With all the talk going around regarding the validity of a Fachhochschule degree vis-à-vis doing a Ph.D., we thought it better to refer our dear readers to the “Bologna Process”. This is the process that is being undertaken at universities across Europe, in order to standardize the system of education offered by various European Universities. Till recently, it was practically nearly impossible (although there were exceptions) for a holder of a FH Master’s degree to do Ph.D. within Germany and also in many other countries (U.K. being among the exceptions). But with the Bologna Process underway, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Under this process, the degrees from a FH are being standardized vis-à-vis a TU degree, thus enabling the students with a Master’s from an FH to do a Ph.D. within Germany. True, there have already been a few exceptions, what with some FH students doing Ph.D. in Germany, but they were just exceptions. But the situation is changing. For the better.

Please read more about the Bologna Process from the Wikipedia article at the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bologna_Process. Of more interest would be the section corresponding to Germany (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bologna_Process#Germany).

But still, admission to a Ph.D. depends on the Professor under whom you would like to do your doctoral thesis, and rests solely at his own discretion. But at the least, there will be no more legal or procedural wrangles standing in your way.

Best of luck.
Cheers,

Bhuvan for de-orient.com