FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

The MPS of BMAI combines excellent doctoral research with a structured interdisciplinary training program at the interface of artificial intelligence and the life sciences. You will work with internationally leading researchers, benefit from dual supervision, participate in advanced training and networking events, and become part of a nationwide research network spanning leading universities and research institutions. Thereby, the program prepares you for successful careers in academia, industry, and beyond.

Please feel free to contact our coordination team bmai@maxplanckschools.de

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You will graduate with the German equivalent of a PhD, a Dr. rer. nat., or a Dr.-Ing., which are worldwide recognized as a PhD.

No. The Max Planck School of Biomedical AI is a doctoral program and does not offer a Master's degree. Applicants therefore need to hold a completed Master's degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) before entering the program.

We accept up to 25 PhD students annually in the program.

The PhD program always starts in September the year after you apply.

The school funds your PhD for three years. If an extension to complete your PhD is possible, it has to be discussed with and depends on your primary supervisor

During your 3-years as a PhD student of the MPS of BMAI, you will receive a contract according to the local Wage Agreement for Public Service (E13). Additional useful information regarding finances in Germany can be found here.

The location of your PhD depends on the site of your primary supervisor’s institution. Hence, by choosing a supervisor, you also choose the site of your PhD studies.

No. Your initial selection of preferred supervisors is not binding. This selection helps us to understand your research interests and ensure that candidates are considered across the different research areas. If shortlisted, you will receive the available PhD topics and have the opportunity to talk to potential supervisors. You can then revise your preferences before the final matching.

Yes, the official language of the school is English, and therefore, all courses, events, and communication are in English.

Yes, solid knowledge of the English language is necessary for your success in the program, as it will be conducted entirely in English. The accepted proof of English proficiency is:

• TOEFL Paper-based 570 out of 677 points¹
• TOEFL internet-based (IBT) - minimum 90 out of 120 points¹
• IELTS - In person or online; minimum band score of 6.5*
• UNIcert® - minimum UNIcert® II with a minimum grade of 2.3¹
• NULTE - minimum B2+¹
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) - minimum grade C¹
• Successful completion of the German Abitur, passing English courses throughout the final two years
• At least two years of study or professional stay in an English-speaking country
• Successful completion of a study program (Bachelor's or Master's) where the language of instruction was only English

¹ Test scores must be dated within four years of your application submission. Please note, proof of English proficiency is not mandatory at the time of application, but required for final admission to the program. If you are unable to complete the examination before submitting your application, please indicate that it will be taken at a later date. All final scores must be submitted no later than July 15th before your start in the program.

No, test scores are not required at the time of application. If you plan on taking the test at a later time point, please indicate this in the application portal. However, all final scores must be submitted no later than July 15, before your start in the program.

No, German language skills are not required. The program is fully in English.

To be eligible for the PhD program, prior to the beginning of the program, you must have completed or will complete a Master’s degree (M.Sc., M. Eng. or equivalent) in computer science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, physics, or a related field. Candidates from the life sciences are also eligible if they have demonstrated strong computational training or significant programming experience during their studies.

You will have to submit the following documents in the application portal:

• Certificates and transcript of Bachelor’s degree (B. Sc., B. Eng. or equivalent) with certified English or German translations if not originally issued in English or German
• Certificates or proof of current enrollment and transcript of Master’s degree (M. Sc., M. Eng. or equivalent) with certified English or German translations if not originally issued in English or German
• Copy of your passport or identity card
• Academic curriculum vitae in English
• Motivation letter in English
• Names of up to three potential supervisors from the list of Max Planck School of BMAI fellows
• Contact details of two referees for recommendations. Please note that the deadline of the application call also applies to the referees.
• Evidence of your English language proficiency (See FAQs on language proficiency for details)

Yes, you can apply with a current transcript (and its translations if not in English or German), but you must provide the final transcript and graduation certificate prior to the start of the program.

There are no limitations on the time elapsed after your last degree. You should be able to explain why you have decided to apply for the PhD studies in the MPS of BMAI (especially after a longer gap) in your motivation letter.

We look for applicants with excellent educational qualifications and a high passion for interdisciplinary science.

You can apply to the Max Planck School of BMAI only through the online application portal on the Application page. If accessing the portal for the first time, you will need to create an account and choose “Max Planck School of Biomedical AI - PhD”.

The online application portal is open from September 1 to December 1 (11:59 pm CET) for entering the PhD program in September of the following year. Application at another time is not possible.

Application is only possible through our online application portal. The link to the portal will be available on our website in the application section.

