Doctoral students

In the first instance, you should look for a professor at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences who is willing to host and supervise you in their research group throughout your doctorate. The following information is particularly important in this context:

• What is the research area you wish to explore for your doctorate?
• When exactly do you plan to stay in Osnabrück or Lingen?
• What is your professional background? (Feel free to attach your CV and, where applicable, a list of your publications.)

You can use the Expert Search to look for specific fields. If you need assistance in finding an appropriate academic supervisor, please feel free to contact us: welcome-center@hs-osnabrueck.de.

You will need to be enrolled throughout your doctorate at the cooperating university that will award you the doctorate upon completion. In the case of international students, it is often advisable to nominate the home university as the cooperating university. In many cases, professors at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences also have contacts with universities that would be willing to take on the role of cooperating university. Failing this, the Doctoral College at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences will provide assistance.
Due to limited capacity, priority is given to exchange with our international university partners. In other words, we mainly accept doctoral students from our partner universities. However, if your academic background matches our research projects, we will be happy to explore the possibility of accepting you as a doctoral student.

By offering our Doctoral College, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences seeks to promote and qualify our doctoral students who write their doctoral theses and complete their doctorate at our university in cooperation with a university in Germany or abroad (see diagram above: Options A and B). Upon admission to the Doctoral College, you become a member of our university.

There are various funding options, depending on whether you plan to move to Osnabrück or Lingen for the entire duration of your doctorate, or whether you will only be visiting us for a short research stay:

Option A: Cooperative doctorate at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, residence: Osnabrück or Lingen

Many doctoral students living in Osnabrück or Lingen for the duration of their doctorate fund themselves by taking on a half-time position as a graduate teaching and/or research assistant. If you are interested in applying for such a position, we recommend that you regularly check out the positions advertised at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. Another option open to you are foundations and other funding institutions that award grants to doctoral students. Many options are available, ranging from highly specialized small foundations to large funding organizations such as the DAAD. Since the search for a funding opportunity is a time-consuming process, you should start early to consider your options carefully. To increase your chances of receiving funding, it is essential that you look for a grant announcement that matches your personal profile as closely as possible.

Option B: Cooperative doctorate at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, residence: the cooperating university

If you intend to do your doctorate at your home university, with Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences providing co-supervision, short-term grants can help you fund your research stay at our university. If necessary, ask your home university for advice on this.

Option C: Doctorate without any connection to Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, residence: the external university, with a temporary research stay at our university

Even if Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences is not formally involved in your doctorate, given that it is not acting as a cooperating university, you are of course still welcome to visit us for a research stay. In this case, too, your university will advise you on funding options for your doctorate. Short-term grants may be available to cover your travel and accommodation expenses in Osnabrück or Lingen.

We outline in detail a number of funding opportunities for Options A, B and C below. Given the vast array of funding options, please note that this list is not intended to be exhaustive.

If you require assistance with your grant application, please feel free to contact us at any time. Since funding bodies usually require written confirmation of supervision, please request a “Confirmation of Academic Supervision” from your supervisor at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. The Welcome Center can provide a template for this purpose.

Suitable for all three options (A-C)

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is one of the world’s largest funding organizations. Many options are available for doctoral students, ranging from travel on university business and short-term grants to four-year grants for doctoral students. There are funding opportunities for research purposes in Germany as well as abroad. To get a quick overview of the options available, simply visit the DAAD scholarship database. Please note that the DAAD has fixed application periods and deadlines. It is therefore advisable to familiarize yourself with the formalities in good time.

Suitable for Option A

Each year, the Osnabrück-based DBU awards 60 PhD scholarships to early career researchers from any subject area seeking to undertake postgraduate research work in Germany in the field of environmental protection. The funding period is between 12 and 36 months. To apply for a DBU scholarship, applicants must have a good command of German because the application and the presentation of the topic before the selection committee must be made in German.

Suitable for Option A

The Hans-Mühlenhoff-Stiftung aims to support young people studying in Osnabrück who stand out for their outstanding achievements. However, the foundation also supports students who otherwise could not afford to do a doctorate from their own resources.

