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Fast-Track Program

Master’s degree and doctorate in 4 years, funding included

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence established its Fast-Track Program to give outstanding students an opportunity to complete their master’s degree and doctoral studies simultaneously and within a 4-year period. This also enables recipients to shorten their qualification phase by one year and to fast-track their pursuit of an academic career.

The program is divided into 2 phases: Recipients receive €1,468 per month for the first 2 years. For the following 2 years, it is planned that recipients are employed as research associates at the University of Hamburg.

TThe funding was announced annually between 2020 and 2024. The Hamburg Research Academy coordinates the programs and supports recipients with high quality qualification and networking opportunities. The Fast-Track Program is part of the Hanse-Wissenschaftskarriere (Hanseatic academic career) at the University of Hamburg, which is aimed at recognizing talented academics early in their development. The program is funded by the Excellence Strategy, a funding program financed by the federal and state governments.

Overview of the Fast-Track Program

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Fast track to obtaining a doctorate:
How does the Fast-Track Program work? On the following 3 slides, we summarize the most important information for you.
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Master’s degree and doctorate in 4 years:
Get started in the Fast-Track Program immediately following your bachelor’s degree: The master’s degree program is integrated into the doctoral phase. The master’s degree is completed after 2 years; the doctorate, after 4 years. In some faculties, it is possible to start at a later date during the first year of the master’s degree program. Find information on this in the respective call for applications.
Fast-Track Finanzierung
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Financing:
The program is divided into 2 phases: Recipients receive €1,468 per month for the first 2 years and, in addition, an annual €500 travel expense allowance. For the next 2 years it is planned to employ recipients as research associates in their departments.
Fast-Track Zeitplan
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Timetable:
In the first year, you complete 60 ECTS credits in the master’s degree program. After the second year, you will complete your master’s degree and apply for a position as a research associate with your supervisor. It will take you 4 years in total to complete your doctorate. The schedule may vary if you start the program later.

Information

Advantages:

  • master’s degree and doctorate in only 4 years
  • earlier start with academic career

Benefits:

  • 2-year scholarship (€1,468 per month and €500 yearly for travel expenses)
  • 2-year employment as research associate (E13 position with at least 50 percent of the regular weekly working hours)
  • exclusive qualification and networking opportunities for recipients

The Fast-Track Program targets outstanding students who are interested in an academic career.

Conditions:

  • You have completed your bachelor’s degree with outstanding results The examination certificate documents must be submitted by the end of the application period.
  • You have a place in a master’s degree program in the participating faculties for the start of Winter Semester 2023/24 or receive confirmation thereof before the application deadline. In some faculties, it is possible to start at a later date during the first year of the master’s degree program. Find information on this in the respective call for applications.
  • The master’s degree program must be in a degree program relevant to your doctoral dissertation project.

Participating faculties:

  • Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Medicine (only Research Training Group 2771: Humans and Microbes)
  • Faculty of Humanities
  • Faculty of Education
  • Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences
  • Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement Science

Advising at the Hamburg Research Academy:

Dr. Lea Eileen Pöhls coordinates the program at the Hamburg Research Academy and is happy to answer your questions.

Contacts at the faculties:

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The University’s Fast-Track Program gives outstanding students an opportunity to do their doctorate right after completing their bachelor’s degree. They receive funding and support for 2 years.

Contact

Dr. Lea Eileen Pöhls
Fast-Track Program Coordinator
Hamburg Research Academy
Tel: +49 40 42838-5386