salary after phd germany

PhD, Postdoc, and Professor Salaries in Germany

Germany is one of the leading countries for research and a hub for innovation. The country’s high quality of life combined with lower cost of living make it an attractive destination for international researchers. Are you contemplating a move to Germany? Here is a breakdown of the most common German academic jobs and their salaries. All salary statistics in this article are in Euros per month and are pre-tax.

Doctorate Degree

In Germany applicants must apply for a preset doctoral project that is usually tied to a professor’s own research. Students do not do any coursework; they start working on their project immediately. They are also required to take on some teaching responsibilities. The time it takes to earn a doctorate depends on the field, but three to five years is typical.

The salaries of PhD students are based on the federal wage agreement ( Tarifvertrag der Länder or TV-L). There are several pay scales ( Entgeltgruppe ) within the TV-L but PhD students are usually paid at the TV-L E13 level. Within this level, there are three factors that determine the student’s actual salary. The first is the pay grade ( Stufe ) which is based on the number of years of experience you have. Most PhD students start at Stufe 1 and progress through the grades as they gain years of seniority. The next factor is the working hours (50%, 67%, 75%, or 100%) and the final factor which federal state the university is in. You can find the salary calculators for each state here . For example, the salary range for a 100% PhD student is €4,053-€5,701 per month while the range for a 67% PhD student is €2,729-€3,820 per month.

Postdoctoral Researcher/Fellow

After earning their doctorate, researchers go on to a postdoc. A postdoc is a continuation of the researcher’s training that allows them to further specialize in a particular field and learn new skills and techniques. It may require them to take on teaching responsibilities. German postdocs typically last two to four years.

Like all non-tenured academic positions in Germany, postdoc salaries are fairly rigid. They are based on the same TV-L federal wage agreement as PhD salaries. The salaries are determined the same way too, taking into account pay scale, pay grade, working hours, and state. You can find the salary calculators for each state here . Postdocs are paid at the E13 or (less commonly) E14 level , with the exact starting pay grade depending on how their years of experience (bachelor's, Master’s, and PhD) are counted. The salary range for a 100% E13 postdoc is €4,053-€5,701 per month and the salary range for a 100% E14 postdoc is €4,419-€6,076 per month.

Juniorprofessur/Juniordozent

Junior professors positions offer early career academics the opportunity to research, supervision, administration, and teaching experience on equal terms to other university instructors. Junior professorships are usually for three to four years and can be extended for a total of six years. It is often a temporary position, however, certain universities offer a tenure-track option. Germany has recently signed an agreement to create 1,000 tenure-track junior professorships by 2032.

Junior professors, like all German professors, are paid according to the W- Besoldung salary table . This scale dictates base salaries according to which state the university is in. Unlike the PhD and postdoc pay scale, there are no pay grades within this scale. A W1 professor will make minimum €4,713-€5,301 per month.

Professur (W2)

To become a professor, an academic needs to have completed the Habilitation, have a positive evaluation as a junior professor, or have led their own junior research group. W2 professors are considered independent researchers and generally have permanent positions. Internal promotion to these positions is not encouraged in Germany. With the exceptions of junior professors, academics cannot be appointed a professor at the university they did their Habilitation.

The base salary for a W2 professor is €5,365-€6,676 per month depending on which state the university is in. In Bund, Bayern, Hessen, and Sachsen there are multiple pay grades within the W2 band meaning the professor’s salary will increase in five or seven years in the position. Salaries can also be increased by family allowances, retention payments, and performance bonuses. As professors are civil servants with high job security, they do not typically pay the same social insurance contributions as other employees.

Professur (W3)

A W3 professor is the highest German academic position that usually involves responsibility of a chair or for an institute. The requirements to become a full professor are very demanding and as a consequence, there is often a minimum age requirement for this sort of professorship. Professors in Germany are public servants and as such have permanent positions at their universities.

The base salary for a W3 professor is €5,343-€7,578 per month depending on which state the university is in. In Bund, Bayern, Hessen, and Sachsen there are multiple pay grades within the W3 band meaning the professor’s salary will increase in five or seven years in the position. Salaries can also be increased by family allowances, retention payments, and performance bonuses. As professors are civil servants with high job security, they do not typically pay the same social insurance contributions as other employees.

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Doctorate salaries What does a doctoral candidate earn in Germany?

A doctoral degree will certainly only help you to become rich in an idealistic sense. The first contract for a PhD position should have a term of at least one year - after which, graduates are rewarded with their first salary increase.

What determines the salary of doctoral candidates in Germany?

Which pay band applies to doctoral students in germany, what is the salary of doctorate students in germany, what are levels of experience and how do i gain relevant professional experience during my phd degree in germany, does changing to another research project or institute in germany have an impact on postgraduates' experience level, if doctoral candidates go abroad, become temporarily unemployed or receive a scholarship, what effect does this have on their experience level, what additional salary benefits are there for postgraduates in germany.

Most doctoral candidates are appointed at a university or non-university research institution through a third-party centre or funding centre. These are all civil service institutions, so the salary for employed doctoral candidates is either based on the collective agreement for civil service (TVoeD) or the collective agreement for the civil service in the individual federal states (TV-L). Hesse, which is not a member of the collective agreement community of the federal states, has its own TV-H collective agreement. Other ways to finance your own PhD as a junior scientist include a PhD scholarship, an industrial PhD programme at a research institute in the private sector or an extra-occupational PhD. Even in the case of an industrial PhD programme, postgraduates are usually paid on the basis of a collective agreement. For example, if you are completing your PhD while working for a car manufacturer, the company collective agreement that IG Metall has concluded with the company will apply.

In the case of the TVoeD, TV-L and TV-H, employees are paid according to their professional qualifications and the demands of their job. There are 15 pay bands in this area. Postgraduates are paid in accordance with pay band 13. PhD positions with a classification in pay band 14 are the absolute exception. Advanced postdocs are usually only promoted to a higher pay band if the they take on additional research responsibility. PhD status is no guarantee of promotion to the next pay band.

The collective bargaining agreements between employers and unions are regularly renegotiated. These negotiations aim to improve working conditions and increasing the monthly gross salary of all civil servants. This means that even postgraduates can look forward to a slightly higher salary. As postgraduates rarely fill a full-time position, their actual gross salary needs to be adjusted on the basis of their working hours.

There are newcomers and old hands in every profession. For researchers with a PhD in science, this breadth of experience is taken into account in the experience levels, which each come with a significant salary increase, as is the case for all employees of the civil service. All three collective agreements for civil servants provide for six levels of experience. The time spent at each stage, the stage duration, increases by one year at each stage. According to this scheme, graduates are entry-level applicants. Accordingly, postgraduates start at experience level 1 with the lowest salary. In their first postgraduate position, it is essential that PhD graduates ensure that the contractual term is at least 12 months and that they will be employed for a full year with no interruptions. Employment contracts of less than one year do not qualify as relevant professional experience according to civil service regulations.

When starting in a new position, you are therefore allocated back at Experience level 1 – without taking the progress you have already made into account. This applies even if the change of contract is seamless and remains within the same facility. Experience level 1 must be fully completed in a single employment contract to qualify for Experience level 2. However, once these twelve months have been served, shorter contractual terms then apply as relevant professional experience. Students who are awarded their doctorate within the allocated six years and are employed as a research associate at the same time can therefore also achieve Experience level 4 with a considerable salary when they graduate. It is not important whether you have a full-time position while completing your doctorate or, as is the case for most PhD positions, have a part-time job (50%–75% position).

Employment contracts of less than one year do not qualify as relevant professional experience according to civil service regulations. When starting in a new position, you are therefore allocated back at Experience level 1 – without taking the progress you have already made into account. This applies even if the change of contract is seamless and remains within the same facility. Experience level 1 must be fully completed in a single employment contract to qualify for Experience level 2. However, once these twelve months have been served, shorter contractual terms then apply as relevant professional experience. Students who are awarded their doctorate within the allocated six years and are employed as a research associate at the same time can therefore also achieve Experience level 4 with a considerable salary when they graduate. It is not important whether you have a full-time position while completing your doctorate or, as is the case for most PhD positions, have a part-time job (50%–75% position).

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Many doctoral candidates are employed in third-party funded projects are required to move from job to job to secure their income. Graduates who have been employed for at least a year with one single employment contract and has therefore gained the required professional experience is in fact in a secure position in terms of their experience level. After this point, shorter contractual terms then apply as relevant professional experience. Even switching between different employers, states and collective agreements is no longer a problem, and the duration of each stage remains the same for doctoral candidates and other researchers from now on. However, they must submit an application to their new employer. In the case of a difficult candidate situation, institutions can even accommodate their future employees to some extent, for example by classifying them into the next experience level earlier than usual. However, in such cases, postgraduate must also have completed their first twelve months without interruption. Employees who change from one collective agreement to another as a postgraduate should inquire in advance whether this will have any detrimental effects on their salary. The collective agreements also stipulate a range of very different salaries within Pay band 13.

Many doctoral students want to spend a period of time abroad, as this is required in many scientific professions. Others are awarded a scholarship and finance themselves or take a break from their doctorate if they are offered a good job in the private sector. Some things should be kept in mind with regard to the experience level: Employment contracts at foreign universities and research institutions are generally recognised automatically. However, more caution should be taken with scholarships, even if the scholarship is affiliated with an institute and the same work is performed as employed researchers. This time may be included in the duration spent at each stage, but this is not necessarily always the case. After all, this time is considered "beneficial" rather than a "detrimental interruption". The latter is the case, for example, when a doctorate student enters the private sector for several years to continue their doctorate studies there. Only professional experience gained with a public employer is considered relevant. If such an interruption lasts more than three years, the employee may even be punished when returning to public service by downgrading them to a lower experience level. On the other hand, this does not apply to postgraduates on maternity leave or paid leave. This is also true of incapacity for work up to a maximum of 39 weeks. Time spent at the particular stage is still counted in such cases. Parental leave, however, is considered to be an interruption and is not counted for transition to the next experience level.

