A PhD abroad (promovieren im Ausland) means that you complete your doctorate fully or partly at a university outside Germany. The routes differ considerably, because structure, admission and funding depend on the country and often on the individual university. This guide shows you the models, the points to clarify before you start, and where to find binding information.
Kurz beantwortet: A PhD abroad follows the rules of the host country and the university. With binational supervision, you usually stay enrolled at your German home university. A cotutelle is a formal procedure in which two universities jointly award one doctorate. Before you start, clarify admission, supervision, funding, title and insurance. Last updated: October 2026.
The Most Important Points in Brief
- A PhD abroad is governed by the doctoral regulations and rules of the university where you do it.
- With binational supervision, the doctorate stays at your German university, and a foreign university takes on second supervision.
- A cotutelle rests on an individual agreement between the universities and ends with a joint doctorate.
- Settle admission, supervision, funding and insurance in writing before you leave.
- Whether a doctorate obtained abroad may be used in Germany is a separate question that you need to check on its own.
What Does a PhD Abroad Actually Mean?
Several models are often mixed up. In a full doctorate at a foreign university, you follow that university’s doctoral regulations, supervision and final degree. In binational supervision, the doctorate stays at your German university, and you carry out parts of your research abroad. The University of Marburg describes the difference clearly: a cotutelle (cotutelle de thèse) is a formal procedure in which two universities from different countries jointly award a doctorate. Without this procedure, only a title of the home university is awarded (University of Marburg, binational doctorate, retrieved October 2026, in German).
A different route is the cooperative doctorate within Germany, in which two institutions in the same country supervise together. The basics are explained in Kooperative Promotion an der Fachhochschule (in German).
Which Points Should You Check Before You Start?
The table lists the points that come up in almost every procedure. You will usually find the answers in the doctoral regulations, on the university’s website or from the international office responsible for you.
| Checkpoint | What to look out for | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Admission | Whether your degree and language certificates meet the programme’s requirements | Doctoral regulations and admission pages of the university |
| Supervision | Who supervises and assesses you, how often you meet, and who decides on your stay abroad | Supervision agreement of the universities |
| Employment or scholarship | Whether you work, receive a scholarship or fund the doctorate yourself | Employment contract or grant notice |
| Degree and title | Which degree is awarded and whether a joint certificate is issued | The university’s information on cotutelle or degrees |
| Insurance | Which cover applies during your stay, including work or a scholarship abroad | Information from the university and your health insurer |
Funding rules differ from country to country. The overview of the German routes is in PhD funding: position, scholarship or own savings.
Also clarify in which language you write, and in which language assessment and the defence take place. This determines how much time you should plan for language courses, translations or proofreading. Agreeing requirements on length and format with both supervisors early avoids rework, because expectations can differ between two institutions.
How International Is the Doctorate in Germany?
According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), there were around 216,200 doctoral candidates in Germany in 2025. Of these, 25 percent, or 54,200 people, held a foreign nationality (status: October 2026, press release of 26 August 2026, in German). The figure shows how international doctoral study in Germany already is. It does not tell you how many German doctoral candidates study abroad.
How Is a Foreign Doctorate Recognised in Germany?
Whether you may use a doctorate obtained abroad in Germany is a separate question. It depends on the rules for recognition and the use of the title. The German guide DBA: recognition and use of the title in Germany explains the basics (in German). If you are unsure, ask the competent authority before you use the title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I stay enrolled in Germany during a binational doctorate?
With binational supervision, the doctorate stays at your German university. The foreign university takes on second supervision and can take part in assessment and examination, as the University of Marburg describes. Whether you stay enrolled during a research stay abroad is set out in your university’s doctoral regulations.
Do I need a written supervision agreement?
The University of Marburg recommends an agreement with both supervisors. It should record when and for how long you will research abroad, in which language you work, and how the assessment is organised. Such an agreement creates clarity before the work begins.
Which documents do I need for admission?
The university decides which documents it requires. Common items are degree certificates, a research proposal and proof of language skills. Check early whether translations or certified copies are needed, because obtaining them can take a long time before your application is complete.
How can I fund a PhD abroad?
That depends on the model. Options include a position at the university, a scholarship or your own resources. The guide PhD funding explains the differences. Clarify funding in the host country separately, because employment and grant rules differ.
How am I insured during a PhD abroad?
That depends on your status, your place of residence and the country where you stay. Clarify the question with the university and your health insurer before you leave. The overview for doctoral candidates in Germany is in Health Insurance During a PhD in Germany (in English).
What to Do Next
- Decide whether you are aiming for a full doctorate abroad or for binational supervision. Each model involves different agreements.
- Read the doctoral regulations of both universities and note the deadlines for admission and submission.
- Ask for a written supervision agreement or a draft before you sign anything.
- Clarify funding, title and insurance before you leave, and check how the title is recognised in Germany.
Related Topics
- PhD in Germany: routes, titles and requirements.
- PhD funding: position, scholarship or own savings.
- Health insurance during a PhD: what applies in Germany.
- Cooperative doctorate in Germany: Kooperative Promotion an der Fachhochschule (in German).
Sources: Federal Statistical Office, press release on doctoral candidates, 26 August 2026 (in German); University of Marburg, information on binational doctorates, retrieved October 2026 (in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
