Earning a Doctorate from the Berlin University Alliance
Pursuing a PhD at one of the four institutions of the Berlin University Alliance offers an excellent opportunity to conduct research at internationally renowned institutions in one of Europe’s most vibrant academic environments. These universities attract doctoral researchers from around the world with their strong research infrastructure, interdisciplinary collaborations and broad range of academic disciplines.
A Doctorate in Berlin
Image Credit: Berlin University Alliance
A Doctorate at BUA
There are two main pathways to obtaining a doctorate from FU, HU, TU or Charité Berlin:- Structured Program: These programs follow an organized format. They include a set curriculum with seminars and workshops and supervision by a team of researchers.
- Individual Doctoral Studies: This track consists of independent doctoral research under the supervision of a single professor. This model offers a high level of flexibility and is well-suited for students working on specialized or self-defined research project.
Funding your PhD at the Berlin University Alliance
There are three main pathways for securing funding for doctoral studies in Berlin:- Paid Doctoral Positions: Many university faculties or research institutes offer paid research positions that are tied to larger research projects and may involve teaching duties. In these cases, you will work part-time (50-65%) for your faculty of institute and devote the remaining time to your individual dissertation.
- Scholarships: You can apply to external scholarships to support individual research projects under the supervision of university faculty.
- Industry-Based Doctorates: It is also possible to pursue a PhD while working in a company or private research institution. In this case, you carry out your research alongside your professional duties.
Requirements & Application Procedures
To apply for a PhD in Berlin, you generally need a master’s degree or equivalent in a related field. Each university faculty sets its own specific doctoral regulations.Application steps:
- Contact the faculty where you want to pursue your PhD
- Submit a PhD research proposal, if required
- Find a supervisor or receive confirmation of admission from the faculty
- Enroll at the university with your admission letter or supervisor confirmation
Note: If you have an international degree, the faculty will generally assess whether it meets the minimum admission requirements.
Browse PhD Opportunities of the Berlin University Alliance
- PhD Studies at HU Berlin
- Graduate Schools and Doctoral Programs at FU Berlin
- A Doctorate at TU Berlin
- Doctoral Pathways at Charité Berlin
BUA Job Portal
Check here for paid doctoral positions at FU, HU, TU or Charité Berlin.External Funding Opportunities
DAAD Doctoral Program Scholarship
The Elsa Neumann Scholarship provides funding for doctoral researchers at Berlin universities:- Elsa Neumann at FU Berlin
- Elsa Neumann at HU Berlin
- Elsa Neumann at TU Berlin
- Elsa Neumann at Charité Berlin via FU or HU
BUA Program for Graduate Researchers
The partner institutions of Berlin University Alliance have teamed up to organize their Graduate Studies Support Program, a broad portfolio of workshops, retreats, conferences and other events. The program is open to doctoral researchers from all subjects, as long as they are affiliated to Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, or Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. It is free of charge.