Postgraduates who hold a PhD position at a research institution receive and annual special payment, like all other employees in the civil service. This varies depending on the collective agreement and tariff area (East or West), but ranges between 33 and 60% of the average gross salary. Postgraduates who already have children and are paid on the basis of the TV-H, which is only valid in Hessen, will also benefit from a child supplement. The collective agreements also allow for additional compensation for services rendered, such as special services associated with the acquisition of third-party funds. However, there is no standard practice among the federal states and the various institutions.

PhD Candidate in Mass Spectrometry-based Cancer Biology (m/f/d)

Wissenschaftler (m/w/d) - Metallorganische chemische Gasphasenabscheidung (MOCVD) Nitrid-Halbleiter

Research Assistant/Doctoral Student (f/m/d) - Institute of Management Accounting and Control (IMC)

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PhD Stipend in Germany: How to Find a Good Job In Germany After PhD?

All countries offer financial support to PhD students in their ways, but Germany takes doctoral research particularly seriously. German PhD funding takes numerous forms, reflecting the diverse ways you can complete a PhD in Germany. The PhD programs in the country are well structured and have a practice-oriented curriculum, giving students a chance to learn the subject from the grassroots level. 

The popular PhD programs in Germany are mathematics, computer science, physics, economics and engineering. International students have the flexibility to complete their PhD thesis in English and join their field of work without hassle. Also, Doctoral students are often supported by traditional academic scholarships and fellowships, but German universities and research institutes offer salaried assistantships for their PhD researchers. Based on a full-time position, doctoral students accept between 46,000 and 56,000 EUR gross per year ((INR 36,61,472 to INR 44,57,444), depending on how much experience the doctoral student already has.

PhD Stipend in Germany For International Students

International students can apply for internships during and after the degree. While pursuing a degree course, you can apply for internships at the university itself as an assistant to the professor or research assistant at the lab. Here we have presented some of the important points regarding PhD student stipend in Germany:

• International students pursuing a PhD in German universities receive a monthly stipend. The average stipend for PhD students in Germany is 24,500 EUR/year (INR 19,53,189/year approximately).
• Besides being a PhD student, one can intern at public and private organisations with an average stipend of 500 EUR/month (INR 39,848/month approximately).
• Doctoral students starting at entry experience level should validate that their bond runs for at least 12 months, as employment agreements of less than 1 year are not measured as relevant professional experience.

Suggested: Types of Universities in Germany

Job & Salary After PhD in Germany

After completion of the PhD, the salary of a student is determined by several factors. These important factors are industry, years of experience, candidate’s skills and the job position. We have listed down some of the job positions offered to PhD graduate students in Germany with their average annual salaries -

High Paying Jobs In Germany

There are various high paying jobs in Germany that are offered to international students after completing their Phd course from top universities. 

Suggested: Part Time Jobs for Students

Top Recruiters & Salary After PhD in Germany  

Depending on a student's level of knowledge and years of experience, a plethora of job opportunities will come for a PhD graduate. Some of the important industries in Germany that offer placements to PhD students are as follows:

Suggested: Studying In Germany!

How to Find a Job After PhD in Germany?

The top cities in Germany attract a lot of PhD graduate students for their lucrative job market. Let’s look at the top cities in the country for international students.

• Berlin, the capital of Germany is known to offer jobs in the marketing sector.
• Frankfurt is a hub for the financial sector
• Munich is known for its automobile industry

Since Germany has a skilled labour shortage of more than 400,000 people, PhD graduates can conveniently get a job in Germany. Here is how international students can find jobs in Germany post degree completion -

1. Public German Job Sites

The Federal Employment Agency is one of the largest recruiting service providers in Germany. It has more than 700 offices in the country and has a platform named “International Placement Service” through which international students can find work. Make a profile on their website and mention your qualifications to get matched with a job position. 

2. Private German Job Sites

There are several websites through which PhD graduate students can search for specialised jobs. 

• Academics is a website where students can look for research-related work
• Jobware for vacancies in the field of management
• Staufenbiel and Stepstone for internships and graduate jobs 
• Students can also check Jobooh for working in startups. 

3. German Recruitment Agencies

International students who have completed their PhH course from German universities can also look for a job position in "German Yellow Pages" which has an employment section named ‘Arbeitsvermittlung’ dedicated to recruiting agencies. If the recruiting agencies are a member of the Federal Employer’s Association of Personnel Service Providers, then they can be trusted for international students. 

4. German Newspapers

For academic and governmental jobs, look through the job sections in the Sunday editorials of the following newspapers -

• Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

It has the widest newspaper circulation in Germany and 148 more countries. It is a centre-right, liberal conservative newspaper.

• Süddeutsche Zeitung

It is one of the largest daily newspapers in Germany and is published in Munich. It is a centre-left, progressive-liberal newspaper.

It is the flagship newspaper daily of the Axel Springer publishing group and is printed in Bonn.

• Handelsblatt  

It is a German-language business newspaper published by Handelsblatt Media Group. The English language version of the newspaper is known as Handelsblatt Global Edition.

Germany is one of the top 3 countries in the world to welcome more than 30,000 students in their PhD programs. The comprehensiveness of the PhD courses helps in the overall development of students and makes them job-ready. Wondering how to apply to the best universities for a PhD? Subscribe to Yocket Premium and get one-on-one personalised guidance on the admission and scholarship process. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Germany PhD Stipend

What is the PhD student salary in Germany after tax?

Usually, student stipend in Germany is tax-free when it is awarded from public sources like public universities or government scholarships. However, if you are doing internships at laboratories and private institutions, the average PhD student salary in Germany after tax is about 24,500 EUR per year (INR 19,53,189 per year approximately).

How can I work in Germany after PhD?

In order to work in Germany after your PhD, you will require a residence permit and a German work visa/employment permit. To apply for a Blue Card or work permit, you must have a job offer of 45,000 EUR/year (INR 35,87,490 approximately) before taxes.

Does the average PhD stipend in Germany increase?

The average PhD stipend in Germany per month is 2500 EUR (INR 99,305 approximately). The PhD fellowship stipend will be increased at the start of every academic year. 

What are the top academic jobs in Germany after a PhD?

The top academic jobs in Germany after PhD are that of professors, lecturers, scientists and researchers. The average PhD stipend in Germany for these jobs is between 60,000 EUR to 75,000 EUR per year (INR 47,83,320 to INR 59,79,150 approximately) depending on the candidate’s experience.

What are the top non-academic jobs in Germany after a PhD?

The top non- academic jobs in Germany after PhD are that of an actuary, data analyst, operation analyst, business analyst and product developer. The average PhD stipend in Germany for these jobs is between 68,000 EUR to 80,000 EUR per year (INR 54,21,096 to INR 63,77,760 approximately).

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phd candidate salaries in germany

Calculated on the basis of a full-time position, doctoral students receive between 46,000 and 56,000 euros gross per year, depending on how much experience the doctoral student already has. It should be noted that an employment contract often only covers 50% of the positions.

• The tariff structure for the salary of scientists and scholars in Germany is very transparent. If a doctoral student is a research assistant at a state university or research institution, he/she is automatically a public sector employee and his/her salary is therefore regulated by a collective agreement.
• Depending on the institution, this is either the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector (TVöD) or the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Länder (TV-L). These collective agreements are renegotiated every one or two years.
• All state universities, universities of applied sciences and research institutes thus pay comparable wages. As government-funded research organisations, the Max Planck Society, the Fraunhofer Society and the Helmholtz Association also follow the regulations of the collective agreement for the public sector with regard to employment, pay and social benefits.
• Doctoral students are classified in the lowest salary group E13 for scientists. Since salary group 13 has a very wide range (from newly started doctoral students to experienced postdocs), the salary groups are differentiated according to experience levels. Since 2018, all public sector wage agreements have differentiated between six experience levels, each with increasing duration.
• Doctoral students starting at experience level 1 should therefore make sure that their contract runs for at least 12 months, as employment contracts of less than one year are not considered relevant professional experience. In the event of a new position, you will be re-grouped in experience level 1, regardless of the length of time you have already worked at that level. This is true even if the change of contract is made seamlessly at the same institution. The problem, however, is that employment contracts at universities are often limited to a very short term. Around half of the contracts of academic staff in the doctoral phase are shorter than 12 months.
• The Federal Report on Young Academics and Scientists of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of 2017 points out that the average monthly net income of doctoral students is 1,261 euros per month. This is at the lowest end of the official standard salaries.

Salaries of doctoral students in Euro per month according to collective agreements, July 2020 the salaries are based on 100% employment

Source: academics.de, public service.info

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Christian Bettstetter

Professor, institute of networked and embedded systems, klagenfurt, “what salary can i expect in industry after my phd”.

For many young researchers, the PhD graduation marks the end of an era of standardized salaries. They now have to negotiate their salary when entering the industry or moving to a non-university research organization. Below are some tips on how to approach these negotiations. An Austrian-German perspective.

By Christian Bettstetter. Published in May 2016.

D octoral students in electrical and computer engineering often ask me what salary to expect in the industry after graduation. “From 45.000 € to 75.000 € gross per year in Austria or Germany” could be an answer, but this is a vague statement that does not help much. In fact, there is no general answer to this question, as the salary depends on many factors, such as personal profile, position, company type, the current situation in the job market, and company location. Let me thus redefine the above question and give some hints for negotiating a salary and other factors to consider. These hints are from an Austrian-German perspective, but many of them are of general validity.

“What salary should I propose?”

Many companies do not give room for salary negotiations but have their fixed rates for university graduates. Sometimes, however, the human resources department asks applicants about their salary expectations . If this happens, you should be well prepared: have a clear idea about your expectations and give a reasonable, transparent, and understandable argumentation.

