What a medical doctorate costs cannot be answered with one figure. Fees, printing, publication and above all time depend on the regulations of your university and on your project. This guide shows which cost items are typical, what a doctoral regulation documents clearly, and how to set up a cost framework with clearly marked assumptions.
Short answer: A doctorate in medicine does not carry fees at every university. The doctoral regulations of the Faculty of Medicine in Leipzig from 2016 list no amounts. Handing in the four printed copies to the library is free of charge there. Fees are often set in a separate fee schedule. The largest items are frequently time and publication. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- Fees are set differently at each university. Check the fee schedule of your faculty.
- The Leipzig regulations list no fees. The four printed copies must be handed to the library free of charge.
- Printing, binding and publication can be separate cost items.
- The largest item is often time, not money.
- Mark every figure you cannot document as an assumption.
Which cost items exist?
A doctorate costs more than fees. Typical items are procedural fees, the submission of printed copies, publication and open-access costs, literature and software, and travel to conferences. Which of these apply to you depends on the regulations of your university and on your project.
| Item | Where the rule comes from | What to note |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural fees | Fee schedule of the university | The Leipzig regulations of 2016 contain no amounts |
| Printed copies | Doctoral regulations, in Leipzig section 16(2) | Handing in to the library is free, but printing and binding can still cost money |
| Publication | Publisher or journal | Open-access fees depend on the publisher |
| Literature and software | Your work plan | Clarify licences through the university |
| Time | Your work plan and your position | Often the largest item |
What do the Leipzig regulations say?
The doctoral regulations of the Faculty of Medicine in Leipzig dated 23 August 2016 show how differently such regulations are structured. They list no fees, costs or charges. Under section 16(2), handing in the four printed copies to the university library is free of charge.
This does not mean that a doctorate in Leipzig is free of charge. Fees can be set in a separate regulation that these doctoral regulations do not contain. The regulations date from 2016, so check whether they still apply or have been replaced, and ask the doctoral office in writing for the current fees.
Worked example: what adds up?
The following calculation is an example with assumptions. It does not apply to a particular university but shows which items can add up. Replace the assumptions with the quotes from your printer and the prices of your publisher.
| Item | Assumption | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Printing and binding of 4 copies | Assumption: 40 euros per copy | 160 euros |
| Open-access publication | Assumption: 1,500 euros per article | 1,500 euros |
| Literature and software | Assumption: 300 euros per year over 3 years | 900 euros |
| Procedural fees | Depends on the university, not included here | according to the fee schedule |
The sum of the assumptions without fees is 2,560 euros. Fees under your fee schedule come on top. Time follows its own calculation. Assumption: 10 hours per week over 3 years, 40 weeks per year, gives about 1,200 hours. These hours appear in no invoice, but they take up most of your resources.
Which costs can you reduce yourself?
You can reduce costs by clarifying early which copies are required and by comparing publication routes. Many publishers and journals state their fees openly on their websites. Some universities have their own publication fund, so ask the doctoral office or the library.
Travel costs can often be avoided too. According to the Marburg page, the application for acceptance can be sent by post and does not require an in-person visit. Ask your university which steps you can complete in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay fees for a doctorate?
That depends on your university. The Leipzig regulations list no amounts. Other universities set fees in separate regulations. Ask the doctoral office before you register and get the answer in writing.
Are the printed copies always free?
In Leipzig, handing them in to the library is free of charge under section 16(2). You still have to arrange the printing yourself, and that can cost money. Check your university rules on format, binding and number before you order.
Is an open-access publication worth the money?
That is a trade-off. Open-access fees depend on the publisher and can be well above what you expect. The decision depends on the journal, your field and any funding, not on a general rule.
How much time should I plan for?
Plan your time in the work plan before you talk about money. The worked example above shows with assumptions how many hours three years at moderate effort add up to. If you collect data or work in a laboratory, the need rises considerably.
How do you build a cost framework?
Split your budget into three columns: documented, assumed and open. Documented means it appears in a regulation, a quote or an invoice. An assumption is an estimate that you justify. Open means anything you have not yet clarified. This shows at a glance where you still need information.
For printing and binding, get at least two quotes before you order. For publication, compare the publisher fees with the conditions of your university. Note the date of every quote, because prices change.
What happens if the doctorate takes longer than planned?
Every extra month shifts costs, for example for literature, software or supervision time. Check your doctoral regulations for the applicable deadlines. In Tübingen, for example, acceptance is initially valid for three years, and an extension has to be considered in good time. Clarify this early with the doctoral office.
What to do next
- Find the fee schedule and the doctoral regulations of your university and note all amounts with their date.
- Ask the doctoral office about printed copies, format and number.
- Clarify whether your university has a publication fund before you choose a journal.
- Set up a budget, mark each figure as documented or as an assumption, and update it before submission.
- Plan your time in the work plan, not only your money.
Related guides
- PhD in Germany: routes, titles and requirements
- PhD Funding: Position, Scholarship or Own Savings
- Health Insurance During a PhD in Germany
- Doctoral Title Abbreviations: From Dr. rer. nat. to Dr. h. c. Explained
Sources:
- Doctoral regulations of the Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig, 23 Aug 2016 (PDF, in German)
- University of Marburg, Faculty of Medicine, page “Fragen über Fragen?” (no date on the page, in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
