

In February 2022, my joy knew no bounds when I was nominated for the scholarship by the University Grants Commission, India. Finally, some hope and confidence started to build up in me in making my dream come true. But, I still had to wait for the final results until June 2022.

In between those months, I also received another PhD offer from Bar Ilan University, Israel. One of the professors I was working with on a remote project from Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany also decided to offer me a PhD position. But due to a delay in funding, I decided not to consider that (as I didn’t want to lose another year).

Finally, after receiving 40 rejections and waiting for almost a year, I was offered the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship and a PhD position at the Department of Bioinformatics, Semmelweis University under Prof. Balázs Győrffy .

Not only I got it in my country of choice (within Europe) but also in the research area I was interested in. My PhD work revolves around analyzing multi-omics data for different cancer types and focusing on their diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic applications.

Recommended Reading: Fully-Funded PhD in Cancer Biology in Australia for Indian Applicant with Pharma Background

Tips for Finding Fully-Funded PhD Abroad

I would like to end this article by giving a few tips on PhD hunting based on my experience:

• You need a strong motivation to engage in PhD research. As simple as this sounds, it is important for students to know if having a PhD degree is the right step to take in the first place.
• Have a clear picture of what you want to do. Start planning early. A good PhD research takes a lot of time to conceive.
• Start building your skills and research profile based on your research interests.
• When you are applying for a PhD program and you are allowed to choose your own supervisor, try to look for a supervisor who would have your interest at heart. Ask the current graduate students (I personally did that)and check the supervisor’s profile thoroughly!
• I believe that the institution doesn’t matter much but if you have an excellent lab group and a supportive supervisor your PhD journey will be more fruitful.
• Surround yourself with people who can motivate you while you go through your PhD hunting process. This will help you a lot to not lose focus.
• Finally, have faith in yourself and be confident. Hard work always pays off!

If you have any questions or need any help in your PhD hunting you can always connect with me on LinkedIn .

About Ankita Murmu:

Ankita worked as a Data Curation Intern at NuGenomics. She completed her Bachelors & Masters in Biotechnology and interned at CSIR, Pine Biotech, and Guwahati Biotech Park.

Ankita comes from a land of the highest tea production in India and a place known for its red rivers and blue hills – Assam. Writing articles is her passion, traveling is her hobby and, she is a huge lover of food. 

You might also like to read Ankita’s Previous Articles:

B.Tech. Biotechnology Career Path in India: A Student’s Point of View

Common Problems Faced by Biotechnology Students in India – A Student’s Perspective

Why Learn Programming to Make it Big in Biotechnology & Bioinformatics

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