Different argumentations are possible. One of them is the following:

Your salary suggestion to the company is thus S + M % + B with a brief explanation. Beware of the fact that this line of argumentation works well in some countries but might be inappropriate in others, e.g., in those with low university salaries .

Besides this, you might want to consider the following additional monetary aspects in order to tune your calculations, but do not overemphasize them as an entrant:

“Is my salary good?”

So let’s assume you get an offer with an annual gross salary of 60.000 €. Is this a good salary in that country or not? You can ask public databases: According to an income pyramid by a tax consultant , this salary will put you in the top 10 % in Austria. That’s good, isn’t it?

Is it an excellent salary? No. “But why not? I studied for ten years, got a bachelor, a master, a PhD; I published five journal articles and spent six months at MIT. I’m an expert on the job they offer. Why don’t they pay more?” Relax! For most people in the industry, you are a freshman with no “real” work experience. You will need training, have to socialize and integrate, gain experience, and prove your skills and knowledge. The company first has to invest in you. It will take some time — maybe several years — before you become profitable.

Let me give an example: With an annual gross salary of 60.000 €, the salary cost for an Austrian company is at least 78.500 € in 2016. If you add the costs for your office space, hardware and software, management and administrative overheads of at least 30 %, you will cost about 100.000 € at minimum per year. This is about 450 € per day in Austria, not considering days of absence due to sickness or other reasons. Are you worth more than 450 € per day? If yes, fine, then you have an argument to ask for a higher salary. Or start your own company.

“Is salary important?”

A hackneyed statement is that “salary is not so important.” Some people may agree and others not — it basically depends on your personal situation, lifestyle, and attitude. But one thing should be clear: Never choose your job based solely on monetary aspects! Choose it mainly based on the job description and, even more important, based on your personal impression during the job interview — the impression you get about your future colleagues and boss. Are you on the same wavelength? Do you fit into the team? Do you enrich the team? Do they enrich you? Will you be able to develop further in this job? Will you learn something new?

Besides job issues, be sure that you want to live in that city: compare the quality of living, including climate, political system, leisure and cultural activities, safety, transport, acceptance of human rights and minorities, distance to friends and family. Ask yourself how well these issues match your current wishes and plans for the future, maybe including family planning.

The decision in favor or against a certain job offer is a very individual decision, which will affect your future in many ways. I hope the above is of use in your decision-making process.

Update from late 2019: The figures mentioned in this article are from early 2016. During the last four years, there has been strong competition in Austria and Germany for the best people in engineering and computer science, which has led to a significant rise in the industry’s salaries for PhD graduates, according to my experience with doctoral graduates from my group.

This article is the most popular post on my Website. It was also published at Medium , where you can leave comments and show whether you appreciate my story.

Master, PhD and Postdoc Scholarships

Salary of PhD and Postdoc in Germany

In Germany, what can you expect to earn as a PhD or Postdoc? Interested in knowing the salary of a PhD or Postdoc in Germany? Did you receive an offer for TV-L E13 (75%)? Are you a Postdoc in TV-L E13 and would like to know deductions? Perhaps, a German University or Research Centre has offered you a PhD or Postdoc contract, but you’re not sure what TV-L E13 (50%), TV-L E13 (75%), or TV-L E13 (100%) mean? In this post, we describe which parameters determine the PhD and Postdoc salary in Germany.

We also make sure to explain so many terms (in German) about this subject. Therefore, this post is helpful for both new or senior PhD students and Postdocs!

Increasing PhD Stipend 2023-2024 in UK

In Germany , similar to other European countries, Universities hire PhD students, and postdocs are on a fixed-term contract. There is no cap on the length of the work contract and can be as short as three months up to three years. In exceptional cases, the employment contract of Postdocs can be five years. German Universities offer TV-L E13 to both PhD students and postdocs. However, the contract level (Stufe) and working hours (Arbeitszeite) are different which we explain in the following section. The typical work contract of PhD students is TV-L E13 (75%) while postdocs are on TV-L E13 (100%). In rare cases, the host institute can offer TV-L E14 to a postdoc.

• Available Fully Funded PhD Positions in Germany
• Available Postdoc Positions in Germany

The PhD and Postdoc salary in Germany is based on “Tarifvertrag für den Öffentlichen Dienst der Länder (TV-L)”. TVL translates to English as “the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the states”. So as a PhD student Postdoc or even professor, your salary will be defined in various Remuneration (Entgelt (E)) of TVL which will be explained in the next section.

What is Entgelt (remuneration/payment)?

Entgelt (remuneration) is the level of payment set by the employer. It reflects the formal duties of the job and the level of competencies that the employee in that group has. For instance, Entgelt 13 to 15 (TV-L E13-15) is for employees with academic higher education. Entgelt 9 to 12 (TV-L E9-12) is for those employees with a completed technical college education. Entgelt 5 to 8 (TV-L E5-8) is for workers who have vocational training. As an alternative to a funded PhD position, you can also apply for DAAD doctoral scholarship. The following video explains the 10 reasons why you should do your PhD in Germany in 2023.

How much is the net salary of PhD students and postdocs in Germany?

It is not an easy question to answer in a few words. In this post, we try to explain the first meaning of each term of the contract and taxing system in Germany. So at the end of this post, you will be able to find out how much your net salary (take-home money) will be.

Arebitszeit (working hours/ hours of work) of PhD students and Postdocs in Germany

The most important factor which determines the take-home money is Arbeitszeit (working hours). For PhD students, this value generally is either 50%, 67%, 75%, or in exceptional cases 100%. The Germans call these terms “halben Stelle” (half-appointment), “dreiviertel Stelle” (three-quarter appointment) and “vollen Stelle” (full-appointment), respectively. This number corresponds to the percentage of the working hours of the employees in comparison to the required working hours of a full-time employee. So, PhD students with a 50% working hours contract are being paid half of the salary of a full employee in the same Engelt group. Note that despite being employed on a half-term contract, the working expectation is similar to the full-time employee’s!

The postdocs are generally on full appointment (vollen Stelle) corresponding to TV-L E13 100%. The common practice is the person with a 50% working contract will have fewer teaching assistant duties than a 100% one. That means, your supervisor (Doktorvater in German) will load you with fewer jobs such as Tutoring, Lab instructor or co-supervision of undergraduate students than other colleagues with 100% contract. 

Lohnsteuerklasse (Wage Tax Class) of PhD students and Postdocs in Germany

The second factor which largely influences your net salary is “Lohnsteuerklasse” which means the level or grade of your tax in English. Lohnsteuerklasse is indeed the category of salary tax which is a number from “I” to “VI”. The taxing authority assigns you to certain Lohnsteuerklasse based on your circumstances.

A married PhD student or Postdoc will be on Lohnsteuerklasse IV, or V provided that his/her partner is on a paid-working contract. However, if your partner is not working, then you can enjoy Lohnsteuerklasse III. In the very last part of this post, you can see some example calculations of net salary for people with different tax grades to understand the differences. 

What is “Stufe” in salary calculation?

Stufe is a German word that means level or grade. In salary calculation, it reflects the experience of the employees. A fresh PhD student will be in Stufe 1, after finishing the first year, you will promote them to Stufe 2. If your PhD takes more than three years, from the start of the fourth year, your Stufe will be 3. The Stufe 4 is for a person with more than 6 years of experience under TVL.

In short, a Postdoc who has lived and worked in German Universities as a PhD student, is generally placed on Stufe 3 at the start. However, Postdocs from abroad (outside of Germany) will be on either Stufe 1 or 2 irrespective of their earlier experiences. If you are an experienced Postdoc, you can discuss that with your employer (HR of the university) before signing your contract. Note that there is a big difference between Stufe 1 and 3. Hence, do not miss this opportunity to get paid better (see the tables at the bottom of the post).

The following video is a MUST-watch if you are planning to do your PhD in Germany. It covers information such as regulations, living expenses, salary and tax, benefits and allowances among others:

Using an online calculator for net salary calculation

Having known the meaning of Lohnsteuerklasse and stufe, you can precisely calculate your net salary. In the following video, you can find step-by-step guidance on how to calculate your take-home money. For doing that, you should visit the following “ Offentlicher Dienst website ” and enter the numbers based on the discussion above (as stands by  September 2020 ). As the website is in only German, watching the video below can make your job easier!

When you enter your data (watch the video above), click “brechnen” (calculate) at the bottom of the page, and then you can see your net salary details. On the page which appears (look at the following picture as an example), at the very bottom there is a table in which you can find “Grundgehalt” (Basic salary), “Brutto gesamt” (totally gross) as well as “Netto gesamt” (total net). Your monthly net salary would be the number that appears in front of “netto gesamt” in green (highlighted). At the same time, you can see how much would be your salary if you were promoted to Stufe 2, 3 and so on in the next columns of the tables.

Example: PhD student with contract TV-L E13 (75%)

Let us go through one calculation. For instance, assume you are a PhD student who starts working at a German University. Your contract is 75% (Arbeitszeit) and you are single. So, you have to fill the Arbeitszeit section with 75 and select Lohnsteurklasse I and choose Stufe 1.

After clicking “brechnen” (calculate), the following page appears.

In this particular case, the monthly gross salary is 3001.70 Euro/month while the net salary is 1893.58 Euro/month (both are highlighted in Green at the bottom of the picture. In the second column from the right, the following information is detailed:

Lohnsteure (Income tax) of Klasse I (class I): 406.50 €

Solidaritätszuschlag (Solidarity surcharge): 22.35 €

Sozialvers. Brutto (Natioanl/Social Insurance pre-tax):

Krankenversicherung (Health Insurance): 241.86 €

Pflegeversicherung (Nursing Care Insurance): 55.39 €

Rentenversicherung (Pension Fund): 290.23 €

Arbeitslosenvers. (Unemployment Insurance): 37.45 €

Z-Vers. VBL:  54.33 €

Z-Vers. stands for “Zusatzversorgung des öffentlichen Dienstes” is compulsory insurance. VBLklassik ensures that you receive a company pension in addition to the statutory pension. The rest of the column is exactly a similar calculation for a year!

