All courses are held in English. The dissertation is written in English, and the oral defence takes place in English.
Applications are welcome throughout the year. For a start in the summer semester (1 April), submission of the complete application online is recommended no later than 1 November. For a start in the winter semester (1 October), submission is recommended no later than 1 May.
The interdisciplinary Environmental and Resource Management PhD programme offers highly-qualified candidates the chance to research current international environmental issues within a stimulating environment of fellow researchers and students and a broad network of regional and international partners who are aiming to improve the quality of professional environmental management for the 21st century.
The programme focuses on research in the areas of environmental science and technology, biotechnology, and environmental and planning law. Thereby, the doctoral research strengthens the research profile of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg in global change and transformation processes, energy reform, and decarbonisation as well as health and life science. The PhD programme is open to national and international students with a Master's degree or equivalent in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Economics, Environmental Management, Environmental Law, Applied Chemistry, Biotechnology, or a related subject.
For an overview of the research areas, please visit our website.
During the three-year programme, PhD students will be able to write their doctoral theses and complete a mandatory curriculum. The curriculum consists of five modules (30 ECTS) that focus on fostering research skills as well as the transferable skills needed to build a professional career in academia. Every module as well as the doctoral thesis (120 ECTS) and the oral examination (30 ECTS) will be graded individually.
All lectures and seminars are a mandatory part of the programme. Therefore, it is necessary for the PhD students to be present at the university during the lecture periods (April to July and October to February). It is possible to create a personalised standard curriculum, as periods for research stays are explicitly taken into account.
The language of instruction, research, and examination is English.
The five modules (6 ECTS each) focus on fostering your research skills as well as transferable skills needed to build your professional career:
For the full curriculum, semester schedule, and module description, please visit our website.
The BTU Graduate Research School offers additional workshops for all doctoral candidates at BTU on networking, subject-related qualification, scientific techniques, and transferable skills training.
Apart from a few degree programmes, education offered at the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is without tuition fees. However, the university does charge a semester fee each semester. This covers costs for student services organisation and the Student Council.
Semester fees for students in our PhD programmes currently amount to 165 EUR.
Studies abroad often have different types of expenses from the ones you know from your home country. You are responsible for covering your own living expenses. Accommodation and other essential living expenses will amount to around 700–950 EUR/month. Of course, this amount depends entirely on individual lifestyle. The following list gives you an idea of some fixed and variable costs that you should take into account for your stay in Germany.
Monthly costs:
rent (including utilities): 200–450 EUR
groceries: approx. 170 EUR
health insurance, medical fees, medication: approx. 120 EUR
miscellaneous (clothing, study materials, other activities): 200–300 EUR
total: 700–950 EUR
The so-called "Deutschlandticket" included in the semester ticket allows you to travel using all local public means of transportation throughout Germany.
Studying at BTU is mostly free of (tuition) fees. Because of this, there are only limited scholarship opportunities for international students. The International Relations Office is nonetheless pleased to be able to award a limited number of scholarships to international students already enrolled at BTU. You can find more information on BTU scholarship opportunities on our websites: https://www.b-tu.de/en/international/international-students/during-studies/scholarships
The PhD programme is open to national and international students who hold a Master's degree or equivalent in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Economics, Environmental Management, Environmental Law, Applied Chemistry, Biotechnology, or a related subject. Eligible candidates should have achieved a final grade of at least 2.3 (according to the German grading system) and should have completed a Master's thesis.
The application includes a comprehensive PhD proposal. While you have the autonomy to choose the research topic for your PhD research proposal, it is essential to ensure that the research proposal topic aligns with the research focus of the PhD programme.
A certificate of proficiency in English must be provided, except for graduates of English language Master's programmes in Germany and graduates from certain countries.
Accepted tests and minimum scores include:
Applications are welcome throughout the year. For a start in the summer semester (1 April), submission of the complete application online is recommended no later than 1 November. For a start in the winter semester (1 October), submission is recommended no later than 1 May.
To submit your application, please visit our website.
There are job opportunities both in town and on campus. Nevertheless, please do not come to Germany expecting to be able to finance your entire studies by working. The study load is high, and it is not always easy to find a part-time job. Students from non-European countries are allowed to work either 120 whole days or 240 half days annually. The 120-day rule is not affected by mandatory internships or student assistance jobs at university. Students from EU member countries, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland can work without restrictions during their studies in Germany.
BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is a university with three locations where numerous student dormitories are provided. Students can choose between different room types. The room capacities in our dormitories are limited, thus we recommend to apply as early as you receive your admission letter for an apartment in the dormitories.
In Germany, it is also very common for students to live alone or with friends. If three or more people share an apartment together, this is called a "WG" in German ("Wohngemeinschaft", which means a shared flat).
The BTU Career Center (https://www.b-tu.de/en/careercenter) offers extensive support to international students and graduates, ensuring that students experience a smooth transition into the job market. We help students on their journey to a successful career path by offering seminars, workshops and career advisory services to ensure students succeed in their job application processes, and land a great position.
Our offers include:
The BTU offers a wide range of support during your preparation for your stay in Germany, your first days on campus and throughout your whole study programme.
Among others, the International Relations Office offers the following services:
Located on three campuses and with about 60 study programmes, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg offers a broad spectrum of market-oriented programmes as well as traditional degree programmes.
From the natural sciences and engineering to economics, cultural studies, and even health sciences, BTU offers a wide range of courses. Our 17 study programmes taught exclusively in English are very popular among both German and international students from all over the world.
BTU is partnered with over 220 universities throughout the world, which provides students with a multitude of excellent opportunities to spend part of their time studying or conducting research abroad. Furthermore, in cooperation with our international partner universities, BTU offers a wide range of double degree and joint degree programmes.
Cottbus is located in the north-east of Germany, between the country’s capital, Berlin (100 km), and Dresden (120 km). With a population of approx. 100,000 inhabitants, Cottbus is the second largest city after Potsdam in the federal state of Brandenburg. The Polish border is only approx. 30 km away. The location of Cottbus offers a convenient starting point for trips into the picturesque region of Lower Lusatia. The landscape of Lower Lusatia is characterised by the Spreewald with its small canals and waterways as well as by the Slavonic minority called Sorbs or Wends. Their language, similar to Polish, is still used and spoken in Lower Lusatia. For this reason, many of the road signs and informational boards in Cottbus and the surrounding region are written in both Sorbian and German. Cottbus gained importance as a trade centre in the 12th century. Parts of the original city wall from the 14th century as well as the beautiful townhouses around the old market square are proof of the city’s early splendour. Additionally, the city is characterised by buildings from the "Wilhelminian" times of rapid industrial growth in Germany, which occurred towards the end of the 19th century. The city that first rose to prominence with its cloth and linen weaving industry soon evolved into a growing centre of brown coal mining. Today, Cottbus is in the midst of a structural transformation. The BTU supports this development with its engagement in the Lausitz Science Park megaproject, which aims to build an appealing innovation landscape.
Senftenberg is the centre of the Lusatia Lake District. Former excavation and mining pits have been flooded in order to create the largest artificial lake system in Europe, with a total of 23 large lakes. The water sports area "Senftenberger See", with its water surface of 1,300 hectares, offers exceptional sailing and surfing opportunities, and it is suitable for all kinds of water sports. Senftenberg has thus become a tourist attraction within the region.
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