Study and research in Germany

Testimonials

• Dr. Reinhold E. Schmidt, MD, “Molecular Medicine"
• Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Konrad Ehlich, “Language Theory and Applied Linguistics”
• Dr. Hellmut Eckert, “Graduate School of Chemistry“
• Christina Wendt, “Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences”
• Katerina Kalcheva, “Munich Graduate School of Economics”
• Zhu Wei, “Environment Water (ENWAT)”

Dr. Reinhold E. Schmidt, MD, “Molecular Medicine"

The MD/PhD program "Molecular Medicine" was established in autumn 2000. Our program has in the meantime become one of the leading PhD programs in Germany due to the excellent interdisciplinary cooperation between universities and institutes within the region of Hanover and due to the support of the "Doctorates at Universities in Germany" (PHD) programme. Additionally our program forms the basis for the Hannover Biomedical Research School, founded in 2003. We have established high quality assurance standards which was instrumental in us being the first German PhD program to be accreditated in accordance with Euro-pean standards (ECTS). Besides a well-supervised research project, we offer an extensive interdisciplinary and modulated curriculum (foci: Immunology, Infection, Oncology/Differentiation, Genetics/ Cell Biology) especially designed to meet our students’ needs. They have a choice of a wide variety of obligatory seminars, guest seminars, scientific colloquia, workshops, practical courses and soft skills. We are very proud that last year 6 of 10 students and this year 12 of 17 students successfully graduated with outstanding achievements after exactly 3 years, thanks to our well-structured program.

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Konrad Ehlich, “Language Theory and Applied Linguistics”

The International PhD Programme in Linguistics "Language Theory and Applied Linguistics" (LIPP) commenced in autumn 2002, and is supported by representatives of 12 linguistic disciplines of the LMU. The programme offers a comprehensive spectrum of theoretical positions, methodological approaches and opportunities for practical applications – which participants explore through intensive interdisciplinary cooperation. The interdisciplinary structure of the programme is fostered by a transparent curriculum and intensive supervision of participants. At the same time, the programme’s synergies enhance the institutional and academic cooperation of the linguistic host disciplines/institutes.

The innovative design of the PhD programme (completion of dissertation, disputation and graduation within three years; intensive exchange and cooperation between PhD students of different linguistic disciplines) has been generating substantial and increasing interest within Germany and abroad. This is a clear indication that the programme’s initiators – the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) – have been responding to international demand.

Participants in the programme are given the opportunity to present and discuss their work in progress during colloquia, workshops and symposia, and thus obtain feedback from both their lecturers and colleagues. Progress is monitored through one obligatory report per semester and feedback from the lecturers during the colloquia.

Because of its progressive format as well as the substantial institutional support and enthusiastic response it has received, the PhD programme "Language Theory and Applied Linguistics" has rapidly evolved as a centre of reform for the entire area of linguistics within the faculty. It is also the driving force for the implementation of a Linguistic Graduate School planned to serve as the centre of a Linguistics Competence Network at the LMU.

Dr. Hellmut Eckert, “Graduate School of Chemistry“

In October 2001 the NRW Graduate School of Chemistry (GSC-MS) was established at the Department of Chemistry of the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster.

Currently, 51 doctoral students from 13 countries are enrolled in our graduate school, about two-thirds of whom are of non-German origin. To attract the best candidates to our program, we have established a very ambitious recruitment procedure, consisting of unrelenting marketing efforts and a highly competitive candidate selection process. Our marketing activities range from sending posters to well-renowned academic institutions, maintaining a continuous presence at science fairs and expositions all the way to the organization of scientific symposia. We also offer three-month research internships to interested applicants and have recently announced a new competition for an Undergraduate Research Award, based on a scientific publication originating from Undergraduate Research. Our marketing efforts have greatly benefited from the infrastructural and logistic support offered by the DAAD "Doctorates at Universities in Germany" programme (PhD), which has also enabled us to significantly expand our international collaboration. Thanks to all of these efforts we are receiving an increasingly large number of excellent applications, making the selection process a rather challenging task. Thus, in 2004 our 16 successful candidates had to be selected from a pool of 240 applicants. Our selection process comprises several steps and includes the organization of workshops during which 40-50 short-listed applicants are interviewed.