However, if you are married and your partner is not on a paid job, you can change your tax grade (Lohnsteuerklasse) to III. Let’s see how does it affect your net income (take-home money).

As you can see in the picture above, your net income becomes 2162.10 Euro per month which is 268.52 Euro per month more than a person in tax-class I!

Example: PhD student with contract TV-L E13 (50%)

In this example, we consider a single PhD student (Lohsteuerklasse I) with TV-L E13 (50%). As explained in the previous section, upon entering the corresponding values to the calculator, you will see a page as shown below.

You can see the meaning of the terms in the previous sub-heading. the monthly gross salary is 2001.13 € while the net salary is 1370.49 €  (both are highlighted in Green at the bottom of the picture.

However, a married student whose/her partner is not on a paid job can take home more as shown in the following picture.

As you can see in the picture above, your net income becomes 1553.26 Euro per month which is 182.77 Euro per month more than a person in tax-class I!

Example: PhD student with contract TV-L E13 (100%)

Let’s look at the example of a PhD student with a TV-L E13 (100%) contract. The results are as follows:

In this case, the gross (before-tax) and net (after-tax) salaries are 4002.26 and 2379.31 Euro per month, respectively.

Again, a married student whose/her partner is not working can take home more by paying less tax (see image below).

So, for a married employee with TV-L E13 (100%) which is on Lohnsteuerklasse III, the gross (before-tax) and net (after-tax) salary are 4002.26 and 2702.31 Euro per month, respectively. Note that you can see the corresponding salary for the same contract when your “stuff” rises to 2, 3, 4 or 5.

Example: Postdoc with contract TV-L E13 (100%)

As explained earlier, if your employee put you on “stufe” 1, your net salary is exactly as the one shown above. However, if you are on “Stufe” 2, 3 or 4, your salary becomes much higher. The picture below shows the salary of a Postdoc with TV-L E13 (100%) on Lohnsteuerklasse I.

Here, the before-tax monthly salary is 4560.37 Euro whereas the after-tax money is 2642.82 Euro. For the same person but on Lohnsteuerklasse III (married postdoc whose partner is not working), the picture below shows the salary details.

In this case, the monthly net salary (after tax) is 3009.34 Euro. This is almost 358 Euro more than the same postdoc but on Lohnsteuerklasse I.

Hope that will help you to understand all you need to know about PhD students and Postdocs’ salaries in Germany in 2023.

Available Fully Funded PhD and Postdocs in Germany

Below are other German universities with academic positions available (PhD and Postdoc:

• Fully Funded Master, PhD and Postdocs at Max Planck Institutes
• Available Fully Funded PhD and Postdoc Positions at University of Stuttgart
• Fully funded PhD and Postdoc Position at the University of Hamburg
• EU Funding of PhD and Academics in Germany
• Fully Funded Master, PhD and Postdocs at Helmholtz Centers
• Fully funded PhD and Postdoc Positions at the Berlin Institute of Technology
• Fully funded PhD and Postdoc Positions at the Aachen University (RWTH)
• Fully Funded PhD and Postdoc Positions at the Technical University of Munich
• Fully Funded PhD and Postdoc Positions at the University of Cologne
• Fully Funded PhD and Postdoc Positions at University Bremen (univ Bremen)
• Fully funded PhD and Postdocs at Tuebingen University
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) PhD and Research Vacancie
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) PhD Jobs
• Available Fully Funded PhD and Postdocs at Freiburg University
• Available PhD and Postdoc Vacancies at Free University of Berlin

Interested in discovering the salary figures for PhD and postdoctoral positions in Europe?:

• PhD Salary in Denmark
• Postdoc Salary in Denmark
• Salary of a PhD student and Postdoc in Norway
• PhD Salary in Switzerland
• Salary ladder for PhD students in Sweden
• Salary of PhD student and Postdoc in Germany
• Salary of PhD and Postdoc in Ireland
• Salary of Postdocs in France
• Salary of PhD student and Postdoc in the UK
• Professors’ salary in the UK
• Salary of PhD student and Postdoc in the Netherlands
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• Salary of Marie-curie postdoctoral fellowship
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Fully Funded PhD Positions with Salary

• Germany – Fully Funded PhD
• Switzerland – Fully Funded PhD
• Denmark – Fully Funded PhD
• UK – Fully Funded PhD
• Sweden – Fully Funded PhD
• Finland – Fully Funded PhD
• Netherlands – Fully Funded PhD
• Norway – Fully Funded PhD
• Belgium – Fully Funded PhD
• Austria – Fully Funded PhD
• Australia – Fully Funded PhD
• France – Fully Funded PhD
• New Zealand – Fully Funded PhD
• Canada – Fully Funded PhD
• USA – Fully Funded PhD
• Luxembourg – Fully Funded PhD
• Spain – Fully Funded PhD
• Italy – Fully Funded PhD
• Iceland -Fully Funded PhD

We will update all different types of academic positions, so if you’re looking for a position, think about checking out our Home Page and our Academic Jobs page . You can also follow us on Facebook to be the first to know when we post any new vacancies. But if you are not a fan of reading text, and instead prefer to watch, join our PhD and Postdoc-related videos on our Youtube Channel .

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Academia or industry? The time after your PhD

After your PhD you have different opportunities. Masoud shares his thoughts with us.

As an international PhD student, if you are interested in staying in Germany, you will be curious about job opportunities after your studies. The variety of job or research positions will be different for different studies and majors but in this article, I will share my thoughts and findings which I am dealing with right now. These are general thoughts about job market after obtaining PhD degree, engineering job opportunities and type of job opportunities. 

There is a main difference between having PhD degree compared to other university degrees (master and bachelor’s degree) and that is the opportunity of working mainly as a researcher in academia or research institutes. This makes a big difference when you as a PhD graduate looking for a job. Although, it will open a wide range of positions for you to work as a researcher and you will have more options in the job market, it will also make it difficult if you have not decided by that time which direction you want to pursue for your career.  

Industry jobs offer better conditions

Research jobs are generally appealing for most PhD students but why do most PhD graduates choose to go to industry? This can be simply because industry jobs are much more than research positions and also some industry jobs offer better conditions for their employees. This can be a permanent contract which is the main difference between industry contracts and research-based contracts. Research based (post-doc or fixed term researcher position) contracts are generally two or three years contracts with a possibility to extend. This Extension can continue until the funding is available from university or external funding organizations for research.

 It is obvious that here in Germany there are certain majors that graduates from these majors have more options than others and having more options becomes important when employers want to discuss the salary. The more options you have, the more you can propose your salary. Now, this can be the question, what is the pay scale and how much is the salary for a PhD postgraduate?

Well, as a general rule, the higher the university degree and qualifications you have got, the higher the salary will be. As a comparison, table 1 shows median and average of the starting salaries for three university degrees (source: gehalt.de).  But this difference is not uniform among different subjects. Table 2 shows that highest salaries are in computer science and engineering and lowest salaries are for humanities scientists and economy scientists.

Salary based on university degree

Source: website gehalt.de [DE]

Salary based on the subject

Maybe this question will be the biggest challenge after the PhD thesis you will be faced with! On one side, there is a lucrative job market for PhDs (depending on the subject) which can lead to management and leading positions in the industry and on the other side there is this dream of working as a researcher and ultimately, becoming a professor and conducting the research independently. Many PhD post graduates choose to go to the industry side because of a higher income salary in the beginning and getting a permanent contract after a trial period of about six months.

Federal Report Young Scientists 2021

The Federal Report Young Scientists 2021 [DE] on the percentage of the PhD postgraduates shows that most of doctorates leave the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) or non-university research facilities in the post-doc phase.

From 61.3 percent of the researchers or PhD students from HEIs and non- university research institutes, only 43.5 percent remain in the PhD studies and make it to the end and get their PhD degree (Figure 1). After getting the degree, this 61.3 percent percentage drops drastically within a couple of years to only 22 percent for the graduates who want to stay in HEIs and non- university research institutes. On the other hand, researchers from clinics and medical practices, private sectors and other public services, are willing to get PhD degree and keep going in their positions. The continues rising of the private sector graph, justifies the falling graph of HEIs and non- university research institutes and means that there is a continuous and big movement from academia to industry. Willingness to move to the private sector and industry doubles from 20.3 by the time of graduating to 44.5 percent over the course of ten years. This willingness to industry or any private sectors may be stemmed from the fact that approximately nine out of ten young academics are employed on a temporary basis.

How about the overall job market for doctorates in general or waiting time for PhD postgraduates to find full-time employment?

According to the Integrated Employment Biographies published by the Institute for Employment Research, doctorate holders have a very low unemployment rate, which seldom exceeds 2%. This means that those with a doctorate are almost entirely employed. Furthermore, the statistics demonstrate that one year after finishing their PhD, around four fifths of doctorate holders are employed full-time. According to the findings, doctorate holders have outstanding job chances in the job market.

In conclusion, there is no concrete answer that you should choose which path for your future or career. Everybody has his or her own preferences and unique abilities but based on the reports and statistics, there are some uncertainties in terms of duration of contract and future of staying in academia for doctorates than in industry. In addition, salaries can be higher, at least for certain subjects in industry for the beginning years or better than the post-doc phase.

The question is why a lot of post graduates prefer to stay in research in academia or they resist to move into industry? One possible answer can be the path back to the academia will be much more difficult specially if one cannot keep up with doing research and publishing in journals. Taking into the account that becoming a professor is a long way, and the average age of becoming professor is 41, most of the doctorates are not thinking to come back to academia once they are established their career in industry and got a permanent job contract.

