A doctoral degree involves the awarding of a doctorate as an academic qualification in a specific subject, evidenced through the issuing of a doctoral degree certificate. It is understood as proof of the ability to conduct particularly in-depth academic work.

It is not an independent course of study with lectures and examinations, rather it is independent academic work carried out under the guidance of the supervising professor on a topic chosen by the doctoral candidate themselves. The following doctoral degrees are awarded at FAU, depending on the faculty and subject: Dr. phil., Dr. theol., Dr. rer. pol., Dr. jur., Dr. med., Dr. med. dent., Dr. rer. biol. hum., Dr. rer. nat., Dr.-Ing.

The doctoral degree consists of two parts:

1. The independently written academic thesis (doctoral thesis)
2. The oral examination (Rigorosum, Disputation).

People pursuing a doctoral degree are referred to as doctoral candidates, or Promovierende in German.

Use of the title

The title is placed before the name, e.g. Dr. Franziska Mustermann.

In an increasing number of countries, doctoral studies are completed as a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). In English-speaking countries, the PhD is the academic doctoral qualification in nearly all subjects, and the highest level of postgraduate study. Unlike doctoral degrees in German-speaking countries, PhD programs often take the form of a specific study program, with special lectures and examinations and has a standard duration of three to five years (depending on the admission requirements).

In Bavaria, a PhD can only be awarded after studying a certain degree program. At FAU, we offer a suitable degree program in the area of Advanced ImmunoMedicine.

A PhD consists of three parts:

1. Regular attendance of specialist courses and other obligatory qualification measures
2. The independently written academic thesis (doctoral thesis)
3. The oral examination (Rigorosum, Disputation).

The period between completing a Master’s degree program and achieving a PhD in English-speaking countries is most similar to a structured doctoral program at FAU, that is generally completed within three to four years.

It is possible to obtain a doctoral degree in Germany and at FAU through a shorter structured program. This represents a viable alternative to the more common individual doctoral degree and is also fairly widespread.

Use of the title

The PhD title is written after the name, for example Franziska Mustermann, PhD. In line with standard academic conventions, a PhD graduate is addressed as Dr.

Anyone who has completed a PhD may use the title “Dr.” without any difficulties. However, for doctoral degrees gained in the USA, the university at which the title was obtained must be on one of the two Carnegie lists “Doctoral Universities – Highest activity” and “Doctoral Universities – Higher research activity”. Researchers who have been awarded a doctoral degree in Australia, Israel, Canada or Russia may only carry the German title “Dr.” with an addition.

The statement of the Max-Planck Society provides a good summary of the topic.

Whether the “Dr.” title can be used with an international doctoral degree in Germany or if a doctoral degree gained in Germany can use the title commonly used in the other country depends on whether both countries have an equivalence agreement. The ANABIN database from the Central Office for Foreign Education is a useful place to start researching.

The title MD (Doctor of Medicine) is an academic degree title, which is referred to as a professional degree in some countries. Professional degrees are doctoral degrees that are awarded, for example, in the USA, Austria and in some other countries on completion of a degree program without a thesis. This is not common practice in Germany. In the USA, the title of MD is awarded as a degree qualifying the holder for the medical profession (professional degree) after completion of a degree (exam) without an additional thesis.

Professional degrees cannot be equated with the more research-based doctoral degree (Dr.). Professional degrees such as these are roughly equivalent to the Staatsexamen (State Examination) in medicine. The holder of a professional degree in medicine may only use the title in the original form in which it was granted. The title Dr., Dr. med., or any other alternative German translation may not be used as the holder has not completed a doctoral thesis.

Use of the title

The MD title is written after the name, as in Franziska Mustermann, MD.