The mission of the GSC-MS is supported by a Strategic Advisory Board, consisting of distinguished individuals from science, industry and government. The Advisory board members provide guidance and advice in important strategic matters and assist our marketing efforts in a variety of ways. Also we envision that the members of the advisory board can act as a resource for establishing important professional contacts between our students and potential employers in science and industry.

Christina Wendt, “Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences”

When I graduated with "Diploma" in Social Sciences two years ago it was not a question of what to do since I had already decided to do my doctorate, but I was thinking about how? Everybody knows that the daily, mostly isolated work of many doctoral candidates in the field of arts and humanities can be very frustrating in Germany. At this time I saw an advertisement for the Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences which was interesting for me, first of all because it announced that the DAAD would sponsor research abroad – very important because I work on the Cyprus problem. Furthermore I liked the idea of coming together with a small group of international doctoral candidates at Berlin’s Humboldt University.

I must say that I am very happy to be part of the BGSS. I stayed in Cyprus for some months, collecting data for my thesis, I have an office at the Graduate School and, what is most important, there is a real corporate feeling between the doctoral students. We are a small scientific community all with the same aim: to finish the doctoral thesis successfully and quickly. And finally, I would like to mention that the administration of the BGSS and the professors are always there for us and do their best to support us.

Katerina Kalcheva, “Munich Graduate School of Economics”

I am a third-year PhD student of the Munich Graduate School of Economics at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU). My country of origin is Bulgaria and I am fortunate to be receiving a scholarship for the postgraduate college "Markets, Institutions, and the Scope of Government", financed by the German Science Foundation (DFG) which enables me to study here. It was a challenging task to continue my education in a doctoral programme abroad. Now I feel it was the right choice, taking into account the education and the opportunities it gave me.

The Munich Graduate School of Economics offers a well-organized, innovative programme with a high academic reputation. Teaching is at an excellent level. During the first and the second year I attended advanced graduate courses. In addition, I participated in numerous seminars and workshops, which deepened my knowledge of specific economic problems. I also had the opportunity to present my research at several international conferences. All this helped create a strong foundation for my research.

The Munich Graduate School of Economics is an international doctoral programme that brings together students from many countries with very different educational backgrounds. The programme creates a good multicultural social environment. My self-motivation is also strengthened by competition and cooperation between the doctoral students.

After completing the doctorate, I would like to continue doing research in macroeconomics. I would then like to return to my home country and apply my knowledge and experience there.

Zhu Wei, “Environment Water (ENWAT)”

My home country China is a populous developing nation with limited natural resources and a burgeoning economy. It still has a long way to go before natural water resources are used in a sustainable manner and environmental pollution is decreased to acceptable levels. Tackling these problems was my major motivation in coming to Stuttgart, where I first of all received my Master’s Degree in "Water Resources Engineering and Management" and then entered the doctoral programme “Environment Water” (ENWAT).

At the Universität Stuttgart I appreciate the excellent academic atmosphere, superior faculty and state-of-the-art-facilities.

I am very pleased with my decision to come here because I have been able to find a stimulating environment in which to improve my knowledge of environmental water technologies.

The doctoral programme provides us with additional advantages apart form being able to do research in Germany. ENWAT invites researchers from foreign universities to give lectures, providing us an opportunity to then discuss our own topics with them. E.g. every week a seminar is held at our Institute, and anyone interested can participate and exchange information. Technical and cultural excursions are organised as well. These not only broaden my knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies in environmental water sciences, but also furnish insight into local customs and culture. With my academic achievements and experiences, I am eager to tackle challenges in my home country when I go back there. I also want to make a contribution to the friendship between Germany and China.

• Africa Sub-Sahara
• Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania
• Central and Eastern Europe
• Latin America
• North America
• Northern Africa and the Middle East
• Western Europe