March 14, 2022 4:21:33 PM

Dear Darko, It will take some time to find a job in Germany in the fields that are not extremely in demand (i.e. software, IT, mechanical and electrical engineering, …). Here you can find the jobs in demand according to the Deutschland.de. It will be easier to get a response if the job requirements and your qualifications are matching very well. You can use Linkedin’s job search and let it notify you for the similar job positions once they are posted. Link: https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/business/jobs-in-demand-in-germany-and-job-seeking-tips

March 14, 2022 2:06:27 PM

Dear Behrouz, I would recommend you to search in different job searching platforms with the "PhD position", "doctoral candidate", "research associate" searching keywords in English and "wissenschaftlicher mitarbeiter", "Doktorand" or "promotion stellenangebote" searching keywords in German. Some of the famous platforms are: www.academics.de, www.xing.com, and website from www.daad.de with "PhDGermany Database" section (https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/promotion/phd/en/13306-phdgermany-database/) for detailed information about the positions. PhD position offers and advertisements are not limited only for these websites but these can be good searching platforms for you to start off.

January 30, 2022 10:29:21 AM

I live in Stuttgart and interested in a PhD subject. How should I start? How should I find an opportunity. I will be appreciated if you guide me.

January 28, 2022 11:01:45 AM Dear Masoud, Could you, please, propose some jobs for the man of my qualifications? Your proposal would be highly appreciated. Not actively applying but I can say that I have had difficulties to find a job in Germany for months. Something, definitely, discourages employers, even, from replying to my emails. P.S: Please, look at my LinkedIn-profile and give me an advice where to apply.

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How can I remain in Germany after my doctoral studies as an eligible worker?

Being a foreign doctoral postgraduate from a German university , there is a common thing if your interest is to remain in the country to jump into a qualification-related job. There is no oddity there as Germany rests as a world-attraction to work and live in, not only to you, but to many more professionals, as of its extensive advantageous job opportunities and high quality of life. Well, that is why Germany is considered the biggest and the most prosperous nation amongst other EU countries.

Remaining in Germany after finishing your doctoral studies , you can largely benefit from a wide-ranging job opportunities, as the quality of your doctoral degree received makes you a competitive candidate for working in a university, non-university research institution or industry. What is more, your chances to have a profitable employment in the global labor market, as a postgraduate doctoral candidate from a German university are incalculable, being aware of the global high reputation of Germany in the world as regards of education in research and innovation.

On the other hand, as an alternative option for you to remain in Germany, is to advance your research activity with a postdoctoral research, something that attracts many other foreigners who finish their doctoral studies in Germany.

Legitimacy of postdoctoral work as a foreigner

There are decent academic and research opportunities for the qualified workers to get a place in the German labor market. As you are already in Germany after finishing your doctoral studies and willing to remain there to get hired at a job matching your education, then make sure you do not forget that Germany welcomes highly qualified worker as you. On the other hand, if you were lucky enough to already have a signed sound work contract related to your qualification then, enjoy your time, because you are on the right way to get the proper eligibility for staying and working there.

Well, you should not be worried anymore! You are allowed to work in Germany as a postgraduate candidate from doctoral studies. You made the right choice having a doctorate in Germany! Congrats and enjoy the new waves of opportunities in your career!

Residence and work permit

Either you have in hand a job offer or not, if you want to remain in Germany after your doctoral studies, you surely will need the proper permit to do so. Involving in an economic activity such as getting a job lacking the proper entitlement – the residence and work permit, you will immediately be deported in the country of origin and against your employer sanctions and other penalty measures will apply.

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If you have signed a work contract while in Germany

If you have there just signed the contract of employment or have a realistic business plan yourself, then surely there are good chances for you to apply and get the proper entitlement to stay and involve into the economic activity of Germany.

Residence and work permit as a researcher

As a highly qualified person, as a researcher – according to the Residence Act, Section 19, you can require a residence and work permit without the consent of the German Federal Employment Agency.

To get the residence and work permit as a researcher, you must:

• Prove having a sound employment contract (i.e. Researcher, academic position, etc.) – with no minimum incomes required,
• Have a secured livelihood.

There is a possibility to change this permit into a permanent residence title.

The EU Blue Card permit as a highly qualified worker

Another option for you is to get the EU Blue Card – also a special residence and work permit for foreign qualified workers.

To get the EU Blue Card you must apply to the following documents:

• The doctoral degree you received in Germany,
• The sound work contract or offer related to your qualification with a minimum salary of 48.800 EUR.

Benefits of EU Blue Card:

• There is a possibility to be changed into a settlement permit after 33 months of highly-qualified employment record and prove a German language proficiency of level B1,
• If the language proficiency can be proved earlier, the settlement permit can be issued after only 21 months of such record.

For more information please click: How to get EU Blue Card for Germany?

Residence and work permit as self –employed research

If your alternative way to involve into the economic activity of the Germany is pumping into your own research-related business, then this is also another optional opportunity to get the residence and work permit.

To get the residence and work permit in such case you must prove:

• Having a doctoral degree received in Germany,
• There is a need for this specific economic activity in Germany,
• Financial coverage for the business plan related to the research activity.
• It is given for a maximum three years,
• After three years of a proven successful activity, secured livelihood you can get a settlement permit.  

If you want to seek for a job while in Germany

There is also a possibility for you to not immediately return after your graduation, but seek for a job for a certain period. For that, you will need to apply for the temporary residence permit. The time you can receive in your disposition from the residence permit for the purpose of job-seeking is up to 12 months after graduation. This residence permit allows you to work during this period in a job that needs no special qualification, in order to cover your living costs during the job-seeking period.

Once you get a gainful employment contract related to your qualification, you must immediately apply for one of the aforementioned residence and work entitlements. There is absolutely no chance for you to get involved in the economic activity of the country without the proper entitlement.

Employment and research prospect

Being a doctoral graduate, is a passport giving you better chances of employment within the German labor market. There are lots of thrilling opportunities of employment for you as a qualified professional, such as in academia, research institutions or in industry. Let us see one by one what are the positions typically offered for the doctoral graduates.

Becoming a university professor

There is an opportunity for you to become a professor in a university after finishing your doctoral studies. To be so, you need to become “Berufungsfähigkeit” or eligible professor. Becoming a professor, your research and teaching experience gained during doctoral studies at university, non-university and even industry can help you in the future. Your scientific research publications you have made during your studies are also another factor supporting you on your way to become a professor. If you possess these qualities you will be eligible to become a junior professor, managing position in research group or industry.

To become a university professor you must have:

• Completed a doctoral degree of an excellent achievement,
• Have pedagogical skills,
• Have extracurricular academic achievement,
• Have been enrolled in the habilitation process (capacity building) and passed the examination that examines the candidates ability to become a professor of the specific academic subject,
• Have published several scientific and research papers in international scientific peer-reviewed journals.

Forms of involve in the teaching process in a university are the followings:

• Junior professor
• Leader of a research group
• Work position in industry

Becoming a postdoctoral researcher or scientist

If your intentions are to continue your research, then you have the possibility to go through the postdoctoral studies. The postdoctoral education is a form where you engage in research activities as well as in a job or other scientific and research activities at university, non-university research institution or in a research-oriented company.

There are several scholarships offered for those interested to do a postdoctoral research in Germany, such as the German Research Foundation (DFG) which gets you in a position to work for two years in a research project in cooperation with an academic institution.

Postdoctoral research in university

Working on a research project after studies is amongst popular forms of postdoctoral engagements of students. Typically the candidate engages in a research project for a certain period in order to advance its academic capacity.

The postdoctoral job you can get into a university can vary, such as as a research assistant, research associate or funded project by a third party.

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PhD in Germany: Universities, Fees, Application & More!

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From an aspirant to a scholar

Germany has become the most sought-after destination to pursue a PhD given the affordability, style of living and, of course, a plethora of job opportunities. To help you make an informed decision, we have curated a complete guide on PhD in Germany for international students that talks about top universities, costs, courses, student life and many more aspects! 

Why Study PhD in Germany?

Germany is popularly known for boasting a rich academic tradition and hosts several reputed universities. With renowned research institutions, efficient and top-notch education systems, along with a vibrant academic community, it offers a conducive environment for studying PhD in Germany. Here are some of the major reasons why students should consider pursuing PhD programs in Germany for international students.

1. Quality of Education

Germany has emerged as a well-reputed university that is popular globally. German universities have a long tradition of contributing to excellent research and Nobel laureates to the rest of the world. The German universities award around 5,800 doctoral degrees every year to international scholars.

2. Academic Eligibility

To get admission for PhD in Germany, it is not mandatory to have a master’s degree. Students who possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field can also apply for PhD programs in Germany. However, the students must have an excellent academic record.

3. Fully Funded PhD Programs

The PhD programs in Germany are fully funded by the German government. This, in turn, makes studying for a PhD in Germany free of cost.

4. Structured Programs

The PhD programs in Germany are well-structured and focused and offer a combination of coursework, research and practical experience. The PhD courses in Germany are usually 3-6 years long, depending on the specialisation.

5. Affordability

To bear the cost of living, study materials, etc, there are plenty of funding options available to support the study PhD in Germany. The most popular among them is the DAAD scholarship, which offers scholarships to 4000+ students every year.

Types of PhD in Germany

PhD in Germany is classified into two types of doctorates. After taking into consideration many aspects like qualifications, area of research, discipline, etc, students can choose which path of PhD they would like to pursue.

1. Individual Doctorate

The Individual Doctorate is the traditional path that is followed by more than three-quarters of all doctoral students in Germany. In an Individual doctorate, the research is carried out independently by the student alone under the supervision of one professor. The traditional form of PhD in Germany offers great flexibility but also demands a high percentage of initiative and responsibility. The Individual doctorate can be approximately 5-6 years long. However, the duration also depends on the student’s schedule or the work contract duration.