1) December – January: Your application will be evaluated for fit to the program based on your grades, coursework, experience, recommendations and motivation letter.
2) January – March: Suitable candidates will be invited for interviews and PhD topics are introduced to the candidates. Details on the interview process will be shared with shortlisted  candidates.
3) March - April: The best-suited candidates (up to 25) will be matched to a PhD project and supervisor.

You will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt after submitting your online application. Please note, that this confirmation is independent from whether your referees have submitted the reference questionaire, so please follow up with them if their submission is missing. All applicants receive notice on the progression of their application process latest by February. Shortlisted applicants will then receive additional details on the next step, the interview phase of the selection process. Final decisions on acceptance will be made by April.

Referees must submit their recommendations by December 10.

It is advised that you confirm ahead of time that your referee can act as a reference for you. The referees will receive an automatic email with a link to submit a recommendation questionaire once you filled in their contacts. We will not send follow up emails. Hence, it is advisable that you follow-up with your referees if their submission is missing. If the automatic email does not appear in the inbox, checking the spam folder is recommended.

No, it will not be possible for you to change the referee’s name or contact details. In case of misspelling, please reach out to the coordination team.

Yes. Each schools has an independent application processes. Hence, if you are interested in multiple programmes apply to the other schools separately. Each applications is treated independently.
 

• Certificates/Diplomas of all higher education degrees obtained (Bachelor, Master, or equivalent) in English or German^{2, 3}.
• Proof of current enrollment if Master’s degree is still ongoing (official statement and/or transcript) in English or German.
• Transcripts of completed and/or ongoing degrees in English or German^{2, 3}.
• Letter of motivation in English – to be filled out directly within the application portal
• Academic CV
• Contact details of two referees for recommendations.
• For non-native English speakers, English language proficiency must be demonstrated by one of the following English language tests or applicable study: TOEFL iBT, IELTS, UNIcert®, NULTE, Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (see FAQs on language proficiency for further details) OR proof of completion of the German "Abitur" with comprehensive coverage of the English language, an English language bachelor or master program or at least two years of relevant study/work in an English speaking country.¹

¹ Test scores must be dated within four years of your application submission. Please note, proof of English proficiency is not mandatory at the time of application, but required for final admission to the program. If you are unable to complete the examination before submitting your application, please indicate that it will be taken at a later date. All final scores must be submitted no later than July 15th before your start in the program.
² Scanned copies of originals are accepted. Unofficial transcripts are not accepted, and your application will be rejected.
³ If your transcript and diploma/certificate are not in German or English, you also have to attach an official translation.
 

As transcripts and certificates are only accepted in German or English, documents in other languages have to be submitted along with a certified translation.

 Certified translations include:

• Translations issued by your university directly
• Translations by a sworn translator (vereidigter Übersetzer) in Germany
• Translations issued by a translator who is officially recognised in another country
• Translations certified by a German embassy or consulate (if permitted in that country).
   

These are not accepted as certified translations:

• Self-translations OR translations prepared by relatives or friends.
• Notarised copies of an unofficial translation.
• Machine translations (for example, Google Translate or DeepL).

Contacting a Fellow or us will not alter your chance of acceptance. However, if you have any questions regarding the program or the application process, you are welcome to contact the Schools coordination office. We are happy to help.

No. All admitted students must have completed their Master’s degree before the start of the program.

Your grades will be converted to the German grading system based on the modified Bavarian formula. Therefore, you have to submit the grading scheme of your university in the application portal.

You will need to upload the Grading Scheme and Program Curriculum. We encourage all international applicants to upload this to facilitate the conversion of your grades to the German grading system. This document should be in either German or English. In case of any other languages, please upload the original AND the translation (either German or English); self-translations are accepted only for these documents. 

If this is the case, please provide the following information when filling in the application: Duration of your study program as well as the minimum number of credits (or corresponding units) that is needed to complete your program. Please fill these in carefully, as it serves for ECTS conversion of your transcript.

No. You have to either submit a preliminary transcript (a PDF version of your transcript is sufficient) or the final transcript issued by your educational institution.

No, there are no recommendation letters required. However, you have to provide the contact details of two referees who will then fill out a recommendation questionnaire directly in the application portal. 

You might need verification by the Academic Evaluation Center (APS), but only after you are selected for the program. This requirement depends on your final host institution. The APS certificate can only be requested after receiving the acceptance letter and is not required at the time of your application.

No, you do not need to submit verification by the Academic Evaluation Center (APS).