PhD / Doctorate •

Degree

Dr-Ing and Dr rer pol

Teaching language

• German
• English

Languages

Participants can choose to write the doctoral dissertation in either language, the defence is usually in German.

Full-time / part-time

• full-time

Programme duration

8 semesters

Beginning

Only for doctoral programmes: any time

Application deadline

Please look at our website for the current application deadlines.

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master's degree / PhD programme

No

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

Established as a central scientific institution of the University of Stuttgart with the right to award doctorates, it represents an innovative and unique organisational and structural model for the doctoral phase by connecting research and qualification as well as cooperation of science and economy. GSaME offers the optimal conditions for graduates to earn the titles of Dr-Ing and Dr rer pol. Young scientists have the opportunity to be integrated into an interdisciplinary research environment given by the university institutes and the cooperation partners in industry and science. The advanced Manufacturing Engineering paradigm for next generation factories is supported by a collection of emerging technologies according to the main interdisciplinary research fields (clusters): Strategies and Factories' Development, Management of Global Manufacturing Networks, Information and Communication Technologies for Manufacturing, Equipment and Service Engineering, Material and Process Engineering, Intelligent Manufacturing Systems.

Course organisation

GSaME has self-administration with its own terms and conditions, autonomous management, its own curricular concept including selection procedures and regulations for the doctoral degree. The mission of the Graduate School is to advance the scientific foundation of manufacturing engineering by autonomous scientific work and through interdisciplinary qualification of elite managers, engineers and scientists for the global challenges of the next generation factories. GSaME implemented the very successful concept of the dual education system for vocational training established in Germany, aiming at a dual scientific education system, which focuses on a constant exchange between theoretical and practical phases based on independent scientific work and industrial internships. Working in close cooperation with national and international institutions, the school promotes an innovative model of doctoral research training.

Theoretical lectures and seminars

Research demonstrators for advanced Manufacturing Engineering, as an innovative training, research and test environment for performing practical research with physical and digital tools

Dissertation projects performed in an expert and collaborative supervision and mentoring environment

Industry best-practice projects

International orientation

The relationship between research training activities within GSaME and research projects is defined as 50/50 at the beginning. The research training activities consist of theoretical lectures and seminars, research demonstrators for advanced Manufacturing Engineering and the international orientation. Most of the courses are taught in German and since publications are a scientist's hallmark, the excellent command of both languages is mandatory. 

International elements

• International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context

Integrated internships

Industry internships are part of the doctoral programme.

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

No

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

No

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

Approx. 200 EUR per semester

Costs of living

Living expenses amount to about 940 EUR per month. You will have to demonstrate that you have sufficient finances to cover your living expenses for 12 months. EU citizens may apply for state-guaranteed loans during the time of enrolment. For more information, see the links on our websites.

Funding opportunities within the university

Yes

Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

Please check our website on financial aid and scholarships: https://www.uni-stuttgart.de/en/study/living-in-stuttgart/finances/index.html

Academic admission requirements

• An engineering (mechanical or electrical), information or physical science, or business administration university degree is mandatory ("Diplom" or Master's degree).
• Written personal statement (motivation and background)
• Letters of recommendation from two well-known professors
• Online application is required.
• Proof of English C1 and German C1 language proficiency
• A Master’s or equivalent university degree in the field of the research topic according to § 3 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 of the Promotionsordnung (doctoral regulations of the University of Stuttgart).
• Conformance to the requirements of the doctoral regulations of the University of Stuttgart in the relevant version.

Language requirements

Applicants must provide proof of their German and English skills.
German: TestDaF TDN4 minimum
English: min. IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL (minimum 102 iBT-TOEFL; 255 CBT-TOEFL; 575 PBT-TOEFL)

Application deadline

Please look at our website for the current application deadlines.

Submit application to

Please submit your application via our online application platform: https://www.gsame.uni-stuttgart.de/en/admission/

Possibility of finding part-time employment

Please be aware that it may be very challenging to finance your whole studies by working. Non-EU citizens are allowed by law to work for a maximum of 120 days per year. Only students who are employed by the university in one of the institutes or departments (Studentische/Wissenschaftliche Hilfskräfte) are exempt from this regulation, but other restrictions apply.

For more detailed and updated information, please consult our websites:
International Students: Financing your Studies and Working during your studies

Accommodation

Both the campus in Stuttgart-Vaihingen and the campus in the centre of Stuttgart have on-site halls of residence. Dorm rooms (ranging from 240 to 350 EUR per month) are furnished. Some are equipped with a sink, and all have access to kitchen and sanitary facilities, telephone and Internet. From the campus in Stuttgart-Vaihingen, the city of Stuttgart can be reached by suburban railway within ten minutes.

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Welcome event
• Buddy programme
• Tutors
• Accompanying programme
• Cultural and linguistic preparation
• Pick-up service
• Specialist counselling
• Visa matters
• Help with finding accommodation
• Support with registration procedures

Intelligent systems for a sustainable society

The University of Stuttgart is one of the leading technically oriented universities in Germany with global significance. Located centrally in an economically strong region with vast cultural integration, the university sees itself as a hub of university-based, extramural and industrial research. Furthermore, it takes a role as a leader in research-based teaching, focused on quality and holism. The university is dedicated to researching and strengthening the interfaces between technology, society and culture in an interdisciplinary manner, defined as the "Stuttgart Way". This means the integration of engineering, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences based on the fundamentals of cutting-edge research at a disciplinary level.

Excellent research and teaching

The University of Stuttgart implements innovative concepts in research and teaching in order to provide knowledge and strategies for a meaningful and sustainable development. It focuses on basic research that is both knowledge-oriented and application-related. To facilitate this research, the university is actively part of regional, national and international research networks.

The university is committed to the principle of unity between research and teaching. Students acquire knowledge, expertise and the power of judgement, in accordance with the guidelines of scientific research and awareness. The university fosters fascination for the sciences, supporting its students and junior researchers at all stages of their careers. It promotes independent thinking and provides an environment for responsible action. In doing so, it educates individuals into exceptional experts who think in an integrative and global manner and act responsibly in the sciences, economics and society.

A powerful region

Founded in 1829, at the beginning of the Industrial Age, the University of Stuttgart continues to prepare the way for innovation within an economically and scientifically powerful region and contributes to the economic success and prosperity of our society. This process combines the requirements of a social and cultural change, which allows an early and extensive input of social interests in research and design as well as teaching and further education.

Open-mindedness

The University of Stuttgart stands for open-mindedness, individuality and community spirit. It brings together students that are eager to learn, highly motivated employees, outstanding teachers, and excellent researchers as well as visionary thinkers and inventors. By means of its culture of integration, the university creates and conveys knowledge for shaping the future of our society.

The University of Stuttgart is nestled in one of Europe’s most vibrant industrial regions. This fosters many forms of interdisciplinary collaboration – for instance, in numerous Collaborative Research Centres (also known as CRC or sometimes CRC/TRR) and in application-oriented research assignments. The University of Stuttgart sets up a close relationship and a successful transfer of knowledge and technology between its research institutions and business enterprises in the region and beyond. This very practical orientation benefits research and teaching. At the same time, economic players profit from rapid access to new scientific knowledge and contact to experts in their specialised fields. There are numerous possibilities of collaboration for businesses. Furthermore, the university also maintains a close relationship with non-university research institutions such as the Max Planck Society, the Fraunhofer Society, the German Aerospace Center and the German Literature Archive Marbach. Thus, the optimal prerequisites for cutting-edge research at the highest level are all to be found in Stuttgart.

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