2. Structured PhD Programs

Distinctive to the Individual Doctorate, the researcher is supervised by a team and not just one professor. The student is also required to attend courses, lectures and seminars along with other doctoral students. Usually these structured PhD programmes are advertised publicly and also feature grants or paid doctoral programs.

Students can conduct their research at:

1. University 2. Non-University Research Institute 3. Industry

Don't let accommodation concerns distract you from pursuing your PhD dreams in Germany!

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Top PhD Courses in Germany

One can choose from an array of courses and specialisations to study PhD in Germany. We have listed some of the popular ones below.

1. Agricultural Science 2. Business Administration 3. Economics 4. Law 5. Social Sciences 6. Biology 7. Philosophy

Top Universities for PhD in Germany

It is very important to finalise the university you want to pursue a PhD from. Factors like the fees, faculties, curriculums and the quality of education play a crucial role in such cases. To guide you in picking the ideal university, here is a list of universities along with the fees.

Top Non-University Research Institutes for PhD in Germany

Students can obtain a PhD in Germany by conducting their research at a non-university research institute. These institutes do not have the right to award a PhD, but they collaborate with universities for the same. The non-university research institutes offer scholarships and may also offer employment contracts, which are usually fixed-term. Here are some of the top Top Non-University Research Institutes for PhD in Germany.

1. Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft 2. Helmholtz Association 3. Leibniz Association  4. Max Planck Society  

Admission Requirements and Eligibility Criteria

The admission requirements usually vary depending on the university and specialisation. However, some requirements like the German student visa , transcripts etc need to be fulfilled for admission to a majority of universities. 

1. German Proficiency Proof: TestDaf Level 4 2. English Proficiency Proof: IELTS 7.0 (6.5 in each band), TOEFL-iBT score between 80-100 3. GPA of 2.5 or an overall grade of B+ 4. German Student Visa 5. Overall GRE score of 160 or more  6. A degree(Diploma, Magister or Master’s) from a recognised university with an above-average aggregate score.

Application Process

For Structured PhD: The student must apply directly to the faculty and the process will be carried out through online portals.

For Traditional PhD: The applicant has to reach out to the prospective supervisor. When the supervisor agrees to work with you, they will proceed with your request to the relevant faculty. After this, the department will request a few documents that we have mentioned below.

Documents Required

The students are required to submit a few documents while registration. Make sure to keep all of the documents mentioned ready while applying for a PhD in Germany.

1. Certified copies of official transcripts 2. A letter of motivation and 2 letters of recommendation 3. English/German proficiency certificates 4. An updated resume 5. Copy of the applicant’s identification document

PhD Scholarships in Germany 

Even if the PhD programs in Germany are fully funded, there are still a few costs that the students are required to pay. This is why it is advisable to look for scholarships in Germany which provide financial assistance! Here are some of the top scholarships for PhD in Germany for international students, along with the award amount.

1. TUM GS Bridge Financing Grant: €1,000/month + €150 for child and family support. 2. Heinrich Boll Scholarship: €934 3. Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship: €30,000 4. University of Goettingen Funding: €1,100 - €1,400 or employment contract 5. DAAD Scholarships: €1,200/month 6. Deutschland Stipendium National Scholarship Programme: €300 7. Universität Hamburg Merit Scholarships: €1,000/month  8. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships: €1,200/month 

To increase your chances of winning the scholarship, take a look at the ultimate guide to writing a cover letter ! 

Cost of Living

Germany offers an affordable cost of living compared to other countries. Living alone comes with its share of challenges, and managing finances is one of the most challenging factors. In such cases, planning a monthly budget of €1,200 - €1,700/month will be of great help. Here are some of the estimates to help you plan the month.

1. Rent: €625 - €1,700/month 2. Public Transport: €60 - €80/month 3. Groceries: €150 - €170/month 4. Gas & Electricity: €200 - €250/month 5. Phone & Internet: €30 - €35/month 6. Entertainment: €10 - €15/month

Career Prospects & Average Salary for PhD Graduates

After completing the PhD in Germany, the students are exposed to the job market. The salaries the students might earn are dependent on several aspects like job position, the applicant’s skills, experience and industry. Here is a brief list of some job profiles that are offered to PhD graduates in Germany, along with their average annual salaries. Some of these are the highest-paying jobs in Germany for international students !

Pursuing a PhD in Germany for international students opens doors to golden opportunities that allow students to upskill and bag an average salary that ranges from €60,000 - €75,000 per year. The PhD programs in Germany offer expertise in writing thesis and research papers and also train students to conduct deep-rooted research. The German culture , affordability, exposure to the job market and the high quality of education compel students to pursue a doctorate in Germany. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which job profiles can i apply for after pursuing a phd in germany, where can i conduct research to pursue a phd in germany, which are the most popular phd courses in germany for international students, are there any phd scholarships in germany, what is the duration for a phd in germany.

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PhD Stipend in Germany

• Updated on  
• Nov 10, 2022

When it comes to being affordable, Germany is one of the best European countries for PhD stipend and research. Funding is made available with a wide range of options with almost no doctoral fees at public universities. As is evident from the way it takes PhD research particularly seriously, there are a number of established things Germany makes sure of when it comes to the students. These are the basics of PhD Research and PhD Stipend in Germany that everyone should be aware of. Let’s take a look at the below for a better understanding.

This Blog Includes:

Basics of phd in germany, phd funding and phd stipends in germany , phd stipend in germany for international students, application requirements , top universities for phd in germany, job & salary after phd in germany, top recruiters .

We cover the programme length, fees, number of international students present for PhD in Germany, etc; in short, key features.

PhD is accompanied by funding and opportune stipends . The following points expand on the basics of the same:

• PhD funding in Germany is not limited to research conducted in public universities, independent research institutes also provide their own funding to PhD students, being a part of larger collectives. 
• Furthermore, students can also earn a salary on their PhD apprenticeship (PhD stipend); something that financially and morally supports them. 
• Next, it’s important to learn that PhD research is usually not charged in Germany, therefore PhD stipends in Germany are most commonly used for living costs.
• PhD fellowships and scholarships in this country are tax-free.
• Germany helps international students with exclusive awards when it comes to PhD funding. 

As mentioned in point 2 above, the concept of PhD stipend also enables students to separately earn via their salaried apprenticeship. So, the question arises, how about the PhD stipend for international students? Let’s learn.

• The relevance of PhD Stipends in Germany is that it offers great opportunities to PhD students while they are doing their research and working on the PhD programme. Along with the zero cost of PhD in Germany, with options like apprenticeships, you can also earn a living to cover your other expenses, something that contributes to both your experience and growth level. 

Note : If a doctoral student is entering at starting level, they should make sure that their bond runs for at least 1 year. This is because job contracts lasting for less than 1 year are not considered valid professional experience. 

Also Read; Study in Germany: The Guide To Your German Dream!

• Completion of the academic study of a minimum of 8 semesters. The final degree should be equivalent to a German Master’s degree. The good news for outstanding international students is that they can be admitted to a PhD program with a Bachelor’s alone, but for this, you need to complete an entrance examination. 
• While there might be a need for you to prove your English Language Proficiency, like through IELTS or TOEFL ; traditional PhD programs could also check your level of German language fluency.
• Statement from Doctoral Supervisor 
• Academic Transcripts
• Proof of Recognition 
• 2 Academic references 
• Some structured PhD programs conduct interviews , as well. 
• Requirement of Student Visa
• Valid Passport 

Top German Universities 2022 are as follows:

Must Read: Free Universities In Germany For International Students

Once you complete your PhD and have already had experience with PhD stipend in Germany, there are a number of job positions available that can be offered based on that experience, the industry, and job profile. We have listed some of them below:

Germany is one of the top countries to accept and provide PhD students with jobs. So who are some of these recruiters that offer placements after a student has completed PhD, including having received a PhD Stipend in Germany? 

Some of the German recruiters are as follows:

Yes, PhD Stipend in Germany allows PhD students to be paid. 

PhD Stipend in Germany ranges from ₹70,000 to ₹80,000 per month during 4th and 5th year of the program. 

The monthly gross salary of a PhD professor is usually from 5,300 euros to 6,600 euros (INR 4 lakh to 5.3 lakh). 

Yes, PhD in Germany is usually free for all students, except for some other fees that you might have to pay during your study.

This was all about a PhD stipend in Germany. If you want to get into a high-ranked university, you may enlist the assistance of Leverage Edu specialists to assist you with the application process. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.

Sanya Chhabra

A hermit who prefers to stand true to her values of kindness, inclusivity; and reflects the same in her writing. With a degree in literature and multimedia journalism, she's on a forever pursuit to improve. Additionally, she's open to inputs that are not unsolicited. Welcome to her professional writing space, hope you enjoy your time.

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Ph.D. Stipend in Germany: Things you need to know

Table of Contents

All countries provide some form of financial aid to Ph.D. students , but Germany places a premium on doctorate research. The variety of ways you can accomplish a Ph.D. in Germany is reflected in the various forms that German Ph.D. financing might take. The nation’s Ph.D. programs are well-organized and have a practice-oriented curriculum, offering students the chance to study a subject from the ground up.

In Germany, the most searched Ph.D. programs are in mathematics, computer science, physics, economics, and engineering. International students have the freedom to complete their English-language Ph.D. theses and easily transition into their chosen fields of employment. Learn more about Ph.D. scholarships .

Furthermore, conventional academic scholarships and fellowships are frequently used to support doctoral students, but German universities and research institutions also provide salary assistantships for Ph.D. researchers. Doctoral students take between 46,000 and 56,000 EUR gross ( INR 36,61,472 to INR 44,57,444 ) per year based on full-time employment, depending on the amount of prior experience the doctoral student has.

