Why do your doctorate at TUM?
As a doctoral candidate at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), you will conduct research at one of Europe's leading universities in order to play an active role in shaping sustainable innovation progress for people, nature and society. The scientists at TUM deal with the burning issues of our time and are among the world leaders in their fields. Whether in basic research or at the interface to application: Their research results contribute to improving our understanding of the world, developing sustainable technologies and enhancing our quality of life.
TUM in rankings
TUM is once again a University of Excellence and thus the only technical university to have held the title continuously since 2006. The distinction is awarded as part of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments to provide strategic international support for top-level German research. With this funding, TUM is implementing the TUM Agenda 2030 concept for the future. Seven TUM Schools, which are linked to each other via integrative research institutes, have taken the place of closely-knit disciplinary faculties.
For more than a decade, TUM has been among the top universities in Germany and Europe in almost all international rankings. The renowned “QS World University Ranking”, for example, ranks TUM as the best German university in 2024 - for the tenth time in a row. It is ranked fourth in the European Union and 28th worldwide. In “THE Impact Ranking” 2024, TUM is once again the world leader in the Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure category. TUM graduates are also in high demand on the international job market, as shown by the Global University Employability Ranking, in which it is ranked 13th worldwide in 2024. In Europe, it is number 4 after the universities in Cambridge and Oxford and Imperial College.
TUM Graduate School
The TUM Graduate School (TUM-GS), as the central institution for the approximately 10,000 doctoral candidates at TUM, provides targeted training for early career researchers since 2009 and is the largest institution of its kind in Germany. Under the umbrella of the TUM-GS, the various Graduate Centers bundle initiatives for the qualification of doctoral candidates according to the highest international standards. In this way, we provide a breeding ground for scientific excellence and prepare you optimally for a career in science and industry.
The unique TUM doctoral model combines:
Excellence in research: Individual research within your research group remains at the core of the doctorate.
Subject-specific qualification: A wide range of courses complement and deepen your scientific expertise.
Transferable skills training: Our extensive transferable skills program equips you for professional challenges during and after your doctorate.
International experiences: A variety of programs and funding opportunities facilitate early international and intercultural collaboration, helping you build valuable personal and institutional networks.
Career counseling: Tailored counseling services prepare you for careers in academia, industry, entrepreneurship, and beyond.
TUM locations
TUM is located in the Munich metropolitan region, one of Europe's leading economic and scientific regions. A large number of successful companies with strong research and development activities as well as renowned research institutions are located here. Today, TUM is also represented internationally with branches on several continents - and with its own campus in Singapore. Find out more about the various TUM locations.
