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Doctorates

In tandem with growing research activities at UAS7 member universities, the number of doctoral students conducting research at a university of applied sciences increases continuously across all disciplines. Most of these research projects are third party funded R&D or transfer projects, creating and shaping specifically opportunities and structures for cooperative doctoral programs.

The German higher education landscape is rapidly changing. At present, most UAS7 institutions - like all university of applied sciences in Germany - undergo state-level reviews to determine future regulatory frameworks for applied research and UAS doctorates. As of May 2023, the following PhD-granting rights are allocated at UAS7 universities:

TH Köln and FH Münster, both in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), enjoy the independent right to award doctorates via the „Doctoral college NRW," a state-level institution founded in 2020. Students may receive doctorates in the following areas: Construction and Culture, Computer Science and Data Science, Life Sciences and Health Technologies, Media and Interaction, Resources and Sustainability, Social and Health, IT Technology and Systems, and in Business and Economics. HS München, located in the State of Bavaria, has the right to award doctorates in selected areas, and is subject to a review process confirming their research strengths and undergraduate curricular research training. Berlin School of Economics and Law is undergoing similar state-level review processes to decide upon the future regulatory framework concerning doctorates for the state of Berlin. HS Bremen, HS Osnabrück and HAW Hamburg are awaiting the approval of proposed doctorate stipulations in their respective higher education laws as well.

UAS7 universities continue to grant doctoral degrees in cooperation with research universities. UAS7 has published a position paper on cooperative doctoral studies at universities of applied sciences, which  defines cooperative quality standards for all UAS7 universities. 

Current PhD projects at UAS7 universities

830
PhD Projects
520
of which in cooperation with German universities
310
of which in cooperation with foreign universities

Currently, about 830 students are completing a PhD at our universities (as of 2023). This means that the number of PhD projects has almost tripled in the past ten years. In order to conduct these cooperative doctorates, the UAS7 work together with national and international universities.

More and more students decide to complete their doctorate at a university of applied sciences. UAS7 universities thus ensure access to all levels of secondary education: from Bachelor's to Master's degrees and doctorates. By supporting young researchers, they open up diverse career paths within and outside academia.

Studentin sitzt vor einem Stapel Bücher und einem Computerbildschirm

 

How to apply for a PhD with UAS7?

First of all, you should gather some general information about obtaining a doctorate in Germany. The "Research in Germany" portal is an excellent information platform that has collected all relevant information for (prospective) doctorate candidates. REsearch in Germany

If you are interested in completing your doctorate with a UAS7 university, you will find further information on the respective university's website. 

 

Doctoral Studies at UAS7 Universities