Ph.D. Stipend in Germany for International Students

Internship applications are accepted by foreign students both during and after graduation. You can apply for internships at the university as a research assistant in the lab or a professor’s assistant while enrolled in a degree program. Here, we’ve outlined some key details about the German Ph.D. student stipend:

• German institutions provide a monthly payment to international Ph.D. candidates. In Germany, Ph.D. students receive an annual income of 24,500 EUR (about INR 19,53,189).
• In addition to pursuing a Ph.D., one can work as an intern at public and commercial organizations for an average salary of 500 EUR per month (about INR 39,848 per month).
• Since employment agreements that last less than a year do not count as relevant professional experience, doctoral students with little or no experience should confirm that their bond lasts for at least 12 months.

Job & Salary After Ph.D. in Germany

The salary of a student after earning a Ph.D. is based on a number of things. Industry, years of experience, candidate talents, and job positions are among these crucial considerations. We’ve included a few of the jobs available to Ph.D. graduates in Germany along with their typical yearly salary below:

High-Paying Jobs in Germany

After finishing their Ph.D. program at a prestigious university, overseas students can apply for a number of well-paying employment in Germany.

How to Find a Job After Ph.D. in Germany?

Many Ph.D. graduate students choose to live in Germany’s major cities because of the attractive employment environment. Let’s examine the best cities in the nation for foreign students.

• Jobs in the marketing field are reportedly available in Berlin, the German capital.
• Financial industry hubs include Frankfurt.
• Munich’s car industry is well renowned.

Since there is 400,000+ people  skilled labor shortage in Germany, Ph.D. grads may easily get employment there. Here are some tips for foreign students looking to work in Germany after earning their degree:

1. Open German Job Sites

One of Germany’s major providers of recruitment services is the Federal Employment Agency. It has more than 700 locations around the nation and offers an international student employment platform called “ International Placement Service. ” In order to get matched with a job vacancy, create a profile on their website and include your qualifications.

2. German private job sites

Ph.D. graduates have access to a variety of websites where they can look for specialized employment.

• Academics for openings in the management industry.
• Staufenbiel and Stepstone for graduate employment and internships.
• Students can also look up startups on Jobooh.

3. German Recruitment Companies

The “ German Yellow Pages ,” which features an employment section called “ Arbeitsvermittlung ” dedicated to recruitment agencies, is another resource for international students who have completed their Ph.D. program at German institutions and are looking for work. For international students, recruiting firms can be trusted if they are members of the Federal Employer’s Association of Personnel Service Providers.

4. Newspapers in German

Look through the employment sections in the Sunday editorials of the following newspapers for academic and government positions :

FAZ or Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

It has the largest newspaper readership in 148 countries in addition to Germany. It is a liberal, conservative journal on the center-right.

Süddeutsche Zeitung

It is published in Munich and is one of the biggest daily newspapers in Germany. It is a center-left, liberal-progressive newspaper .

It is printed in Bonn and serves as the Axel Springer publishing company’s main newspaper daily.

Handelsblatt

The Handelsblatt Media Group is the publisher of this business newspaper in German. Handelsblatt Global Edition is the name of the newspaper’s English-language edition .

One of the top 3 nations in the world to accept more than 30,000 students for Ph.D. programs in Germany. The depth of the Ph.D. courses promotes students’ overall growth and prepares them for the workforce. Additionally, this aids German Ph.D. stipend recipients.

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Salary calculator results.

If you are living in Germany, in Berlin , and earning a gross annual salary (Bruttogehalt) of €49,260 , or €4,105 per month, the total amount of taxes and contributions that will be deducted from your salary is €17,119 .

This means that your net income, or salary after tax (Nettogehalt), will be €32,141 per year, €2,678 per month, or €618 per week.

For simplicity, our net salary calculator (Brutto Netto Rechner), has a few assumptions baked in, such as that you're not married and have no dependents. It also assumes that you have no affiliation with a church. If your circumstances are different, you may owe less or possibly more than estimated once all tax credits and deductions are applied.

Tax Breakdown 2024

For a gross annual income of €49,260 , our tax calculator projects a tax liability of €1,427 per month, approximately 35% of your paycheck.

The table below breaks down the taxes and contributions levied on these employment earnings in Berlin, Germany.

What Is the Average Salary in Germany?

The average salary for full-time workers in Germany is €4,105 per month, or €49,260 per year (source: Federal Statistical Office ). If we include bonuses and special pay, gross annual earnings rise to €54,163 . Note that the average gets distorted by high earners, which explains why it is higher than the German median salary of €43,842 ( €3,654 per month).

Germany is known for its high taxes and contributions, so these figures are far from what is actually hitting your bank account. The average German salary of €4,105 per month equates to only €2,678 after taxes, if you are not married and have no dependents. Your monthly paycheck might look different, depending on where you live, so plug your income into our take-home pay calculator to find out!

Germany has the second-highest average salary in the European Union!

What Is the Minimum Wage in Germany?

The national minimum wage in Germany is €12.41 per hour, which works out to a gross salary of €2,151 a month or €25,813 a year, if we consider the typical full-time work week of 40 hours. Exceptions include certain internships, mandatory traineeships, and anyone under age 18 who has not completed vocational training.

Although this is one of the highest rates in the EU, a monthly gross wage of €2,151 translates to a take-home pay of €1,569 if we run the numbers in Berlin using our net salary calculator. In other words, a full-time minimum wage earner in Germany should expect to part with almost €6,981 in taxes and contributions per year.

The minimum wage also affects marginal employment — so-called " mini-jobs " that are generally exempt from income tax and social security contributions. The monthly pay for these part-time jobs is capped at €538 , which translates to an annual mini-job salary limit of €6,456 including any bonuses.

Germany has the second-highest minimum wage in the European Union!

How Is Net Salary Calculated and Paid in Germany?

In Germany, taxes are levied at the federal, state, and sometimes even municipal levels. These include Income Tax, Solidarity Surcharge, and several types of Social Insurance. If you are employed, then all taxes and contributions are automatically deducted from you gross salary by your employer each month, so your paycheck is generally net of tax.

If you run your own business, have multiple professions, or are self-employed, then you have to calculate your own taxes and send in an annual tax return.

Taxes Included in This Salary Calculator

Generally, if you make any income in Germany, then you must pay taxes. The tax system is overseen by the Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern) and a collection of regional tax offices (Finanzämter). Our salary calculator for Germany includes all the major tax expenses except the Church Tax (Kirchensteuer), which is only required if you have an affiliation with a church.

These expenses include:

• Income Tax (Lohnsteuer) : Germany uses a progressive tax rate, which means your rate increases as your income grows. The 2024 rates range from 0% for incomes below €11,604 up to 45% for the highest salaries.
• Solidarity Surcharge (Solidaritätszuschlag) : The Solidarity Surcharge is an additional charge, capped at 5.5% of your income, that goes toward improving infrastructure and the economic situation nationwide.
• Social Insurances : You also must make contributions to various social insurance plans, such as pension (Rentenversicherung), health insurance (Krankenversicherung), unemployment insurance (Arbeitslosenversicherung), and long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung).

For a deeper dive into the German tax system, check out our Income Taxes in Germany guide.

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The information provided on this site is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified specialist such as an accountant or tax advisor for any major financial decisions.

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• Study Abroad

Salary after MS in Germany: Job Opportunities & Salaries in 2024

• German Universities

Updated on 26 March, 2024

upGrad Abroad Team

Upgrad abroad editorial team.

Germany is the fourth most popular study abroad destination among international students, and a Masters of Science degree from a German university is valued by top multinational companies and employers across the globe. Germany is known for its vast research and development in engineering and technology.

German universities are globally ranked and offer research-oriented and practical MS degrees to students. Masters of Science (MS) in Germany attracted over 150,000 students for the year 2020-21. The job market in Germany is prominent for MS degree holders in IT, Engineering, Data Science, and various other specializations. The salary after MS in Germany ranges between €46,000-110,000 (INR 40,11,038 to 95,91,613) yearly. Here are some of the top reasons behind choosing Germany for an MS degree: 

Top Reasons to Pursue MS in Germany

1. Germany has always been at the forefront of cutting-edge research. German universities and centers of research have always worked closely with companies and various organizations in the field of science and technology. It offers ample career opportunities for students with an MS degree. 

2. German universities are top-ranked and prestigious globally. There are five globally ranked universities out of the top global 100 universities that offer many specializations in MS. There are various courses and specifications that students can enroll in, to get lucrative job opportunities. 

3. German universities offer education at low and affordable costs. As compared with other European countries, Germany offers the lowest cost of fees for MS courses and degrees. This helps international students to afford and enjoy excellent education from globally recognized universities. 

4. Germany is one of the most powerful economies in the world and offers huge employment opportunities. The remarkable job market creates immense job prospects for students with an MS degree. The jobs are some of the highest paying ones in the industry, with a perfect work-life balance. The quality of work-life is a good one. Competitive employers hire fresh MS graduates from German universities. 

5. After completion of his/her studies, a student who wants to work in Germany may extend his/her visa for up to 18 months. It will help students attain employment after completion of a degree or course. German universities offer part-time work opportunities that help international students gain a lot of industry exposure and corporate visibility. This opens up the opportunity to get permanent employment after the completion of MS. 

6. With an unemployment rate of only 3.1%, Germany provides an average salary of 76,000-103,000 EUR/year (INR 66,27,743 to 89,82,336 per year) for master graduates.

Important Link: Study in Germany

Top Universities for MS in Germany with Course and Duration

Also Check: Masters in Germany

Top Paying Job Opportunities after MS in Germany

Germany has some of the top tech giants, multinationals, conglomerates, the healthcare industry, and various renowned organizations. These brands produce some of the top-paying salaried jobs for students with an MS degree. There are some specializations, like Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, and the Automotive sectors, that offer the best salary packages to students. 

