PhD Application - FAQs

Do You Have to Have Completed Your Master’s Degree by the Date of Application or by the Starting Date of the PhD Position?

Your Master’s degree must be completed 1 July 2027; it does not need to be finished by the date of application.

What Does ‘Completed’ Mean With Regards to the Master’s Degree? Do I Have to Have a Diploma by 1 July 2027?

A completed Master’s degree is one in which all coursework has been submitted and evaluated – i.e. your thesis is complete, if a defense was necessary, it too has been completed. We understand that some universities take several months to process the formal confirmation (i.e. diploma and transcripts), so you may apply if your coursework, thesis and defense will be completely done by 1 July. Please note: In order to receive a contract from either LMU or TUM, you must submit a Master’s diploma.

Do I Need a Certain Grade to Apply for the PhD Program?

Yes, to be eligible for the PhD program, you must hold an above-average Master’s degree — that is, a German grade equivalent of 2.0 or better. For additional information, see also the Transcript Converter section of our website.

Are Applications That Do Not Meet the Grade Criterion (MSc Grade of 2.0 or Better) Strictly Excluded, or Is There Any Flexibility in This Requirement — For Example, in Cases of Peer-Reviewed Publications or Strong Research Experience?

Yes, the minimum admission requirement of a 2.0 MSc grade (or better) is a strict eligibility criterion. Unfortunately, this requirement cannot be waived, regardless of other qualifications, including publications in peer-reviewed journals. Applications that do not meet this criterion will be excluded from further review. We understand that this may be disappointing, particularly for applicants with strong research backgrounds. However, the grade threshold is a formal requirement established across all participating institutions to ensure consistency and fairness in the selection process.

Is There a Minimum Grade Requirement for My Bachelor’s Degree?

No. The minimum grade of 2.0 applies only to your Master’s degree. There is no minimum grade requirement for the Bachelor’s degree.

My Master’s Program Doesn’t Award Interim Grades. Can I Still Apply?

Unfortunately not yet. Some Master's programs don't award grades for individual courses during the degree. Instead, there is only a single overall grade at the very end. In that case, your current Transcript of Records may list the courses you have completed but no grades for any of them, or mark them only as "passed".
Without at least one official grade from your Master's program, we cannot assess your academic performance, which is a key part of the evaluation. If this applies to you, please apply in a future call once your Transcript of Records shows at least one official grade or your final grade.

I Have a Master’s Degree in a Subject That Is Not Listed in the Call. Can I Still Apply?

In principle, yes, as long as your degree is closely related to one of the fields listed in the call (computer science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, mathematics, statistics, data science, or physics) and you have a solid, in-depth background in these areas. This background must be clearly demonstrated by substantial coursework throughout your studies. A single course or short module in one of these subjects is not sufficient. Your academic background will be assessed as part of the regular review process.
Please note that we are unable to assess eligibility individually before you apply. Please do not send us course lists, transcripts, or similar documents for a preliminary check. If you believe you meet the requirements, simply submit your application.

I Hold an Engineering Diploma From a Five-Year Program Outside of Germany. Does This Fulfill the Requirement of Holding Both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree?

Such degrees are generally considered to correspond to a Master’s-level qualification. However, please note that formal recognition and verification of degree equivalence is carried out by the HR department of the employing institution at the final stage of the recruitment process, just before the contract is issued. You are still encouraged to apply if your degree represents a full five-year program and you believe it qualifies as a Master’s-level qualification. In this case, please upload your degree documents in both the Bachelor’s and Master’s sections of the application form to reflect the integrated nature of your studies. The Education section also includes a free-text field where you can provide comments on specific aspects of your local grading system. Please use this space to indicate that you hold a diploma instead of a separate Master’s degree.

Please note that final eligibility can only be confirmed during the contract preparation phase.

Do I Need to Provide Official Proof of My English Language Skills?

No, submitting an official English language certificate is not required. However, proficiency in English is essential for both day-to-day communication and the preparation of scientific publications. Candidates who proceed to the interview stage should be aware that the interview(s) will be conducted in English, allowing the PI(s) to assess their language proficiency. Any difficulties with English communication are likely to become apparent at this stage.

If My Transcripts Use a Grading System Other Than the German System, Do I Need to Convert Each Grade, or Just My Final Average?

You are expected to convert each grade of each course, as well as your final grade.
In the application portal, for each degree (Bachelor's and Master's) whose grading scale differs from the standard German scale, you'll need to:
(a) enter a single converted overall/final grade, and
(b) upload a converted transcript of records (PDF) as a supporting document, with every course grade converted.

