The individual doctorate is the most common path in Germany. Doctoral candidates work on their research projects largely on their individual schedule and are typically supervised by one professor.
A structured doctoral program, on the other hand, takes place within a research training group, a graduate school, or a doctoral program. It is usually characterized by a disciplinary framework, fixed supervision structures, and accompanying professional development opportunities.

A doctorate on the job is designed for individuals who are pursuing a doctorate while working e.g. outside of academia or without a connection to their doctoral studies. It can be organized as an individual doctorate or as part of a structured program and requires careful time management.

The term “collaborative doctoral program” is typically used to describe situations in which universities of applied sciences and universities or other institutions authorized to grant doctoral degrees collaborate. In such cases, the doctoral candidate is often supervised jointly by several participants from the institutions involved.

A doctorate with an industry partner combines scientific research with a position at a company. The project is affiliated with an institution authorized to grant doctoral degrees, while the research is conducted entirely or partially in collaboration with a company.

It is also possible to pursue a doctoral degree in cooperation with a non-university research institution, provided that the research project is academically aligned with that institution. However, the doctoral degree is generally awarded by a university authorized to grant doctoral degrees. Various forms of doctoral studies are possible, such as independent doctoral research, structured programs, or collaboration with a company.