Pursuing a doctorate at Hochschule München
Graduate School
At Hochschule München (HM), the support provided to early career researchers is becoming increasingly important. The Graduate School is responsible for supporting individuals, services and structures, from the initial interest in a doctorate right through to preparation for a professorship at a University of Applied Sciences. Within the European framework, this corresponds to career stages R1 (First-Stage Researcher/doctoral candidate), R2 (Recognised Researcher/postdoctoral researcher) and, to some extent, R3 (Established Researcher/probationary period).
The focus of our work is on the doctoral phase. There are currently 230 doctoral candidates studying for their doctorates at the HM. These doctoral candidates are spread across all 14 departments and thus cover the entire academic spectrum of the HM. In addition, there are around a dozen postdocs.
In addition to a cooperative doctorate involving a university, there is also the option of an independent doctorate at one of the eight doctoral centers that now exist. Independent doctoral programmes are available in the subject areas for which the HM has been granted the right to award doctorates, or in which the HM participates in doctoral centres run by other Universities of Applied Sciences. These include, amongst others, civil engineering, economics, energy technology, mobility, computer science and engineering physics.
Doctoral research centers
Our events
6 Nov 2026
09:00 - 17:00
Research2Market: Successfully marketing research findings (compulsory elective module)
This course is aimed at doctoral candidates who wish to explore whether their research project has the potential to yield more than just an academic publication: an application, a collaboration with a practice partner, or, ideally, even a viable business model.
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10 Nov 2026
09:00 - 17:00
CANCELED: Good Scientific Practice (Compulsory elective module)
This seminar provides doctoral candidates and research assistants with an overview of the rules governing good academic practice, as well as how to deal with research misconduct. It also highlights common areas of conflict relating to the principles of good academic practice.
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17 Nov 2026
09:30 - 10:00
Doing a doctorate whilst raising a child
You are doing a doctorate at HM and you are (soon to be) parents? If so, feel free to join us at our event on the topic of ‘Doing a doctorate whilst raising a child’.
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18.11.2026 -
25.11.2026
Research data management (compulsory elective module)
This workshop teaches doctoral candidates and research staff members about professional research data management (RDM). Improve and streamline your research process by managing your data effectively.
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12.01.2027 -
26.01.2027
AI Playground: Discover, discuss, apply – new tools for your research (elective module)
The workshop supports doctoral candidates and scientific staff at HM in discovering and reflecting on the potential of AI in their day-to-day research work, and in utilising it in a targeted manner for research-related work processes.
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20 Jan 2027
09:00 - 17:00
Good Scientific Practice (Compulsory module)
This seminar provides doctoral candidates and research assistants with an overview of the rules governing good academic practice, as well as how to deal with research misconduct. It also highlights common areas of conflict relating to the principles of good academic practice.
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21.01.2027 -
22.01.2027
Managing information overload – reading efficiently
This seminar shows you how to work through your reading pile more quickly, hone your focus on what really matters, and make use of AI assistance where it makes sense. Learn how to create the right conditions for reading, select texts in a targeted way, and work through them in a structured manner.
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26.02.2027 -
05.03.2027
Scientific Work (compulsory module)
In this seminar, scientific staff members are given an overview of the tools they need for their academic work. The focus is on practical guidance for the individual stages: project design, research and knowledge management, structuring, and academic writing.
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