International Programmes 2023/2024

Evolution and Ecology Research School Tübingen (EVEREST) Evolution and Ecology Research School Tübingen (EVEREST)

University of Tübingen • Tübingen

Degree
Doctoral degree (Dr rer nat)
Teaching language
  • English
Languages

The language of the EVEREST programme is English. All EVEREST-specific courses and workshops are taught in English. Yet, PhD students can also acquire credits via the regular courses offered within the University of Tübingen, and these include many courses taught in German.

German courses are available at the university’s House of Languages: www.uni-tuebingen.de/en/1056.

Full-time / part-time
  • full-time
Programme duration
6 semesters
Beginning
Only for doctoral programmes: any time
Additional information on beginning, duration and mode of study

Please note that it is only possible to enter the programme after getting a PhD position in Tübingen. Hence, please keep an eye on the job ads to apply for a specific PhD position, or contact individual group leaders you are interested in working with for potential opportunities.

Application deadline

PhD projects can start at any time, depending on funding.

Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No
Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Description/content

The graduate programme EVEREST offers doctoral students interdisciplinary education in evolution and ecology. It promotes the scientific independence of participating students, facilitates the acquisition of key qualifications for research and career planning, and enhances networking options within and beyond Tübingen. Supervision by individual Thesis Advisory Committees (TAC) and evaluation by an External Advisory Board guarantee the quality of the training within EVEREST.

PhD projects can start at any time, but they require independent funding. Funding may come either (i) through scholarships applied for by the students or (ii) through research funding, including PhD positions acquired by EVEREST faculty. Please contact the EVEREST faculty if you are interested in any of their research subjects.

Course organisation

EVEREST students acquire a total of 15 CP ECTS over the course of their three (or more) years of study. This workload has a fixed component (5 CP) and a flexible component (10 CP).

Credit points are awarded according to the following credit point rules.

Fixed component (5 CP in total)

  1. PhD Retreat: Attend (at least) once: 2 CP
  2. Doctoral Seminar (DOSE): 2 CP
    - Host 1
    - Attend 14
  3. Meeting of Students in Evolution and Ecology (StEvE)
    ≥ 1 preferably oral presentation (poster optional): 1 CP
    - Attendance in other years expected

Flexible component (10 CP in total)

  1. Courses on scientific or transferable skills [maximum 7 CP accepted]:
    - CP specified, we accept these CP
    - CP not specified: 25 h = 3d workload = 1 CP
  2. Conference/Workshop attendance [maximum 5 CP accepted]
    - With poster or oral contribution: 1 CP
    - No contribution: 1-2 d =½ CP, ≥ 3 d =1 CP
  3. Teaching [maximum 2 CP accepted]
    - According to official teaching load calculations: 25 h= 1 CP
  4. Student supervision (BSc/MSc/LA) [maximum 1 CP accepted]
  5. Other options [maximum 3 CP accepted]
    - MNF graduate academy, ½ day intros: 0.25 CP each
    - PhD retreat organisation: 1 CP
    - Student representative (EVEREST, MNF, ...): 1 CP
    - Others (after approval by coordinator/board):
    25 h = 3d workload = 1CP
International elements
  • Content-related regional focus
Integrated internships

Most PhD projects in the school involve exchanges and internships with international partners. Specific regulations vary according to the content of the PhD project.

Course-specific, integrated German language courses
No
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
None
Semester contribution

Enrolment fees at the University of Tübingen are currently about 160 EUR per semester. This includes use of local public transport free of charge from Mondays to Fridays in the evenings, at weekends and on public holidays. In addition, students may purchase a semester ticket for unlimited use of public transport in the city of Tübingen and the surrounding area (currently about 130 EUR).

Costs of living

Estimated basic student expenses are close to 1,000 EUR per month according to the Tübingen Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk”), including rent for student accommodation. Rent for private accommodation will be more expensive.

Funding opportunities within the university
No
Academic admission requirements

MSc degree or equivalent degree

Language requirements

Fluency in English

Application deadline

PhD projects can start at any time, depending on funding.

Submit application to

everest@uni-tuebingen.de

Universität Tübingen
Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät
Fachbereich Biologie
EVEREST
Institut für Evolution und Ökologie
Auf der Morgenstelle 28
72076 Tübingen
Germany

Possibility of finding part-time employment

Students may find jobs as research assistants for projects of the Department of Biology or affiliated research institutes.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available through the Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk“) or on the private market. Rooms in student accommodation cost approx. 200 to 400 EUR per month. As Tübingen is a very attractive place to live, private accommodation is more expensive and can take some effort to find. To make sure you find a suitable place to live, you should start looking as early as possible.

We recommend you apply for student accommodation through the “Studierendenwerk” at the same time that you apply for admission to the programme (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/halls-of-residence-tuebingen/ and https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/faqs/) and send in a copy of your notification of admission as soon as you have received it. (Your application won’t be processed before the “Studierendenwerk” has received proof of your admission.) For further information, check out the “Studierendenwerk” pages on housing in Tübingen (https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/housing-infos/).

Structured research and supervision
Yes
Research training / discussion
Yes
Career advisory service

Career advice is an integral component of the regular meetings of individual Thesis Advisory Committees (TAC). Moreover, students are encouraged to attend career development courses offered by the Graduate Academy of the university.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Support with registration procedures
General services and support for international students and doctoral candidates

The Welcome Center provides service and support for international researchers before and during their stays at the University of Tübingen. It offers information and support for international doctoral students, post-doctoral and senior researchers, and professors regarding all non-academic and practical issues (visa, residence permits, employment, health insurance, housing and accommodation, etc.). Furthermore, there are several social events and get-togethers organised by the Welcome Center for all guests from abroad. Please register at the Welcome Center as soon as possible! www.uni-tuebingen.de/en/international/welcome-center

The university’s Office for Advising and Admission of International Students offers advice on all academic matters (http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/en/90787).

University of Tübingen

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