PhD in Germany for Indian Students in 2025: Fees, Eligibility & Scholarships

Veda Burman Study Abroad Content Specialist

Study Abroad Content Specialist

PhD in Germany offers a robust combination of academic excellence, affordability, and research opportunities. World-renowned PhD universities in Germany like the Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and Humboldt University of Berlin, which are consistently ranked among the top institutions globally. Most public universities in Germany provide tuition-free PhD programs for international students, requiring only a nominal semester fee between 72 and 404 EUR (6,378 to 35,783 INR).

PhD programs in Germany span across diverse disciplines, including sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences, ensuring opportunities for students from varied academic backgrounds. The program has a duration between 3 to 5 years, depending on the field and scope of research. Additionally, students benefit from Germany's thriving academic ecosystem, generous funding opportunities, and potential to work part-time during their studies. After completing a PhD degree in Germany, graduates annually earn an average salary of 69,000 EUR (61.11 lakhs INR).

Also Check: Average Salary in Germany

Table of Contents

Best Universities in Germany for PhD
Why Study PhD in Germany?
PhD in Germany Admissions
3.1 PhD in Germany Eligibility Criteria
PhD in Germany Scholarships
PhD in Germany Salary
FAQs

Best Universities in Germany for PhD

Most of the PhD granting public universities in Germany charge no tuition fee from students. Instead, students are asked to pay a minimal semester fee. Some top PhD universities in Germany and their corresponding details are as follows:

QS World University Rankings 2025	University	Program/ Faculty	Semester Fees (EUR)
#28	Technical University of Munich	Econometrics \| Strategic Management \| Innovative Technologies in Management Research	72 in Straubing \| 85 in Heilbronn, Munich, Garching and Weihenstephan
#59	Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich	Humanities and Cultural Studies \| Social Sciences and Economics \| Natural Sciences and Medicine	85
#=126	Humboldt University of Berlin	Individual Doctorate \| Structured PhD Programs	321,90
#=227	University of Bonn	Microeconomic Theory \| Management and Applied Microeconomic \| Financial Economics \| Macroeconomics and Public Economics \| Econometrics and Statistics	312,67-313,16
#97	Freie University of Berlin	Humanities & Social Sciences \| Natural & Life Sciences \| Computational Neuroscience Berlin	304,40
#99	RWTH Aachen University	Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences \| Medicine \| Architecture \| Mechanical Engineering \| Electrical Engineering and Information Technology \| Arts and Humanities \| Business and Economics	304.47
#=252	University of Goettingen	Göttingen Graduate Center for Neurosciences, Biophysics and Molecular Biosciences (GGNB)	403.92
#212	University of Freiburg	Humanities and Social Sciences \| Natural Sciences \| Life Sciences \| Engineering \| Marie Curie Programs \| Cooperative Doctoral Research Groups	190

Why Study PhD in Germany?

Germany is home to some of the world's top-ranked universities and research institutions. A PhD from Germany is globally recognized and enhances your chances of employment across the world. Following are some of the key benefits of studying PhD in Germany:

Tuition Free Study: In Germany, most PhD programs are tuition-free for at least the first 6 semesters, as they are funded by the German government.
Minimal Semester Fee: Students are only required to pay a nominal semester fee ranging from 72 to 404 EUR (6,378 to 35,783 INR).
Strong Research Focus: Germany invests heavily in research and development, especially in technical fields, offering state-of-the-art facilities and funding opportunities.
Funding Opportunities: Unlike top countries like the USA, scholarship opportunities at doctoral level are quite high in Germany. This relieves students from high tuition and living expenses in Germany.
Work While Studying: In Germany, international students from outside the EU can work up to 140 full-days or 280 half-days per year.

Also Check: Part Time Jobs in Germany for International Students

PhD in Germany Admissions

The admission requirements for doctorate in Germany vary based on the chosen university and subject. The common requirement for PhD in Germany eligibility criteria for international students are listed below:

Diploma, Magister, or Master’s degree with above-average aggregate from a recognized university
At least 2.5 GPA in German grading system or B+ overall grade
Proof of English proficiency:
- IELTS: 7.0 (with 6.5 in each band)
- TOEFL iBT: 80 - 100
German language proficiency proof: TestDaf: Level 4
GRE: 160 overall score or above
Germany student visa

PhD in Germany Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for admission to the PhD programs in various German universities are as follows:

