The doctoral degree programme (PhD)
«
But one require the explorer furnish proofs. For example, if the discovery in question is that of a large mountain, one requires that large stones be brought back from it.» Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Prerequisites
The doctoral degree programme leads to the world of research. Research means asking questions to which satisfying answers have not yet been found. With a relevant consecutive Master’s or comparable degree from a university, you have satisfied the necessary prerequisites. The doctoral degree programmes are semi-structured and their contents build upon the Master's degree programmes offered at the Graduate School. Very good academic performance in your first and second degrees consisting of 300 ECTS credits or comparable academic performance is required in order to qualify.
Structure of the programme
The doctoral degree programme is divided into a preparation and a dissertation phase. The preparation phase is a profile-related curricular part of the course of study and focuses on the fostering and development of methodical, technical and interdisciplinary competencies and key qualifications. In the dissertation phase an independent academic accomplishment in the form of a dissertation is written and presented. The dissertation is concluded with a public disputation (defence).
Study and career
Doctoral students are students and also active professionally as qualified junior academics. They are to be actively included in the teaching activity of the university and as research staff in the research activities of an institute. These activities serve to prepare them for a later academic career. The execution of the dissertation outside the university is therefore only possible in well-founded exceptional cases. The advisor and the doctoral commission have to agree. If professional work is undertaken outside the university, it must be possible to conduct the course of study and research work within the timeframe provided. This requires that the workload at the job be greatly reduced (recommendation: workload maximum 50%). The research contents and professional work have to be in the same subject area.
Study counselling and prepartion of the application
If you plan an application it is absolutely necessary to contact the advisory service. Further more and most important are personal meetings with your proposed supervisor to evaluate possibilities. You have to submit an exposé with a detailed description of your proposed research activities. The preparation process takes several months. Further information about the application procedure: Application (e.g. counselling, forms, guideline, closing dates for application).