Doing a PhD (Promotion) alongside a job means writing your dissertation while you are employed and without a university PhD post. Three questions come up almost every time: how much time you need, what it costs and how your employer fits in.
Short answer: A part-time PhD (berufsbegleitend) means you do not hold a PhD post at the university. The doctoral regulations of your faculty set the requirements, and fees differ by university. You can ask for part-time work under § 8 TzBfG (German text) if you have worked for the employer for more than six months and it generally has more than 15 employees. As of October 2026.
Key points
- The doctoral regulations of your university set admission, supervision and requirements. There is no fixed length for everyone.
- Costs arise for fees, printing, literature and travel. Fees differ by university and are listed in the doctoral regulations.
- You have a right to reduced working hours under § 8 of the German Part-Time and Fixed-Term Employment Act (TzBfG). The request must be made in writing three months in advance.
- Time off for your PhD is mainly governed by your employment contract. Educational leave under state law is limited in use.
- If you are employed for pay, you are subject to statutory health insurance (§ 5 para. 1 no. 1 SGB V, German text).
How much time do you need next to your job?
A PhD is not a timetable but a project that combines research, writing and supervision. How much time you need depends on your subject, your data and your supervision. Plan with weekly hours and a realistic target date, not with a number of years someone gives you.
Annahme: Ten hours per week over four years add up to about 2,080 hours (52 weeks per year). The table shows three scenarios.
| Hours per week | Period | Total hours (assumption) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 hours | 4 years | about 1,040 hours |
| 10 hours | 4 years | about 2,080 hours |
| 15 hours | 4 years | about 3,120 hours |
The table is a calculation, not a forecast. How much time a project needs often only becomes clear in the data phase. Agree fixed milestones with your supervisor so the hours stay manageable.
What does a part-time PhD cost?
Costs are not uniform. The fees that apply are set out in the doctoral regulations and fee schedule of your university. We do not list amounts here, because they differ by university and faculty. Go through these items in advance.
- Admission and doctoral fees charged by the university.
- Printing, binding and mandatory copies of the dissertation.
- Literature, databases and software for analysis.
- Travel to conferences, archives or laboratories.
- Lost earnings if you take unpaid time off for appointments.
What does your employer have to agree to?
There is no general statutory right to time off for a PhD. State laws on educational leave recognise certain further training, but recognition varies by state. What applies to you is set out in your employment contract, a works agreement or your state law.
The right to reduced hours is different. Under § 8 TzBfG (German text), you can ask for a reduction of your working time if you have been employed for more than six months and the employer generally has more than 15 employees. The reduction and its scope must be requested in writing at least three months before it starts.
How does health insurance work?
If you are employed for pay, you are compulsorily insured under § 5 SGB V (German text). Student health insurance does not apply in this case, because it is subordinate (§ 5 para. 7 SGB V). Without employment, other rules apply, which are explained in our guide Health Insurance for PhD Students in Germany.
Which documents do you need for admission?
The exact list is set out in the doctoral regulations of your faculty. The following items are common, although they can differ by university. Plan early, because certificates and confirmations can take weeks.
- Proof of your university degree and final transcripts.
- A curriculum vitae, usually including your professional experience.
- An outline or project description of the dissertation.
- A supervision confirmation from a professor in the faculty.
How do you raise the plan with your employer?
Raise the topic early, before you apply to the university. A conversation with a time frame, weekly hours and a proposal for dates shows that you keep the work in view. Many employers respond more calmly when the plan already exists.
Record the agreement afterwards in writing, ideally by email with date and content. This applies to time off as well as to a change in working hours, because it documents the arrangement if questions arise later.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a supervision agreement?
Many faculties require a supervision agreement or an outline before admission. The requirements are set out in the doctoral regulations. Clarify early whether your admission depends on a fixed supervisor, because it determines how you plan your dates.
Can I stop the PhD if my job changes?
Yes, a PhD is not an employment contract. Stopping does have consequences for admission and fees under the rules of your university. How long admission is valid and what happens if you stop is set out in the doctoral regulations.
Must I tell my employer that I am doing a PhD?
As a rule there is no general duty to disclose it. If you need time off, part-time work or flexible hours for appointments, you have to name the reason. It is sensible to state it openly so that your employer can follow the plan.
How do I plan dates such as the defence?
Holiday and time off are primarily governed by your employment contract. Agree dates such as the defence with your employer early. A written agreement avoids disputes when the date comes closer.
What if my employer refuses a request for part-time work?
Then it has to be checked in the individual case whether the conditions of § 8 TzBfG are met. The refusal must be justified and is a question of employment law. Ask for the reasons in writing and, if needed, seek advice from an employment law adviser.
Is there funding for a part-time PhD?
Funding foundations usually support full-time PhDs. Whether a scholarship can be combined with employment is decided by the funder under its guidelines. You can find an overview of the routes in our guide Scholarships for students: Types, providers, requirements.
Next steps
- Read the doctoral regulations and the fee schedule of your university.
- Set your weekly hours with a target date and a supervision agreement.
- Agree time off, dates and working hours with your employer in writing.
- Submit a request for part-time work in writing at least three months in advance.
- Confirm your health insurance with your employer and your insurer.
Related reading
- PhD in Germany: routes, titles and requirements
- Health Insurance for PhD Students in Germany
- Scholarships for students: Types, providers, requirements
- Master berufsbegleitend: Steuern, Kosten und Versicherung (in German)
Sources: § 8 TzBfG, § 5 SGB V (both in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. For your personal situation you can get advice from Academycon: How we work.