University	Eligibility Criteria	Language Proficiency Requirement	Additional Requirements
Technical University of Munich	Diploma, Magister or Master’s degree with above-average aggregate or at least 2.5 GPA (80%) from a recognized university	Not required for doctoral	CV \| Transcripts
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich	MSc in a relevant stream from a recognized university \| Exceptional candidates with BSc Hons. degree with a written thesis	Certificate (Not specified) of English proficiency (recommended for non-native English speakers or if prior education was not conducted in English)	2 Letters of recommendation \| 1 Letter of motivation \|CV
Humboldt University of Berlin	Diploma, Magister or Master’s degree with at least 2.3 GPA (78%) from a recognized university	IELTS: 5.5 \| TOEFL iBT: 72	CV \| Copy of identity card
Bonn Graduate School of Economics	Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics or a related field	IELTS: 7.0 (with 6.5 in each band) \| TOEFL iBT: 100 (with 23 in each band)	2 Letters of recommendation \| Letter of motivation \| CV \| GRE: at least 160
Freie University of Berlin	Diploma, Magister, or Master’s degree from a recognized university	NA	Copy of identity card \| Copy of University entrance qualification \| Copy of control view
RWTH Aachen University	Diploma, Magister or Master’s degree from a recognized university	NA	Resume
University of Goettingen	University degree with at least 2.5 GPA (80%) on German grading scale	TestDaf: Level 4 \| IELTS: 7.0 (with 6.5 in each band) \| TOEFL iBT: 80 (with 23 in each band)	CV \| Transcripts
University of Freiburg	Master’s degree from a recognized university	IELTS: 4.0-5.0 \| TOEFL iBT: 42-71 \| PTE: 43-58	CV \| Transcripts

PhD in Germany Scholarships

Although the doctoral programs in Germany are fully funded, candidates are still required to make the ends meet and bear the living costs. Therefore, such candidates may look forward to the following scholarships in Germany:

Scholarships/Assistantships	Eligibility Criteria	Award Amount
TUM GS	Research and teaching associates in TUM	1,600 EUR + additional 1,400 EUR (for research stays abroad of at least 4 weeks)
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)	Course and home country-specific	1,200 EUR per month for 3 years (2+1)
Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship	Candidates pursuing a master’s or doctoral program with academic excellence	Variable
Heinrich Boll Scholarship	International graduate and doctorate students studying in Germany with proficiency in German	1,200 EUR per month, plus 100 EUR for mobility

PhD in Germany Salary

Students with PhD in Germany secure an average salary of 69,000 EUR (61.11 lakhs INR) per annum. The average salary range of doctoral candidates pursuing jobs in Germany according to their degree are as follows:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): 45,000 to 94,000 EUR (39.85 to 83.25 lakhs INR)
Doctor of Science (DS): 42,000 to 102,000 EUR (37.19 to 90.34 lakhs INR)

PhD in Germany is pursued by international students for a combination of benefits. The top public universities in Germany offer tuition-free education, removing the financial burden from students. You can get research opportunities from industry experts in Germany. After completing education, you can get employed as a research associate for Postdoc positions in German higher education institutions.

FAQs

Ques: Are there any English-taught PhD programs available in Germany for Indian students?

Ans. Yes, many German universities offer English-taught PhD programs, especially in research-intensive fields like engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences. Proficiency in English, proven through exams like IELTS or TOEFL, is usually required for admission.

Ques: What are the language requirements for pursuing a PhD in Germany?

Ans. While many PhD programs are offered in English, proficiency in German may be required for programs involving extensive interaction with local communities or certain humanities disciplines. Check with your chosen university for specific requirements.

Ques: Can I apply for a PhD in Germany with a three-year bachelor's degree?

Ans. No. Generally, the German universities require a master's degree or a four-year bachelor's degree for PhD admissions. However, in rare cases some institutions might accept exceptional candidates with a three-year bachelor's degree, provided they have substantial research experience.

Ques: Is it possible to work while pursuing a PhD in Germany?

Ans. Yes, PhD students in Germany can work part-time, up to 20 hours per week during the semester or full-time during semester breaks. Many PhD candidates also secure paid research assistant positions.

Ques: What is the typical timeline for completing a PhD in Germany?

Ans. PhD programs in Germany typically take 3-5 years to complete, depending on the research scope and discipline. Extensions may be granted if required for the research project.

Ques: Are there options for postdoctoral research in Germany after completing a PhD?

Ans. Yes, Germany offers numerous postdoctoral opportunities through research institutions like Max Planck Institutes, Helmholtz Centers, and universities. These roles often provide competitive salaries and funding for advanced research projects.

Ques: Can international students bring their families while pursuing a PhD in Germany?

Ans. Yes, PhD students can apply for family reunification visas to bring their spouses and children to Germany. Proof of sufficient funds and health insurance is necessary for the application.