Who can apply?
You can apply to all of our PhD programs if you have a Master, Diploma or Staatsexamen. We take students from a life science as well as medical (Dr.med., MBBS) background. You should at least have done a 6 months independent research project (e.g. Master project). We usually follow an age limit of 32, as we are programs of excellence.
! Students with an engineering background are very welcome to apply to the "Regenerative Sciences" program.
Fast-track Master
It is possible to do a fast track Master in our two HBRS Master programs (Biomedicine, Biochemistry). You will only do three semesters of the Master program, skip the Master thesis and directly start with your PhD thesis in one of our three PhD programs. Only excellent students will get the chance to do this. Please contact the Master or HBRS office. Fast-track Master students do not pay study fees after their 3rd semester and receive an equal amount of financial support (stipend, salary) to all other PhD students, after their so called "4th semester" (meaning from October, the start of PhD programs).
Please note that our Master programs are in German only!
former MD/PhD program (now PhD program "Molecular Medicine)
This PhD program does not award an MD degree, so it is not a combined program like e.g. the North American programs. We only award PhD or Dr.rer.nat. degrees (to life scientists only). It is a 3-year program. The name MD/PhD has historical reasons, because we want to attract students with a medical background and the training program focusses on applied medical aspects.
However, medical students are very welcome to apply also to the other PhD programs in HBRS.
How will my studies be financed?
Every student will receive either a stipend or salary of about 1200,- to 1350,- Euro/month. In principle, the leader of project (supervisor) will give you financial support. There are stipends by the programs and HBRS for 18 months max. as well.
You will have a student status! You will only have to pay the immatriculation fee (no study fee) and will receive a student travel card for Hannover and Lower Saxony.
We will support families with so called "money for children" (Kindergeld), which is currently amounting to 400,- Euro/month for the first child + 100,- Euro/month for all further children.
What about insurances, and bank account?
We will organize the membership in a health insurance and opening of bank account - in particular for the international students - during the orientation weeks, beginning of October. We will always choose the health insurance best suitable for you.
We recommend international students to buy a short-term travel health insurance.
And we recommend all our students to take a private liability insurance.
What language is used?
English is the main language of the course, however, German language courses are offered to our international students.
Is HBRS open to all international students?
Yes, at the moment we have got students from over 20 different countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Canada, Columbia, India, China, Indonesia, Iran, Kenia, Russia, Ethiopia, Philippines, Belrussia, Estonia, Greece, UK, Taiwan, Bolivia, Canada, Sweden, Portugal, Tansania etc.
How will I be accommodated?
It is possible to apply for a room in one of our student's residences. The individual program offices take care of this. Furthermore, the offices will kindly assist you in finding something suitable in town if you wish.
Is the curriculum obligatory?
We require additional 300 hours of training to your research project in three years. There are the 3 hour obligatory seminars on Mondays or Thursdays (attendance of different modules possible and flexibility for German Master students). Then you have to do 80 hours of project oriented lectures, method courses, workshops, summer schools etc. and 60 hours of interdisciplinary courses.
What final degree will I achieve?
When you finish our programs you will either have a PhD or Dr. rer. nat. degree (for life scientists only). It is not possible at MHH to do a Master degree in English. We have new programs "Master Biomedizin" and "Master Biochemie" (only in German). In fact, a Master is one of our most important entrance criterium.
Can I bring my family?
Yes, HBRS is very family-oriented. We help you in finding suitable accomodation. And we have got an on campus crip/ kindergarden especially for scientists sponsored by the Wilhelm Hirte Foundation and through funds of the German Excellence Initiative.
Please contact us if you would like to bring your spouse. We would be very happy in assisting her/him to find a suitable position in Hannover region as well. We have excellent connections to all other universities, research institutes or industry.
How are my career perspectives?
Your perspectives are excellent. Most of our students finish their PhD with one, two or even more papers in peer-reviewed international journals. Of course, we encourage people to stay at MHH afterwards for Postdoc or to return at least after having been abroad. Many students are offered Postdoc positions in outstanding labs worldwide (Harvard, UCSF, Imperial College etc.). Or they find very good positions in industry and other fields. Please see our "Alumni" section and in particular the newsletters.
We have a great number of activities in the "careers" section.