Admission
Eligibility
Doctoral researchers at the MPGC need to officialy register as doctoral candidates at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU).
Admission to the MPGC therefore involves two steps:
Admission to the MPGC program through the graduate center’s internal selection process
Formal admission as a doctoral candidate at JGU, which confirms eligibility to pursue a PhD under the MPGC doctoral regulations
Both steps are required within the MPGC doctoral program.
Doctoral Regulations
The doctoral program is governed by the official MPGC doctoral regulations (“Promotionsordnung”).
The regulations define the structure of the doctoral program, including:
Admission and selection procedures
Supervision and mentoring structures
Requirements for the dissertation and defense
Organization of the doctoral program
You can download the full regulations in German and English here.
Academic Requirements
Applicants should normally hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a natural science or engineering discipline from a recognized university.
Typical admission requirements include:
Excellent academic performance and - for degrees obtained abroard - a degree that is recognized by JGU International Services
A research project aligned with the scientific profile of the MPGC
Strong motivation and aptitude for independent research
In certain cases, candidates with an outstanding Bachelor’s degree may also be admitted if their academic achievements and research potential are exceptional.
Language Requirements
The working language of the MPGC is English. Applicants must therefore be able to participate in scientific discussions, seminars, and lectures in English.
Applicants who are not native English speakers and did not obtain a German Abitur are required to provide proof of English proficiency, for example:
TOEFL iBT (minimum score: 60) or other standardized language tests
German language skills are not required, but basic German knowledge is recommended for everyday life in Germany. Free German courses are offered to MPGC doctoral researchers through the university and the Max Planck Institutes.