PhD Positions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Can I apply even if I did not receive my degree yet?
Yes. However, you must hold or anticipate receiving your university degree before starting your thesis work.
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Can I apply for a PhD position with a bachelor’s being my highest degree?
We cannot accept applications by students with a bachelor’s being their highest degree at the time of potentially taking up a PhD position. A completed or imminent Master’s degree is a prerequisite for the application as a PhD student in our program as well as for being awarded a doctorate by TUD.
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Is there an age limit?
We do not have a strict age limit. However, we would like to point out that we expect a coherent career path and most of our 1st year students are on average 25 years old.
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What is the working language within the DIGS-BB?
Our working language is English and you can follow our program without any knowledge of German. However, we strongly encourage learning German while you are here.
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What documents do I need to provide during the application process?
You need to upload the official certificates and academic transcripts (BSc, Masters) in order to complete your online application. It is not necessary to upload your CV, course certificates, language certificates, thesis, publications, a GRE result, or any other document that is not requested.
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Do I need to provide my certificates translated into English?
No. However, please provide English documents if available.
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Do I need to provide a GRE result?
No, we do not a GRE result from you. Our faculty and staff will assess your application based on your provided texts and certificates.
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Do I need to provide TOEFL or IELTS results?
No. But if available we recommend uploading TOEFL or IELTS results to your application, since high proficiency is required.
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I have my own funding. Does this guarantee a place in the program?
No. All applicants must successfully pass the admission procedure in order to be eligible to join.
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Can I modify my application?
You can modify your application within the deadline and before you submit it to us. Thereafter, changes are not possible. Note that this includes the addition of materials (certificates, transcripts, test results). No modifications or materials can be accepted outside our application online system, after the deadline, or after submission.
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Can the PhD Office add or revise information of my application after the deadlines?
No. The program does not add or change information within applications.
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How many reference letters are required for my application?
Your application needs to be supported by a minimum of two academic reference letters submitted to us before the application deadline. We can only consider recommendations that are submitted via the online recommendation form and not via email.
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My referee did not receive your invitation for submitting a reference letter. What can I do?
We do send out the invitation to your referees right after your registration to the email address you indicated. You need to make sure that you provide correct information and should also inform your referee about the time of registration to ensure that our email is not in the spam filter or alike.
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What can I do if I provided faulty contact information for my referee?
Before the registration deadline you are able to use the function “add referee” and give the correct information in this section. Please note that after finishing your registration, you can only add a maximum of two referees.
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How will I know that my referee submitted a recommendation letter?
The online application will give you the status of the recommendation letters, additionally you’ll receive an email after we received a recommendation letter. However, you will not see the recommendation letter itself.
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Does the DIGS-BB charge an application fee, and how much is it?
We do not charge an application fee.
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Do I need to contact research group leaders before applying?
No, it is not necessary to contact group leaders. You will be applying to the program as a whole, not to a particular group. However, In the online application you will find a form in which you can list up to six research groups you are interested in. Candidates invited to the interview week will have time to discuss scientific questions and projects with group leaders in person before final decisions are made.
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Which group leaders are offering thesis projects in the current round?
We publish a list of group leaders that intend to take part in the upcoming selection. However, please note that this list is subject to constant modification due to probable changes in the group leaders’ funding situation.
PhD Fall Selection 2021
register by
1 June 2021 23:59 CEST (GMT+2)
submit by
8 June 2021 23:59 CEST (GMT+2)
video interviews with admission committee:
19–23 July 2021
interview week (virtual):
6–10 September 2021