Graduate Center

You can either pursue a doctorate at one of the six subject-specific doctoral research centers at the OTH Regensburg or you can choose a cooperative doctorate with a comprehensive university. Both types have different funding options:

• Working as a research associate – for instance as part of one of our many third-party funded research projects
• External funding – e.g. scholarships or working outside of academia

10 steps to a doctorate

1. Define the research field and narrow down possible research topics.
2. Choose from one of the two types of doctorates. You can pick a doctoral research center if your research project fits the profile of one of the centers. If that is not the case, you can pursue a cooperative doctorate.
3. Identify a suitable supervisor at the OTH Regensburg/at one the doctoral research centers (For cooperative doctorates, you also need to find a supervisor at a comprehensive university. Your OTH supervisor will support you in your search.): preliminary talks and agreement on the supervision
4. Check and secure funding options.
5. Apply for admission as a doctoral student at a doctoral research center or (for cooperative doctorates) at a comprehensive university
6. Research and the professional community: publications, posters, conferences, networking
7. Write, submit and have your dissertation assessed
8. Oral examination (disputation/defence)
9. Publish your dissertation and submit deposit copies
10. Award of the doctoral certificate

Thanks to its outstanding research, especially in the STEM disciplines, OTH Regensburg has been awarded the title of Technical University of Applied Sciences. Many of our professors are involved in applied research and development, initiate third-party funded projects and offer young researchers the opportunity to pursue a doctorate.

It is possible to complete your doctorate degree at each of our eight faculties. Research at the OTH Regensburg is structured around research areas: Sustainable living spaces, health and social sciences, digital transformation, and materials and production.

The research activities of our university are focused in numerous laboratories and projects. These include the Research Centers, in which research projects from the fields of Artificial Intelligence (RCAI), Biomedical Engineering (RCBE), Energy and Resources (RCER), and Health Sciences and Technology (RCHST) are pooled across all faculties. Dissertation projects often emerge from research-oriented laboratories, research groups and research clusters, where many projects are acquired and positions for research associates are frequently advertised.

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Typically, the prerequisites for a doctorate include an above-average degree in the form of a Master's examination at a university of applied sciences (UAS), a diploma or Master's examination at a university, an equivalent state examination or an equivalent degree from a university outside of Germany. The exact conditions vary from case to case and are specified in the respective doctoral regulations.

For a doctorate at the OTH Regensburg, the requirements depend on the type of doctorate:

1. If you pursue a doctorate at one of the doctoral research centers, the admission requirements are specified in the framework doctoral regulations (shared by all six centers) in combination with the subject-specific doctoral regulations (unique to each center). Find out more on the website of each doctoral research center(in German).
2. If you choose a cooperative doctorate, the admission requirements are specified in the doctoral regulations of the cooperating comprehensive university. Admission requirements and doctoral regulations of individual universities have been compiled by the German Rectors' Conference (Hochschulrektorenkonferenz) in its Higher Education Compass (Hochschulkompass).

A doctorate offers many opportunities: It allows you to carry out extensive research, to address social and economic challenges, or to drive forward highly relevant application-oriented developments. It is also an important milestone for an academic career, generally increases your competitiveness on the labour market and opens the way to a higher salary level in most professions.

However, a doctorate also requires commitment, a high degree of motivation and financial resources. Consider individually what motivates you to pursue a doctorate and whether it is a good fit for you. Make a conscious decision and take into account your academic achievements, your career prospects and your personal situation.

General personal and academic requirements include excellent academic performance, exceptional motivation, a high level of perseverance - and, above all, enthusiasm for your subject area and enjoyment of academic work.

Let us advise you

There are a number of different ways to fund your doctoral phase. The most common are:

• Employment at a university of applied sciences (UAS), a comprehensive university or non-academic research institution, e.g. through research work in a third-party funded project - please speak to your supervisor and check our job postings regularly
• Employment in the private sector, possibly as an "industrial doctorate" (in cooperation with a private enterprise)
• Public funds and scholarships
• Private funding

Determine which funding model suits your professional and private goals as well as your personal situation. We will be happy to advise you.

Current job advertisementsDoctoral scholarships from the Begabtenförderungswerke (German institution for the Promotion of Gifted Students) - in GermanDoctoral scholarships from LaKoF Bayern for female UAS graduates and women with professional experience - in German Counselling

OTH Regensburg is a research-intensive university of applied sciences with a broad research spectrum. Our research is application-oriented and practical. We contribute to finding solutions for regional economic issues and work on global problems in international cooperations. In funded projects and interdisciplinary partnerships, we research future-oriented technical fields, promote the academisation of the health sciences and develop innovative solutions for the technological, economic and social challenges that we face today.

As a doctoral student at the OTH Regensburg, you will benefit from an excellent research infrastructure: from well-equipped laboratories to the extensive resources of the library, the university offers optimal conditions for research, trials and experiments. The Center for Research and Transfer (ZFT) provides assistance with all matters relating to research projects, applications and transfer. Thanks to our strong networking with local and regional companies, project ideas and possible solutions can be tested and implemented in cooperation with the business community.

At the Graduate Center, we offer assistance to early career researchers through counselling, training and networking opportunities. The training programme for doctoral students is complemented by networking and informational events. In addition, our monthly newsletter keeps you informed about current funding and job opportunities, workshops and relevant news on research and university policies.

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We are happy to support and advise you on all topics relating to your doctorate and academic career at OTH Regensburg.

Please contact us