A doctorate (Promotion) in Germany usually requires a master’s degree, a Diplom, a Magister or a state examination (Staatsexamen), and usually takes several years. In 2025, about 28,800 people completed their doctorate, and about 216,200 doctoral candidates were registered at German universities. Which doctoral degree you finally hold is set by the doctoral regulations (Promotionsordnung) of the faculty. Whether a PhD obtained abroad, or a DBA, may be used in Germany as “Dr.” is governed by a resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK). For the DBA, it remains a question for each individual case.
Key facts
- Requirement: usually a master’s degree, Diplom, Magister or state examination, plus the agreement of a professor entitled to supervise doctorates and acceptance by the doctoral committee (Promotionsausschuss).
- Duration: several years, depending on the subject and the model. Structured programmes usually plan a fixed period.
- Funding: for about half of the doctoral candidates, a position is the main source of funding, usually at the university under the collective agreement TV-L (pay group E13). Federal doctoral scholarships pay a monthly basic scholarship, and the foundation concerned states the current amount. Part-time models are also available.
- Title: the doctoral degree depends on the faculty and subject, for example Dr. phil., Dr. rer. nat., Dr.-Ing. or Dr. med. You may use a PhD from certain countries as “Dr.”, but never both forms at the same time.
- Figures: in 2025, about 28,800 doctorates were completed, which is around 5% of all university degrees.
How can you do a doctorate in Germany? The routes at a glance
You either do your doctorate individually with a supervisor, or within a structured programme. There are also the cooperative doctorate for graduates of universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) and part-time models alongside a job.
- Individual doctorate: you find a supervisor entitled to supervise doctorates, agree on a topic and work largely independently, often in a university position.
- Structured doctorate: you do your doctorate in a graduate college (Graduiertenkolleg) or a programme with a fixed framework and supervision.
- Cooperative doctorate: you hold a master’s degree from a university of applied sciences and do your doctorate jointly with a university that has the right to award doctorates.
- External or part-time doctorate: you work in a job and write your dissertation alongside it, for example as an industry doctorate (Industriepromotion).
The overview shows what to expect regarding funding, duration and contract:
| Route | Funding | Duration | Typical contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual, at a chair | Usually a university position under TV-L (pay group E13), or a scholarship | Several years, depending on the subject | Fixed-term employment contract |
| Structured (graduate college or programme) | Position or scholarship, depending on the programme | Usually a fixed planned period | Employment contract or scholarship |
| External or part-time | Own income, for example from the job | Depends on the model | Existing employment contract |
| Cooperative with a university of applied sciences | Depends on the project | Depends on the programme | Depends on the position |
Which route suits you depends on your subject and your goal. The university position is the most common route. Those who are already working check the external option. Where the table says “depends”, clarify funding, duration and contract with the university or the programme management before you accept.
What requirements apply to a doctorate?
You usually need a master’s degree, a Diplom, a Magister or a state examination. Advertised doctoral positions usually name exactly this. In addition, the doctoral regulations of your faculty and the commitment of a supervisor decide.
- Degree: master’s degree, Diplom, Magister or state examination. Without a master’s degree, the route is usually only open through an aptitude assessment (Eignungsprüfung) or a preparatory course of study.
- Grade: many subjects require a minimum grade, and the doctoral regulations of your faculty state which one.
- Supervision: a university lecturer entitled to supervise doctorates agrees, and the doctoral committee accepts you as a doctoral candidate.
The minimum grade differs from subject to subject. Therefore read the doctoral regulations of the faculty before you approach a potential supervisor.
Can you do a doctorate with a master’s degree from a university of applied sciences?
Yes, usually through a university. The right to award doctorates lies with the universities, so graduates of universities of applied sciences with a master’s degree generally do their doctorate cooperatively. Some federal states have separate routes for graduates of universities of applied sciences, for example Hesse, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg and Brandenburg. They differ by state and subject, so ask the university concerned. If you are still considering which type of higher education institution fits your plans, the comparison University of applied sciences or university (in German) shows the main differences. The state rules differ, so check them with the university concerned.
Which doctoral titles are there?
