Doctorate at TUM

Options to follow a doctorate

• Individual doctorate at TUM
• Doctorate within a structured program at TUM
• Part-time doctorate at TUM
• Joint degree with TUM
• In cooperation with a Bavarian research institution
• In cooperation with the industry

An individual doctorate is the most common path in germany, you select your research topic yourself and search for a suited Professor (the so-called Doktorvater/-mutter) to supervise your work. The TUM Graduate School offers you a wide range of advanced training and collaborative workshops/seminars in order to support you during your doctorate. TUM has a full range of thematic disciplines within its 13 Faculties. Please note that there are no deadlines for applying.

A structured program offers you additional subject related and advanced training during your research. They usually focus on one topic and have open job positions or scholarships. Within TUM you can also combine an individual doctorate with the structured frame of the TUM Graduate School as it includes tailor-made advanced training courses, workshops, seminars and networking events which combine academic/technical subjects encompassing topics of social and entrepreneurial relevance. Members of the TUM Graduate School therefore benefit from an excellent offer within ony of our Faculty or Thematic Graduate Centers.

If you would like to research at TUM for a limited period only and intend to complete your doctorate at your native university, then you can enroll at TUM for up to 6 as a part-time doctoral candidate. For this, you will need to find a professor at TUM, who is willing to support you during your research stay. Please take look at our overview of all Faculties at TUM. As a part-time doctoral candidate you do not have to undergo any recognition of your degree and have no application deadlines. Being a part-time doctorate, you can take part in the Kick Off Seminar of the TUM Graduate School for free. For further information, please turn to your Thematic or Faculty Graduate Center.

You can initiate a Joint Degree / Cotutelle with the approval of your Professor. Usually your do your research within two universities in two different countries. Please bear in mind, that the regulations at TUM only allow a Joint Degree, meaning that you will receive one certificate where both universities award their title. Within this process TUM will need to sign an agreement with the other university. TUM already has a template regarding such agreements. For further information, especially regarding a Cotutelle with France, please contact Susanne Stoever. TUM has set such agreements with univerisites abroad, such as ParisTech, NTU, KAUST. It is also possible to issue an individual agreement with a university abroad, please keep in mind, that such a process can take quite a while.
In cooperation with a Bavarian research institution

In Munich there are numerous reputed research institutions which might be relevant for your main area of research and therefore for a cooperation. Please search for a supervisor within the concerned research institution, as well as a Professor at TUM to support your doctorate. You can find a general introduction to research work in Bavaria, as well as a list of all institutions where you could do your research, on the website of the Bavarian State Ministry for Science, Research and Art.


In cooperation with the industry

Of course you can also conduct your research within a cooperation between the industry and TUM. Usually, candidates are fully employed by the company concerned. Please search for a topic supported by the industry and, as you can only receive an academic certificate from a university, also search for a suited Professor at TUM to supervise your project.



contact: tuborgh@zv.tum.de