PhD / Doctorate •

Degree

Dr rer nat (Doctor rerum naturalium)
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

Teaching language

• English

Languages

Our international PhD programme is only offered in English.

Programme duration

6 semesters

Beginning

Winter and summer semester

Application deadline

Varies

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master's degree / PhD programme

No

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

Based on a biomedical Master's course of study, the aim of the doctoral course of study International PhD Programme in Molecular Medicine is to train graduates to independently carry out scientific research in the field of molecular medicine. Core elements of the programme are a biomedical PhD thesis (three years) as well as general theoretical and practical training courses in the field of life sciences. In addition, PhD students are offered a variety of key competence seminars such as Good Scientific Practice, Scientific Writing and Presentation Skills, Project Management, Patent Law, and Career Planning. Retreats, symposia, and meetings as well as excursions to pharmaceutical companies are also part of the curriculum. By successfully completing the doctoral course of study, graduates can earn the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Dr rerum naturalium (Dr rer nat) degree.
The International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm is funded by the Medical Faculty and the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and Arts (MWK) in the context of sustainability financing.

Course organisation

Apart from their own laboratory work, doctoral students must attend several compulsory courses over a three-year period. These include:

• the Progress Report, Journal Club, and Good Scientific Practice seminars
• 30 optional lectures per year
• the Improve Your Textbook Knowledge lecture series during the first study year
• two practical laboratory training courses over a period of 10 days
• optional activities such as mini-symposia, excursions, workshops, and key competence seminars

In addition, students have to pass one intermediate evaluation after the first year of studies and one after the second year of studies.

Fast Track PhD Programme in Molecular Medicine
Target group: highly motivated and talented graduates

After passing the first year of the Master's course of study in Molecular Medicine, students with above-average results will be given the opportunity to directly enter the three-year doctoral phase.

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A Diploma supplement will be issued

Yes

International elements

• Projects with partners in Germany and abroad

Integrated internships

Each PhD student is given a mobility budget over the course of the whole PhD period of study. This can be used for attending international conferences, symposia, etc. or for visiting partner labs to conduct practical training.

PhD students have to complete two practical training sessions over a period of ten days within the first two years of study.

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

Yes

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

No

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

The semester contribution is 170 EUR per semester. For further details, see the following website of the Office of the Registrar: https://www.uni-ulm.de/en/study/organisation/tuition-fees/

Costs of living

The cost of living in Ulm is estimated to be around 600 EUR to 850 EUR per month. For the estimated cost of living, see the following website of the International Office: https://www.uni-ulm.de/en/io/degree-phd/welcome/finances/living-expenses/

Funding opportunities within the university

No

Academic admission requirements

• Four-year Bachelor's degree, Master of Science degree, German Diploma, or equivalent degree in life sciences, physics, chemistry, informatics, or a related field
• Final grade of 2.0 or better (according to the German grading system)

Language requirements

As teaching is in English, very good knowledge of the English language is required. Applicants have to demonstrate their English language skills during a public presentation and personal interviews in Ulm.

Application deadline

Varies

Submit application to

Applications can only be submitted via our application platform. All of the information is published on our website: 
https://www.uni-ulm.de/mm

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Career advisory service

We offer many career-promoting courses on topics such as proposal writing, how to start a career with a PhD, or working in Germany's industry. We are also organising a career day featuring talks by representatives from the fields of science and various companies.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Accompanying programme

Ulm University

Founded in 1967, Ulm University is dedicated to world-class teaching and research in medicine and STEM . The more than 10,000 students are distributed among the faculties of medicine, engineering, computer science and psychology, mathematics and economics as well as natural sciences.

According to a Times Higher Education ranking, which is based on research and teaching excellence, Ulm University is ranked 14th worldwide among all universities founded in the "Golden Age of Higher Education", an era between 1945 and 1967 that is characterised by rapid university expansion. In a broader perspective, Ulm University is ranked 148th worldwide among all universities regardless of their age and thus belongs to the 15 best universities in Germany, according to another recent analysis by Times Higher Education.

Ulm University's subject range concentrates around the MINT subjects (Mathematics, Information Technology, Natural Sciences and Technology); the latest research findings are swiftly incorporated into the curriculum, and, thus, always ensure state-of-the-art subjects and content. Ulm University attaches great importance to the ongoing refinement of its high standards in teaching, which are defined and anchored in its teaching mission statement . Ulm University's continuing academic education offers working professionals specialist knowledge and management skills.

As a young research university, Ulm University is oriented towards the global challenges of the future: 12 strategic and interdisciplinary research themes are contributing to improvements in the areas of ageing, sustainability, and technologies of the future as well as human health and well-being. Great success in the acquisition of third-party funding and numerous larger collaborative projects, such as collaborative research centres and a Cluster of Excellence, are all testimonies to the university's research strength.

Ulm University is the centre of and driving force behind the "Science City Ulm", an innovative teaching, research and science hub. There are numerous start-ups, development centres of renowned companies such as Siemens, Nokia, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, BMW or Continental as well as clinics and non-university research institutions that are connected with the university. In addition to close collaborations in research projects, contract lecturers from the industry bring their knowledge into the university. At the same time, students gain insight into practice through internships and final theses.

Ulm University is a founding member of YERUN, a network of highly ranked young European research universities , and it hosts the German headquarters of Germany’s largest transnational education project, the German University in Cairo .

For more information on Ulm University, see:
https://www.uni-ulm.de/en/ or watch this video about study experience at Ulm University .

University location

Ulm is one of the most innovative, dynamic, fast-growing and liveable cities in Germany. It is located in the heart of southern Germany, near Stuttgart, Munich, the Alps and Switzerland.

With a population of more than 120,000 people, Ulm has an ideal size for living, studying and working. The city offers a diversified mix of medieval and modern architecture and a great variety of cultural, sports and leisure activities.

A healthy mix of medium-sized businesses and global players, of high-tech and trade, of innovation and tradition makes Ulm and the greater Ulm area to one of Germany's economically most dynamic regions.

A literally outstanding landmark is the "Muenster", Ulm's cathedral. The Muenster has the world's highest steeple, which measures 161.5 metres (530 ft).

Ulm is also the birthplace of Albert Einstein (1879-1955), the world's most famous scientist.

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