Individual doctoral program
The traditional path, taken by over three-quarters of all doctoral students in Germany, is the individual doctoral program. To pursue this path, you must find a university professor who works in your field and will supervise your dissertation. Depending on your research topic, you may want to write your dissertation alone or with other scientists. You can pursue your doctorate at a university, equivalent institution of higher education, research organization, or in the industrial sector—you decide which suits you best. The average duration of a doctorate is five to six years.
Doctoral Studies at Hochschule Bremen
At Hochschule Bremen (HSB), you can complete an individual doctoral program in cooperation with a German or international university. In this case, the doctoral degree is awarded by the cooperating university. As a cooperative doctoral candidate, you will typically have a supervisor at HSB and a supervisor at the partner university. The advantage of this option is that you benefit from different perspectives and opportunities, and thanks to your application-oriented research, you often gain direct contacts in the field. A cooperative doctoral program at HSB usually lasts three years. Learn more about the current doctoral projects at HSB.
HSB will offer its own doctoral programs
Like most universities of applied sciences (HAWs) in Germany, HSB did not previously have the right to award doctorates. However, this changed in 2024 when the state of Bremen created the legal conditions for awarding doctoral rights to research-intensive areas of its universities with the Bremen Doctoral Regulation. In the future, HSB will be able to offer its own doctoral programs in these areas. Currently, applications for the granting of doctoral rights in the first doctoral networks are being prepared at HSB in cooperation with Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences. Cooperative doctoral programs will continue to be offered alongside HSB's own programs. Both types of programs will coexist on an equal footing in the future.
PhD — Structured Doctoral Programs
As an alternative to individual doctoral studies, Germany offers structured doctoral programs. These programs are similar to the Anglo-Saxon PhD system. In English-speaking countries, the PhD (Latin: Philosophiae Doctor, meaning "Doctor of Philosophy") is the highest postgraduate academic degree. Contrary to what the literal translation "Doctor of Philosophy" suggests, it is not tied to a specific academic discipline. This model provides constant, intensive supervision by a team of advisors and includes an interdisciplinary curriculum. You will also develop your academic and scientific method skills (e.g. presentation techniques) and soft skills. The systematic approach of this type of program enables you to complete your doctorate in three to five years. PhD programs often have an international focus, and English is often the language of instruction.
In Germany, the individual doctorate differs from the PhD in the following ways:
- Supervision: For an individual doctorate, one professor usually provides supervision, whereas several professors usually supervise doctoral students pursuing a PhD.
- Structure: The individual doctorate is comparatively flexible and usually combines dissertation writing with scientific work at an institute. A PhD, on the other hand, has a structured curriculum that includes a dissertation in addition to the usual courses.
- Scientific focus: The individual doctorate focuses on independent scientific work on a specific research topic, while the PhD focuses more on general scientific research.
- Duration: The duration of an individual doctorate depends on your schedule or the term of your employment contract. On average, it takes five to six years. A PhD usually takes three to five years.
- Financing: PhD programs are typically advertised publicly and often include scholarships or job positions for doctoral students. Individual doctoral students are typically funded through academic work at their respective universities or research organizations, scholarships, and funding programs. In the case of industrial doctorates, funding comes from corporate partnerships. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the largest scholarship provider for doctorates in Germany. Use the DAAD scholarship database to find the right funding opportunities for your doctoral project.
You are well suited for an individual doctoral program if you:
- Enjoy working independently
- Have your own research topic
- Want to pursue a long-term career in science or research
You are well suited for a Ph.D. program if you:
- Need structure and clear schedules
- Enjoy teamwork
- Are looking for fully funded programs
Interested? For more information about doctoral studies in Germany, we recommend visiting the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space website.