If your university states a single official overall/final grade on your certificate or transcript, convert that number using the grade converter (see the Transcript Converter section of our website) — simply enter your university's maximum grade, minimum passing grade, and your stated overall grade.

If no official overall grade is stated anywhere (common for degrees in progress, where Transcript-of-Records-only documents just list course, grade, and weights such as ECTS), use the converter to convert each course grade individually and then compute an (ECTS-)weighted average of those converted grades yourself (see the John Smith example of the Transcript Converter section). Enter that computed figure as the "Overall converted grade" in the application form.

As part of your application, you will also have to create and submit a PDF file in which you have converted each grade for each course. For additional information, see also the Transcript Converter section of our website.

Do I Also Need to Convert My Bachelor’s Grades?

Yes, if your Bachelor's degree was obtained from a non-German university, or from a German university whose grading scheme differs from the standard German scale. The same procedure applies as for your Master's degree: please convert each course grade as well as your final average using the modified Bavarian formula, and upload the conversion as a PDF. This conversion is for comparability only, since there is no minimum grade requirement for the Bachelor's degree.
For additional information, see also the Transcript Converter section of our website.

The Maximum Grade at My University Is Technically Possible, but It’s Almost Never Awarded. Will This Be Taken Into Account During Grade Conversion?

We understand that at some universities the maximum grade is rarely awarded in practice. However, for grade conversion using the Bavarian formula, we must rely on the official grading scale as defined by the degree-awarding institution. Unfortunately, we cannot make exceptions based on grading culture.

Is It Necessary to Send Any Hard Copy Documents, Such as Certificates or Transcripts, From My University as Part of the Application Process?

The entire application process is conducted online, hence no hard copy documents are required.

What Should My CV Look Like?

Your CV should be a concise academic CV (PDF, maximum 2 pages). Please make sure it:

• has a clear chronological structure and is easy to read

• focuses on the most relevant information: your academic background, research and professional experience, key skills, and any publications, awards, or other academic achievements

• is complete: it should cover the entire period from your high school graduation to your current academic or professional status

• explains any significant gaps briefly (e.g. parental leave)

My Academic Records Are Not in English or German. What Do I Need to Submit?

If any of your academic records (e.g. degree certificates, transcripts of records, or diploma supplements) are not in English or German, you must submit both the original and a certified translation into English or German.

What Counts as a Certified Translation?

A certified translation must be prepared by a registered (sworn) translator. Translations you have made yourself and unofficial translations are not accepted. Please always submit the certified translation together with the original document.

What Should My Transcript of Records Include?

A Transcript of Records is an official academic document issued by your university - applicant-created documents or free translations are not accepted. For MSc degrees in progress, please submit the latest official partial transcripts with your application. Please make sure it includes:

• your full name, so it is clearly visible for whom the transcript was issued

• all course units you have completed

• the grade you received for each course unit

• the credit points earned (e.g. ECTS)

• an explanation of your university's grading system, i.e. the highest and lowest possible grades, the minimum passing grade, and which marks count as passing

• clear proof that it was issued by your university, such as a university logo, official seal or stamp, digital signature, or verification code.

What if My Transcript Doesn’t List the University’s Grading System?

If your transcript does not itself state the university's grading scale, please add this information to the same transcript of records PDF you submit — for example by including the official diploma supplement, or a written confirmation from your registrar's office. Information on your university's grading system is essential, including for degrees from German universities, as not all of them use the standard 1.0 to 4.0 scale. Without it, we cannot properly assess your grades or understand how well you performed.

Since I Have Not Yet Finished My Master’s Degree, I Have Not Received an Official Transcript of Records Yet. However, My University Provides a Student Portal From Which a Transcript Can Be Downloaded at Any Time. Would This Version Be Valid for Submission?

If you have not yet completed your Master’s degree, you are required to upload an official Transcript of Records showing all completed coursework to date (see also What Should My Transcript of Records Include FAQ?). If your university allows you to download your transcript at any time via an official student portal, this version is acceptable provided it is clearly issued by your university—e.g. it includes a university logo, official seal or stamp, digital signature, or a verification code. However, if the downloaded version does not include any form of official authentication, you should request an officially certified document (digitally signed or stamped/scanned) from your university’s registrar or examinations office. Please do not upload screenshots or editable files (such as Word documents or spreadsheets). Only official PDF or scanned documents issued by your university will be accepted.