The doctoral degrees at German universities include Dr. phil., Dr. rer. pol., Dr. jur., Dr. rer. nat., Dr.-Ing., Dr. agr., Dr. med., Dr. med. dent. and Dr. theol. The faculty awards the degree according to the subject, and each university sets out in its doctoral regulations which degrees are possible.
| Title | Field | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. phil. | Humanities, educational and social sciences | History, psychology |
| Dr. rer. pol. | Economics, social and political science | Political science, public administration |
| Dr. jur. | Law | Legal studies |
| Dr. rer. nat. | Mathematics and natural sciences | Mathematics, physics |
| Dr.-Ing. | Engineering | Mechanical engineering, architecture |
| Dr. agr. | Agricultural and nutritional sciences | Agricultural sciences |
| Dr. med. | Medicine | Human medicine |
| Dr. med. dent. | Medicine | Dentistry |
| Dr. theol. | Theology | Faculty of Theology, for example in Rostock |
The assignment follows the information from the universities of Kassel (Dr. phil. to Dr. agr.), Bonn (Dr. med. and Dr. med. dent.) and Rostock (Dr. theol.). Other universities assign subjects differently in part, and some subjects allow two different degrees. For example, Protestant and Catholic theology in Kassel lead to a Dr. phil., while the Faculty of Theology in Rostock awards a Dr. theol.
In addition there are honorary titles such as Dr. h.c., which are awarded honorarily.
How many people in Germany hold a doctorate?
Doctorates are a small share of all university degrees. The Federal Statistical Office reports the educational attainment of the population regularly.
Every year, new doctors are added: about 28,800 people completed their doctorate in 2025.
| Examination year | Doctorates completed |
|---|---|
| 2025 | about 28,800 (plus 2.4% compared with 2024) |
According to the Federal Statistical Office, doctorates make up around 5% of the roughly 527,600 university degrees awarded in 2025.
How many people are doing a doctorate at the moment?
In 2025 there were about 216,200 doctoral candidates at German universities, 1.8% more than in 2024 (about 212,400). About 35,800 people began a doctorate in 2025, which is 17% of all doctoral candidates. The press release of the Federal Statistical Office shows the picture in more detail:
| Characteristic | Value in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Share of women | 49% (about 106,400) |
| Average age | 30.5 years (men 30.9, women 30.1) |
| Foreign nationality | 25% (about 54,200) |
| Largest subject group | Human medicine and health sciences, 30% (about 64,100) |
| Other large groups | Mathematics and natural sciences 22%, engineering 19% |
| Most doctoral candidates per university | LMU Munich about 10,200, TU Munich about 10,100, Heidelberg about 9,600, RWTH Aachen about 8,000 |
These statistics have been collected since 2017; data before 2020 are not comparable.
PhD vs. Dr.: What is the difference?
PhD or Dr.: both are doctoral degrees, but they differ in origin and in how they may be used. A German doctoral degree carries a subject addition such as phil. or rer. nat. and comes from a faculty with doctoral regulations. The PhD (Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy) is awarded mainly by universities abroad. Whether you may use it in Germany as “Dr.” depends on the country and the awarding university. The basis is the resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) in the version of 20 November 2025.
| Feature | Dr. (German doctoral degree) | PhD (Ph.D.) |
|---|---|---|
| Who awards it? | The faculty, according to subject and doctoral regulations | Mainly universities abroad |
| Form of the title | With a subject addition, for example Dr. phil., Dr. rer. nat. or Dr.-Ing. | Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated Ph.D. |
| Use in Germany | In the form awarded | Depending on the country of origin, as “Dr.” without a subject addition, or in the original form with a reference to the country of origin |
The basic rule: foreign academic degrees may be used in the form awarded, with a reference to the country of origin. The awarding institution must be properly recognised as a university. For some countries of origin there are relaxations:
| Country of origin of the degree | How you may use it |
|---|---|
| Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, United Kingdom, USA (listed doctorate degrees) | As “Dr.” or with the national abbreviation, for example Ph.D., in each case without a subject addition and without a reference to the country of origin. For US degrees, the university must be classified by the Carnegie Classification as Research 1, Research 2 or Research Colleges and Universities. |
| EU and EEA states | Degrees from a scientific doctoral procedure may alternatively be used as “Dr.” without a subject addition and without a reference to the country of origin. Professional doctorates without a doctoral study and procedure are excluded. |
| Russia | Listed candidate degrees as “Dr.” without a subject addition, but with a reference to the country of origin. |
| Other countries | Basic rule: original form with a reference to the country of origin. |
Important: you always use only one of the two forms, never “Dr.” and the original designation at the same time. Which degrees are on the list in detail must be checked in each case. Contact the responsible office before you put the title on your business card or ID.
