Obtaining a Doctorate in Saxony-Anhalt
Doing a doctorate – what does that mean?
A doctorate is an own achievement in scientific research which contributes to the advancement of the discipline. It is about the deepening of the own autonomous scientific work. The basis for this autonomous work, like learning about good scientific practice, was already laid by the previously completed studies (mostly a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree) and is not part of the doctorate.
(see Wissenschaftsrat 2011: Anforderungen an die Qualitätssicherung der Promotion - Positionspapier des Wissenschaftsrates, p. 8)
Doing a doctorate – why?
Before starting with your doctoral project, you should ask yourself why you would like to obtain a doctorate – what is your motivation? Talk to family, friends and your thesis supervisor to collectively answer that question.
Doing a doctorate – how?
If you have a master’s degree or an equivalent degree, you may pursue a doctorate. Doctoral candidates at the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences can do their doctorate in two different manners:
- cooperatively with a university: That means that the first supervisor, i.e. a professor, works at a university. The second supervisor works at the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences. Those doctoral candidates are bound to the doctoral regulations of the respective university und of the respective doctoral committee. They can nevertheless matriculate at the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences as a doctoral student and participate in the trainings for doctoral candidates (of which most are in German).
- in a Doctoral Center: That means that the first (and maybe the only) supervisor works at the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences. The Universities of applied sciences in Saxony-Anhalt received the right to award doctorates in 2021. Universities of applied sciences focus on practice-oriented research. They are well-connected to public institutions and industry. The Universities of applied sciences in Saxony-Anhalt founded several Doctoral Centers in 2021.
Learn more on Universities of applied sciences [external link]
Offers for doctoral candidates
Offers for all doctoral candidates, like workshops und consultations, of the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences can be found here.
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Doctoral Centers at the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences
Social, Health and Economic Sciences
of the Universities of applied sciences Magdeburg-Stendal, Anhalt, Harz and Merseburg
General information
Financing your doctorate
There are several ways to finance your doctorate:
- with a scholarship
Be aware that the application process can take several months. German language skills are an asset or even a requirement for some scholarships.
more information on scholarships including scholarship databases [external link]
- working in a research project connected to your doctorate
One way of starting a career as a doctoral researcher is to apply for a doctoral job vacancy in a research project. You can find such job postings on the websites of the respective universities and in job databases, like the PhDGermany Database [external link].
- working in a job outside of academia
Working full-time is possible for pursuing a doctorate but demands very high levels of discipline and devotion. It is recommendable to work part-time.
Please be aware that the Doctoral Centers do not provide jobs or financing.
Planning your stay in Germany
- Visas
Prospective doctoral candidates from the EU, from the European Economic Area or from Switzerland can pursue their doctorate in Germany without needing a residence permit.
All other prospective doctoral candidates need to fulfil certain criteria for a visa, i.e. having an employment contract in Germany or a proof of a scholarship. Seeing that the Doctoral Center does not offer a structured PhD programme, applying for a study visa is not possible. You may consider pursuing your doctorate outside of Germany, if the supervisor agrees to online meetings.
Be aware that acquiring a visa can take several months.
more information on visas for Germany [external link]
You want to bring your family for your stay in Germany? Find more information here. [external link]
- Living in Germany
Find some general information on accommodation, family life, healthcare, insurances and more here. [external link]
The University's International Office may also be able to answer your questions.
Contact Persons
Prorector for Research, Development and Technology Transfer
Prof. Dr. Kerstin Baumgarten
Tel.: +49 (0) 391 886 41 05
Fax: +39 (0) 391 886 47 09
E-Mail: pro_forschung@h2.de
Visitor's adress: House 3, Room 1.04
Contact details
Coordinator Doctoral Center Social, Health and Economic Sciences
Josephin Winkler
Phone: 0049 3931 2187 3812
E-Mail: josephin.winkler(at)h2.de
Address: Stendal, Osterburger Str. 25, House 2, Room 1.18
Make an appointment for a consultation here.
Consultation hours via phone for doctoral students and interested persons:
Mondays 12:00 - 13:00, Central European Time
Wednesdays 11:00 - 12:00, Central European Time
Time Zone Converter [external link]
You can also make an individual appointment for a Zoom meeting.
Coordinator Doctoral Center Environment and Technology
Kerstin Taenzer
Tel.: 0049 391 886 49 92
E-Mail: kerstin.taenzer@h2.de
Address: Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum FEZ, Breitscheidstr. 51, 39114 Magdeburg, Room 3.02