My Transcript of Records Includes a Section That Certifies My Master’s Degree. Do I Still Need to Upload the MSc Certificate Separately, or Can I Upload the Same Document, I.e. Transcript of Records, in Both Sections?

Please upload the Master’s certificate separately. Having the certificate and transcript clearly separated ensures a faster and more accurate review of your materials.

Is It Possible to Submit the Certified Translation of the Degrees After the Deadline?

Unfortunately, we are only able to consider complete applications submitted by the deadline, including all required documents such as official certificates, transcripts of records, and certified translations. Due to the high volume of applications and in the interest of fairness to all applicants, we are not able to accept any missing documents after the deadline.

Do I Need to Provide Letters of Reference With My Application?

No, you do not need to upload reference letters as part of your application. However, you are required to provide the contact details of up to two referees. The referees may (or may not) be contacted directly by potential supervisors during the selection process to comment on your qualifications. Please ensure that each referee has agreed to be contacted for this purpose in advance.

Do Referees Need to Be Affiliated With a University, or Is It Acceptable to Provide Contacts From Industry Who Can Speak to My Research and Professional Experience?

University affiliation is not required. What matters most is that your referees can speak credibly and in detail about your qualifications and potential for PhD study — whether they come from academia or industry.

Can I Apply to More Than One Research Area?

You will be asked to select one preferred MCML research area. You may also indicate a second choice if you wish.

Are All MCML PIs Participating in the Call?

No, not necessarily. PIs decide each year whether they want to take new candidates or not; in some cases, their labs are full or they are not participating for other reasons. The PIs participating in this year’s call are listed here and are also labeled with a “Matchmaking 2027” icon on the corresponding research area pages.

Should I Contact PIs That I Am Interested in Ahead of Applying? Should I Mention Specific PIs in My Application?

Please do not contact PIs before you submit your application. All PIs who are participating in the call will have access to your application, and will get in touch with you in December, January or the first week of February, if they are interested in working with you.

Within the application form, you will have a chance to mention any principal investigators (PIs) you would be especially interested in working with.

I Have Already Submitted My Application, but There Have Been Recent Updates to My Academic Record. Is There a Way to Amend My Application or Submit Additional Information at This Stage?

Due to the design of the application system, it is not possible to modify or add information to an application once it has been submitted. As a result, we are unfortunately unable to incorporate updates provided after submission into the formal evaluation materials. If you are invited to an interview, you will of course have the opportunity to explain and discuss any relevant developments in your academic record at that time.

Can I Inquire About the Status of My Ongoing Application?

We appreciate your interest and understand your curiosity; however, we do not provide updates on the status of applications until a final decision has been made. You will be informed as soon as we reach a conclusion. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Is the Start Date for the PhD Position Flexible?

Yes, to some extent. For the current call, the preferred start date is July 2027, with a latest possible start of December 1, 2027.

Can This Position Be Combined With Funding for Other Positions (For Example DFG)?

The position includes funding for a 100% position for three years. During this time frame, it is not possible to combine the position with other funding. However, candidates are highly encouraged to find funding for the timeframe after the MCML position.

Otherwise, if you have your own funding (DFG, for example), but would like to be affiliated with MCML, this is also possible. You need to either be supervised by one of our PIs or strongly affiliated with one. In that case, you can then affiliate with MCML.

If I Am Accepted Into the Program, Would There Be Any Restrictions or Issues Related to Funding, Given That I Am Currently Completing Another PhD?

Currently being enrolled in another PhD program does not automatically disqualify you from applying. However, if you are accepted into the MCML program, you would typically be expected to formally end your existing PhD position before starting a new one — particularly if both positions are funded, to avoid conflicts related to double funding or contractual obligations.
Funding for MCML PhD positions comes in the form of employment contracts at one of the participating institutions (not scholarships), and each institution’s HR department will conduct a formal eligibility check before issuing a contract. This includes verifying that there are no overlaps or conflicts with ongoing positions.
We therefore recommend that, if selected, you inform your current institution of your decision and make sure that your previous contract is officially concluded before the new one begins.

Can I Take on Other Professional or Academic Commitments Alongside the MCML PhD Position?

The MCML PhD is expected to be your primary academic and professional commitment. It therefore cannot be combined with another full-time commitment, such as employment, a degree program, or another comparable professional or academic obligation.

Is the PhD a Joint PhD Between LMU and TUM?

No, the candidate will receive a PhD degree from either LMU or TUM. It is possible that the second (or third) supervisor is based at the other university, but the degree can only be granted by one of the Munich universities.