Prospective doctoral candidates
Thank you for your interest in doing a doctorate at Munich University of Applied Sciences (HM). On this website you can find information on a doctorate at HM and the first steps to be taken.
A doctorate is an option that can be chosen after the Master's degree as an alternative to direct entry into a company or to self-employment. You should think in advance about what goals you are pursuing with a doctorate and in which specific area you want to conduct research. A doctorate can be completed at a traditional university or at a university of applied sciences.
Doctoral Research Centres and Cooperative Doctorates
There are two types of doctorates at HM: independent doctorates at one of the 4 Doctoral Research Centres and cooperative doctorates involving a traditional university. Independent doctorates are possible in the research areas for which HM has been granted the right to award doctorates or in which HM is involved in Doctoral Research Centres of other universities of applied sciences. These research areas are Civil Engineering, Economics, Materials & Production Engineering and Computer Science.
In the case of cooperative doctorates, the doctorate is obtained in cooperation with traditional universities at which the first supervisors are based.
Munich University of Applied Sciences has strong research areas such as Energy and Building Services Engineering and Building Physics as well as Applied Sciences, in which research is carried out at a high level in a solution-oriented manner in cooperation with regional industry. However, the HM is also characterised by its diversity of research areas. A doctorate is therefore possible in principle at all faculties.
Subject areas for doctorates
Dissertation topics are assigned in the following research areas in particular:
- Automotive
- Digital value creation
- Energy Efficiency
- Production and building materials
- Socio-economic innovations
Further information on the research areas and the research institutes can be found here.
Doctorates are also awarded in other research areas. For more information, please contact the professor who is specialised in the intended research area directly.
The requirements for a doctorate at the HM depend in particular on the regulations of the cooperating traditional university. As a rule, an above-average degree (Diplom, Magister or Master) at a traditional university, an equivalent state examination or a Master’s degree at a university of applied sciences is required. Equivalent foreign degrees will also be accepted.
Those interested in doing a doctorate should contact the traditional university in question directly and clarify whether they meet the admission requirements.
The preparation for a doctorate consists of several steps:
- Find a research topic and a supervisor at HM
- Find a supervisor at a cooperating traditional university
- Secure sufficient funding
- Complete all the administrative steps required by the traditional university
- Acquire affiliation to the HM through enrolment or by signing an employment contract.
The following funding options are available:
- Employment at HM as a researcher
- External employment, e.g. with an industrial partner
- Scholarship.
Check here for our current vacancies.
For external employment, please contact the company you are interested in directly.
Scholarships are awarded by foundations and funding associations.
Cooperative doctorates can also be arranged in collaboration with a foreign university .
Are you coming from abroad to do a doctorate at HM? Check here for more information for international doctoral candidates .
Read more about doing a doctorate at HM.
Contact
Contact the staff of the HM Graduate School for more information and support.