Requirements

Which documents do I have to provide?

1. Online application form

The online application form allows you to enter all required information and to upload corresponding documents (see below). You may save, revisit and modify your application at any time prior to final submission. Please keep in mind that your application can only be submitted once both letters of recommendation have been submitted before the application deadline.

After submission, you will no longer be able to edit your application. However, you still will be able to change account settings (name, password and email). Your submitted data will be available to view throughout the application process. In addition, you can download a summary PDF file of your application (without the letters of recommendation).

2. Documents

Required documents:

Curriculum Vitae (PDF file, max. 2-3 pages, written in English)
Two letters of recommendation (more details see below)
Transcript (record of study) and degree certificate for all completed degrees. If provided by the university, please also upload the supplementary information
Temporary/provisional transcripts for degree programs, you are currently enrolled in

Recommend additional documents:

Certificate of proficiency in English (unless you are native English speaker, see details below)
Information about relevant scholarships, prizes and awards (in case you do have some) you have received during your academic education
A GRE general test: We particularly recommend a GRE general test if you studied outside the EU. For applicants from India we also accept GATE as an alternative.
Copy of passport (specifically recommended if you are an international candidate not residing in the EU)
It is also possible to upload a portrait picture in your account, that will be displayed in your application file in case you wish to do so

Accepted file formats:

The following file types are accepted: pdf, jpg and png. Uploads have a size restriction of 4 MB each. We recommend that you scan documents with 300dpi. If a document consists of more than one page, please combine these pages into a single PDF document. If you do not have a pdf converter (such as Adobe Acrobat Professional) installed on your computer, please use any online PDF converter (for example the free online2PDF.com or PDF24).

Translation of documents: All required documents must be either in English or in German or have to be translated into one of these languages by a certified translator or university officials. If documents are translated, please submit a scan of the original document and the translation.

For all recommended documents non-certified translations are sufficient.

3. Letters of recommendation

Applicants need to name and invite two referees through the online application platform. We recommend that you personally contact your referees before triggering the email invitations. Please keep in mind that you cannot submit your application, without prior submission of two letters of recommendation. Incomplete and unsubmitted applications cannot be processed any further. It is in your interest, to ensure that the referees submit the letters of recommendation before the deadline to also ensure that you still have time left to submit the online application form.

4. Language skills requirements

Successful candidates need to be fluent in written and spoken English and, unless native speakers, should document their proficiency in English. Ideally, this can be achieved with a TOEFL report, an IELTS report or a Cambridge ESOL certificate (equivalent language tests are also accepted). If an English proficiency test cannot be provided, applicants should describe their English skills in the application form and explain why they think their English skills are sufficient to successfully complete doctoral studies at IMPRS-ML. In that case it is helpful, if your academic training was in English or if you spend extended periods of time in an English speaking country.

Minimal scores:
We expect language proficiency test scores that are at or above the listed minimal scores in all subsections

TOEFL iBT
Minimal score overall: 80
Reading: 20, Listening: 20, Speaking: 20, Writing: 20

IELTS
Minimal band score overall: 6.5
Reading: 6.5, Listening: 6.5, Speaking: 6.5, Writing: 6.5

CEFR levels (Cambridge ESOL) (details see here)
Minimal score overall: upper B2 (175-179) or higher (C1 or C2)

German language skills are not required, however, interested international doctoral students are invited to take German language courses funded by IMPRS-ML.