Mobility and career plans of international doctoral students in Germany
The article explores the mobility and career plans of international doctoral students in Germany based on the latest Nacaps data. Large numbers of international doctoral students are enrolled at German universities and demonstrate a strong research focus: 63% intend to remain in academia after completing their doctorate, as opposed to just 25% of their domestic peers. Analyses within individual subject groups reveal that this discrepancy cannot be attributed to different subjects in terms of students' intent to stay. The preference of international doctoral students for the scientific sector is also reflected in their career goals: 30% are aiming for a professorship, compared to only about 11% of domestic doctoral students. At the same time, there is a marked uncertainty regarding their future in Germany. Although 14% of international doctoral students plan to remain in Germany, another 24% are considering leaving the country permanently, while approximately half are still undecided. The spotlight thus illustrates both the potential of international doctoral students for the German science landscape as well as the need to create favourable conditions to retain this potential in the long term.
weitere Infos
Schiffer-Fiedler, I., & Muschik, M. L. (2025). Mobility and career plans of international doctoral students in Germany. In N. Netz, J. Kercher, N. Knüttgen & I. Fuge (Hg.), Wissenschaft weltoffen. Facts and Figures on the International Nature of Studies and Research in Germany and Worldwide (S. 80-83). wbv Publikation. https://doi.org/10.3278/7004002xew002
Bibliografische Angaben
- Auflage: 1
- Erscheinungsdatum: 19.03.2026
- Umfang: 4 Seiten
- Artikelnr: 7004002xew002
- ISBN E-Book (PDF): 9783763979554
- DOI (E-Book-Teilbeitrag): 10.3278/7004002xew002
- Imprint: wbv Publikation
- Sprache: Deutsch
- Lizenzhinweis:
- Autor(en): Isabelle Schiffer-Fiedler, Marie Lena Muschik