Find out the details about the best-paying MS jobs in Germany. 

1. Data Scientist

Data Scientist is one of the most prominent and developing job profiles that offer the best salary package in the industry. An MS student can expect a salary of €60,391 (INR 52,65,853)annually. The top IT companies and various industries offer a good number of job vacancies in data science. Data Science degree holders work on data interpretation and data analysis to make the right business decisions and win a competitive edge over other brands. A Data Scientist is a good career to opt for after MS. 

2. Engineers

The world needs good engineers, and so is the case for Germany. The country produces a good number of engineering jobs every year with the best salary packages. MS in Chemical Engineering, MS in Electrical Engineering, MS in Mechanical Engineering, and MS in Automotive Engineering are some of the renowned profiles after MS in Engineering. The average salary after MS in Germany for the engineering sector is 46,000 EUR (INR 40,10,326)  per year. 

3. Project Manager

Job opportunities for project managers are immense in Germany. The average salary is around EUR 55,000 (INR 47,95,456) per year. Top companies and multinationals in Germany offer permanent employment to fresh MS graduates with an IT background. Prior experience will be a plus point for students to grab a better salary than freshers. Project managers focus on particular IT projects in an organization and aim for the best revenue. 

4. IT Manager

Information technology managers are highly in demand by tech giants and IT multinationals. IT managers are a prominent part of the organization, and the average salary is around €76,000 (INR 66,26,449)yearly. The globally recognized brands hire IT managers, throughout the year, and it is one of the most demanding careers in Germany for meritorious, technically sound students from all over the world. 

5. Robotics Research Engineers

It is a high-end professional career opportunity that is available in the robust job market in Germany. There is a great demand for robotic engineers in the gaming industry and manufacturing units as well. Robotics Research Engineers are paid the best in the industry, with an average salary of €103,931 (INR 90,61,756) yearly. The prospects and scope of this field are high and promising for professionals. 

6. Automation engineer

An Automation Engineer is a lucrative career after MS in Robotics. The average salary offered to an MS degree holder is around €123,000 (INR 1,07,24,385)annually. Organizations like Google, NASA, and Siemens offer lucrative jobs all year round for the profile of Automation Engineer. The salary of an Automation Engineer varies with experience and company, but it is always a top-notch job prospect. 

7. Avionic system support engineer

Avionic system support engineer jobs are offered by brands like Google, NASA, Siemens, KION Group, Rockwell Automation, Intuitive Surgical, and Zebra Technologies with an average salar

y of €107,000 (INR 93,28,367)yearly. It is a lucrative career after MS in Robotics, and Germany leads the Robotics sector after Sweden. Students enjoy the ample opportunities offered by the best brands in the country. 

8. Big Data specialist

This profile is offered to students with an MS degree in Data Science. Some of the most prominent companies and brands offer ample job vacancies for Big Data professionals. It is a prominent and high-end job opportunity with an average salary of €69,000 (INR 60,15,489)yearly. Data science is one of the most high-paying sectors and is highly in demand in Germany. German universities produce the best skills and talents that are welcomed by employers all over the world. 

9. Master of Surgery

Medicine has always been the most prominent and lucrative career. A Master of Surgery profile is one of the top-notch and best-paying jobs available in Germany. The average salary starts at €110,000 (INR 95,91,560)yearly and keeps increasing with experience. This field of medicine is one of the most demanding and lucrative careers for MS in Surgery professionals. 

Read More: Study in Germany for free | Job opportunities after MS in Germany  

Working Environment in Germany

Germany offers a gross minimum wage of €9.60 (INR 818.89) each hour. This minimum wage is applicable for international students, ex-pats and even those working overtime. The statutory minimum wage has been introduced by The German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs or BMAS. As a full-time employee working a 40-hour week, you will be earning €1,620 (INR 1,38,188) per month at a minimum level. The average hours per week are lower than in several other global nations. The maximum work hours for a week are 48 hrs. (8 hours a day) as laid down by the German regulations. Most businesses work a 5-day and 40-hour week. The working week may increase to 60 hours in certain scenarios. The Timelines are usually flexible, and regular breaks are also given. The companies usually compensate overtime. 

The tax year runs between 1st January and 31st December. You must get a taxpayer ID number, and the employer will deduct income tax after that. The contribution to your future pension is also deducted from the salary in Germany, and this also includes coverage for unemployment, health, accident insurance, and nursing. The social security framework is also available for those coming from other countries. 

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Average Gross Remuneration of Different Regions in Germany

Here is a salary list (gross and approx) for various regions in the country: 

Highest Paying Professions/Industries in Germany

Here is a closer look at the occupations/industries in Germany which pay the most. 

Average Salaries in Top German Cities

• Frankfurt- €66,529 (INR 56.75 lakh)
• Munich- €65,164 (INR 55.58 lakh)
• Stuttgart-€66,174 (INR 56.44 lakh)
• Berlin- €50,953 (INR 43.46 lakh)
• Dresden- €38,348 (INR 32.71 lakh)
• Hamburg- €52,444 (INR 44.73 lakh)

In terms of technology and research, Germany is competent and globally recognized. Technology and research are some of the areas that make Germany an attractive destination for international students to pursue MS from German universities. Germany is home to five universities that hold a rank within the top 100 globally ranked universities in the world. The research facilities, world-class education facilities, work permits, and lucrative job opportunities, of course, make this the 4th most favorite overseas education destination. Germany produces some of the highest-paying jobs for MS degree holders. There are jobs for varied specializations and one can get a handsome average salary after MS in Germany.   Germany is strict when it comes to eligibility, and international students that aim to pursue MS at German universities need to meet the various eligibility criteria. 

In conclusion, pursuing a Master of Science (MS) in Germany presents lucrative job opportunities and competitive salaries for graduates in 2024, especially in fields like engineering, computer science, and business. The blend of Germany's robust education system, strong industrial base, and thriving economy creates an environment where MS graduates are highly sought after. Salaries post-MS in Germany are reflective of the country’s appreciation for academic achievement and professional expertise, offering graduates a rewarding return on their educational investment. With opportunities in both established corporations and innovative startups, MS graduates in Germany find themselves well-positioned to embark on successful and fulfilling career paths. Additionally, the country's favorable work-life balance and social security benefits further enhance the appeal of working in Germany after completing a Master's 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the eligibility for international students to study ms in germany.

Germany is one of the most preferred destinations for MS degrees worldwide. However, the eligibility criteria are high when it comes to admission because the competition is immense. The number of applications exceeds the intake capacity. Here are all the eligibility criteria that international students need to meet to secure admission to MS:

1. International students need to have 4 years of full-time bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. The minimum cut-off score for graduation is 7.0 GPA on a scale of 10, and 70% marks, whichever is applicable under the university. The degree should be from a recognized university board.

2. Top universities will ask for a valid score on the GATE examination. Students need to confirm with the university at the time of application. You are advised to go through the official website of the universities for complete details.

3. English language proficiency examinations like IELTS and TOEFL scores are important. The medium of communication and education is done in English. Apart from this, German proficiency is also a must-have. For this, the examinations are DAAD, TestDaF, DSH, DSH-2, etc. that needs to be attained by international students.

4. A Letter of recommendation from the past university, organization or employer with whom you have worked helps a lot.

5. An updated copy of resume or curriculum vitae.

What kind of work experience will help secure admission for an MS degree?

Work experience enhances the chances of getting an easy admission to MS. Masters in Science is a professional course, and there are universities in Germany that focus on some industry exposure and prior experience of candidates. The choice between a fresher and a candidate with some work experience will always make the experienced one secure admission. Also, what matters is relevant experience. The work experience should be from the same domain. For example, a candidate seeking admission to Mechanical Engineering needs to have work experience in Mechanical engineering and not in Sales. Work experience will be counted by universities in Germany only when it is relevant to the degree. Those candidates with good skills and practical knowledge of MS degree are more favoured for the courses they seek.

How much can a student with a master’s degree earn in Germany?

A student with a master’s degree may earn up to €450 (INR 38425) each tax-free month. Those earning more than this need to get their income tax numbers. As a result, the taxes get deducted automatically from their salaries. Students can earn up to this threshold each month while employed part-time. They can also get a refund of the money paid in taxes at the end of each tax year by submitting their income tax returns.

What is a good salary offered by Germany?

Germany offers attractive salaries to employees. A good average salary is mostly between €64,000 and €81,000 (INR 54.59-69 lakh) on average. The gross salary will depend on the industry, education levels and profession. Average annual wages were €42,500 (INR 36.25 lakh) per year in 2020 for Germany as per studies. It grew significantly from €42,828 (INR 36.53 lakh) in 2019 and €42,177 (INR 35.97 lakh) in 2018.

Which job has the highest salary in Germany?

Several jobs offer high salaries in Germany. Some of them include actuary, production engineer, tax advisor, corporate development speakers, traders, key account managers, SAP HR consultants, regional managers, consultant or head physicians, regional sales managers, sales management and sales control professionals, senior physicians and more.

What is the salary for Indians in Germany?

Indian aspirants can earn between €45,000-60,000 (INR 38.38 lakh to INR 51.18 lakh) in Germany, depending on their skill sets, qualifications and the company in question. These are good salaries for IT professionals and those in technology fields. Depending on the job role and designation, other industries may have slightly lower wages or even higher.

What salary can be expected after the Master’s in Germany?

In most cases, completing a Master’s course in Germany means accessing several job opportunities. Germany has a low unemployment rate, while average salaries between €76,000-103,000 (INR 64.82-87.86 lakh) are expected for Master’s graduates in high-paying positions. International students working part-time while doing their Master’s in Germany can earn up to €450 (INR 38,385) per month without paying taxes. Any amount above this will naturally be taxable.

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