What is a DBA, and may you use it as “Dr.”?
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is usually aimed at experienced managers who want to deepen their specialist knowledge scientifically. Whether you may use it in Germany as “Dr.” cannot be answered across the board.
The KMK resolution does not mention the DBA. Professional doctorates are excluded from the relaxation for EU and EEA degrees. Whether a DBA may be used as “Dr.” depends on the individual case: country, university and classification. Statements by providers do not replace an official answer. Check the degree before enrolment with the database anabin and with the responsible office.
How long does a doctorate take?
The duration varies widely with the subject and the model. Structured doctorates usually follow a fixed planned period.
Depending on the subject, the values differ widely. Fixed-term posts under the Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz) allow at most six years before the doctorate. Plan the term of your post and the duration of your project together.
How do you fund a doctorate?
Most often through a position. For about half of the doctoral candidates it is the main source of funding. In addition there are scholarships and the external doctorate alongside a job.
Doing a doctorate in a position
Most positions are at the university and are paid according to TV-L (pay group E13), combined with teaching and project duties. As an employee you are socially insured. In statutory health insurance you pay contributions, which you share with your employer.
Doing a doctorate with a scholarship
A scholarship is often tax-free and runs without social insurance, usually for three years. An important source is the group of 13 scholarship foundations (Begabtenförderungswerke). For the federal doctoral scholarships, the foundation concerned states the amount of the basic scholarship. Further benefits such as the research cost allowance or the family supplement come on top; the amount is stated by the foundation concerned.
Further programmes can be found in databases such as the Stipendienlotse of the Federal Ministry of Research or on stiftungssuche.de. Scholarships for students explains the types and providers, and the article on applying for a scholarship (in German) describes the selection process. Application deadlines and amounts differ by funder, so check them directly with the funder.
How are you insured during a doctorate?
That depends on the route. With a position subject to social insurance contributions, you are liable for contributions to statutory health insurance. With a scholarship and a completed first degree, you are not compulsorily insured without employment; you remain in voluntary statutory or private health insurance. If you begin a doctorate before completing your first degree, you stay in student insurance. Clarify this with your health insurance fund before the scholarship starts. All models with contributions and deadlines are in Health Insurance for PhD Students in Germany.
Frequently asked questions
Which doctoral titles are there?
The doctoral degrees include Dr. phil., Dr. rer. pol., Dr. jur., Dr. rer. nat., Dr.-Ing., Dr. agr., Dr. med., Dr. med. dent. and Dr. theol., depending on subject and university. Which degrees a university awards is set out in its doctoral regulations, and some subjects allow two different degrees. In addition there are honorary titles such as Dr. h.c., which are awarded honorarily.
How many doctors are there in Germany?
About 28,800 doctorates were completed in 2025. Around 216,200 people are currently doing a doctorate. The share of doctorates among all university degrees is about 5%.
May I use a foreign PhD as “Dr.”?
For listed degrees from Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom and the USA, yes, without a subject addition and without a reference to the country of origin. Degrees from a scientific doctoral procedure in EU and EEA states may alternatively also be used as “Dr.”. For most other countries, the basic rule with a reference to the country of origin applies. You use only one of the two forms, either “Dr.” or Ph.D.
Can I do a doctorate without a master’s degree?
Without a master’s degree, the route is usually only open through an aptitude assessment or a preparatory course of study. Most doctoral positions require a master’s degree, a Diplom, a Magister or a state examination. What counts is the doctoral regulations of the faculty and acceptance by the doctoral committee.
Can I do a doctorate alongside a job?
Yes, the external or part-time doctorate is possible, for example as an industry doctorate. You still need a supervisor entitled to supervise doctorates and admission by the faculty. Plan the duration generously, because alongside a job there is less time for the project.
Your next steps
- Clarify your goal: do you want to stay in research, move into industry, or deepen your professional expertise? The route depends on this.
- Read the doctoral regulations of the faculty responsible for your subject, and check the degree, the minimum grade and the doctoral title it awards.
- Approach a supervisor entitled to supervise doctorates, and look at job advertisements, doctoral programmes and scholarship databases.
- Clarify funding, contract and health insurance before you accept.
- If you hold a foreign degree or plan a DBA, have the use of the title checked by the responsible office.
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- German original (in German)
Information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative. Last reviewed: 21 October 2026.