Suitable for Options A (B and C)

In Germany, there are 13 state-run organizations for the promotion of young talent (Begabtenförderungswerke) that provide financial and non-material support to high-achieving students and doctoral students:

1. Avicenna-Studienwerk
2. Cusanuswerk
3. Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst
4. The Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk
5. The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
6. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom
7. The Hanns Seidel Foundation
8. The Hans Böckler Foundation
9. The Heinrich Böll Foundation
10. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
11. The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation
12. The Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft
13. The Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes – German Academic Scholarship Foundation

The Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes – the largest of the above-mentioned foundations – is politically independent and non-denominational. Other foundations, however, have a political orientation and are close to a particular German political party. These include the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (SPD), the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (CDU), the Heinrich Böll Foundation (Alliance 90/The Greens), the Hanns Seidel Foundation (CSU), and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FDP).

The denominational foundations include the Catholic Church’s Cusanuswerk, Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst (Protestant), Avicenna-Studienwerk (Muslim), and the Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Studienwerk (Jewish). The Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft is one of the foundations that awards non-denominational scholarships.

The 13 organizations for the promotion of young talent are assigned to the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). They offer doctoral students a basic grant, as well as subsidies for health insurance, research costs and, if required, a family allowance and childcare allowance. When it comes to the application process, above-average achievements are just as important as social commitment or community engagement. Funding is primarily available to Germans and doctoral students from the EU who are pursuing a doctorate at a German university (in exceptional cases, funding may also be available to students abroad).

Special funding initiatives are in place for researchers with a refugee and/or at-risk background. An overview can be found here:

• The DAAD’s Hilde Domin Program is open to students and doctoral students who are at risk in their home country and denied the right to education. The scholarship encompasses elements such as an allowance for living expenses and for the cost of pursuing studies or research in Germany. The duration of funding for doctoral students is up to 48 months. Separate Bridge Scholarships are available for students and doctoral students from Afghanistan.
• Some of the organizations for the promotion of young talent (Begabtenförderungswerke) mentioned above also specifically support refugee researchers: Avicenna Studienwerk, Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, the Hans Böckler Foundation, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, and the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes – German Academic Scholarship Foundation.
• The Scholar Rescue Fund operates internationally, placing refugee researchers at universities and offering them fellowships.
• The Volkswagen Foundation: Funding program for refugee scholars from Afghanistan for a maximum period of two years (not available at the moment). Condition: The applicant (e.g., a professor from Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences) is currently being funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, or received project or individual funding at some point in the last ten years. The Volkswagen Foundation is currently also offering funding for refugee scholars and scientists from Ukraine.

Scholarship portals such as MyStipendium, e-fellows.net, Stiftungssuche, and EURAXESS enable you to filter scholarships according to specific criteria. The funding opportunities vary widely, from printing allowances and travel expenses to full scholarships. Some grants also provide specific support for different stages of the doctorate (the initial, completion, or post-doctoral stages).

If you wish, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences can arrange for a Welcome Guide (a student from the university) to meet you at the station and take you to your accommodation. We will also help you set up your workplace and find your way around Osnabrück or Lingen in the first few days and weeks of your stay.

After arriving in Germany, you are required to register your residence with the Municipal Office and, if necessary, extend your residence permit at the Foreigner's Office. To do this, you will need your passport and a landlord’s certificate from your landlord, among other things. We will be happy to accompany you to this appointment.

We generally recommend that international visiting scholars open an account with a German bank or savings bank in Germany, enabling them to pay such things as the rent. You will also receive an EC card with your account, which can be used for everyday payments. To open an account for you, the bank will usually need to see your certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung) issued by the Residents’ Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt), which you will receive during your appointment with the Foreigners’ Office, as mentioned above. Please note that most banks charge account maintenance fees. If you intend to make frequent payments to an account in your home country, it is worth asking whether your foreign bank cooperates with a German bank. This might speed up payments to or from abroad and have an impact on the charges for cross-border credit transfers.

If you have student status and possess an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), our Housing Service can help you arrange accommodation in our local student halls of residence. These are single rooms in a shared apartment with other students and doctoral students.

Would you prefer to look for your own apartment outside the student halls of residence? On request, we will gladly send you an overview of the most popular online platforms for finding accommodation. We will be happy to advise you, but can only provide limited support in the search for accommodation. Please note that it is sometimes difficult to find accommodation in Osnabrück and Lingen (especially at the beginning of the semester), so you should make sure to book accommodation in a hostel or vacation rental apartment for the first few days or weeks. The guest house of Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences or Osnabrück University may also be used. We will be happy to send you an overview of the available options, also for short-term accommodation. 

Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences attaches great importance to family friendliness and is committed to promoting a healthy work-life balance. A key element of this endeavor is our Family Service Center, which provides advice and practical information on aspects such as childcare and access to kindergarten. For more information, visit the website of the Family Service of Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences.

There are several insurance options available, depending on whether you fund your doctorate by working (e.g., as a graduate teaching and/or research assistant) or through a grant:

1. If you have an employment contract with Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences (or any other university or higher education institution in Germany), you are automatically covered by statutory health insurance in Germany, irrespective of your length of stay here and your country of origin. Once you have registered with the statutory health insurance company of your choice, you will receive your health insurance card.
2. Nationals of Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland who hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) have coverage for short-term stays in Germany. However, the coverage provided by the European Health Insurance Card is usually limited to emergency treatment only. If you intend to stay in Germany for a prolonged period, you should therefore obtain additional coverage. To do this, simply request an S1 form (a European document) from your health insurance provider in your home country. This document establishes your right to full healthcare coverage in Germany.
3. If you plan to stay in Germany for less than 90 days, travel health insurance will be sufficient in many cases.
4. If you come from a country outside the EU and intend to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days, the following options are available to you:

a) You can take out health insurance in your home country and bring your policy with you to Germany. In our experience, however, overseas insurance policies are unlikely to be accepted in Germany.

b) You can take out voluntary statutory insurance in Germany. However, you will normally only have access to statutory health insurance in Germany if you have an employment contract in this country or if you previously had statutory insurance in an EU country.

c) If options a) and b) do not apply in your case, you will need to take out private health insurance in Germany. Substitutive private health insurance for scholars costs around €90 or more per month. Further information is provided by EURAXESS and the DAAD. We generally recommend that you take out insurance online before entering Germany.

Health services can be very expensive in Germany, and if you do not have adequate insurance coverage, you will be responsible for meeting all of the costs.

Please also ensure that you have adequate liability and accident insurance coverage for your stay in Germany. You will not be insured through Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences during your stay in Germany!

Compared to many other cities in Germany, the cost of living in Osnabrück and Lingen is relatively low. In particular, rent levels are comparatively inexpensive here.

According to a study by the Deutsches Studentenwerk (German National Association for Student Affairs), students in Germany spend an average of €867 per month. In many cases, the cost of living is fairly comparable for students and doctoral students, with a few differences for doctoral students. For example, doctoral students at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences do not need to pay the semester fee. As a result, however, they do not have the public transportation ticket that allows free use of buses in the city. Nor do they have student status in the canteen; and in some cases, they have to pay for private health insurance in Germany. In addition, doctoral students sometimes prefer private accommodation to student halls of residence, which is usually more expensive. They are also required to cover one-off expenses incurred at the beginning of the stay. Examples include a residence permit for non-EU citizens (approx. €110), a rent deposit, if required, and purchases for the home. The figure of €867 is therefore only a rough guide and depends on your personal needs and lifestyle – you may be able to get by with less or need more.

In many cases, knowledge of German is not essential for doctoral studies because English is the academic language in many research groups and laboratories But of course it would be a great asset to have some knowledge of German for everyday life. We recommend taking a preparatory German course, if required. Here are a number of potential German language course providers abroad.

Once you have arrived in Osnabrück, you are welcome to join our international intensive language course, which is specifically designed for new international students and doctoral students at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. This course gives you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with life in Osnabrück and Germany, and to get to know a few people, immediately before the start of the semester.

Click below to find out more about our intensive language programs:

International Winter Language School (before the summer semester, starting in February)

International Summer Language School (before the winter semester, starting in August)

You also have the opportunity to improve your German during the semester. German courses of all levels are offered every semester, usually with two 1.5-hour sessions per week. Some of these courses focus on specific terminology, such as business German or technical German, but we also offer general German classes. In our semester-long German courses, we additionally employ German tutors to support participants in their learning process. In small voluntary groups with a maximum of four to five people, learners receive support with homework, pronunciation difficulties, and oral presentations. Apart from helping learners to improve their language skills in case of difficulty, the emphasis here is also on getting to know other (German) students. If you are interested, do not hesitate to contact the Welcome Center, which will put you in touch with a contact person at the Center for International Students.

How do our researchers describe their time in Osnabrück? Click here for their testimonials.