skip to content

Admission and enrollment

Admission to doctoral studies and enrolment as a doctoral candidate at the University of Cologne are two separate steps that are carried out by two different offices. You can only enrol at the Student Application and Registration Office or via the International Office once you have been admitted by the Faculty.

First step: admission

The most important basis for your application for admission to doctoral studies - regardless of whether you come to the University of Cologne from abroad or are based in Germany - is written confirmation from a university lecturer that he or she will supervise your doctoral thesis (confirmation of supervision). With this confirmation of supervision, you can apply for admission to doctoral studies directly at the doctoral office of the relevant Faculty. If you are coming to the University of Cologne from abroad, please submit the above-mentioned documents to the International Office, which will forward them for you. Other required documents and the deadlines to be observed depend on the doctoral regulations of the Faculty at which you wish to do your doctorate. The doctoral regulations can be found on the Faculties' websites.
If you have any questions about the doctoral regulations, you are welcome to contact the doctoral offices of the Faculties. The websites of the doctoral offices can be found here:

The decision on your application for admission to doctoral dissertation is made by the doctoral committee of the respective Faculty. As soon as you have received confirmation of your admission to doctoral studies, you can enrol at the university. Please refer to the doctoral regulations that apply to you or enquire at the doctoral office of your Faculty to find out whether and for how long you have to enrol and what advantages this entails.

 

Second step: Enrollment

Enrolement procedure for doctoral candidates from Germany

The Student Application and Registration Office is responsible for the enrolment of doctoral candidates from Germany. Please enquire there about all the necessary documents.

 

Immatriculation procedure for international doctoral candidates

Applicants from abroad should also contact the International Office for enrolment. If you would like detailed advice, it is best to use the contact form  of the International Office.