A letter of support ("Betreuungszusage") is a signed form or short, informal statement by a professor, declaring that he or she is willing to supervise your thesis project. Such a letter is usually required for admission as a doctoral candidate in the faculties. Read more

Discussing the doctoral project one-to-one with your supervisor is a fundamental part of good supervision. Regardless of whether you are pursuing a doctorate as an internal or an external candidate, in a structured program or through individual doctoral studies, it is crucial for you and your supervisor to meet at least once or twice a year for detailed scientific discussions about the progress and challenges of your project, as well as possible next steps. In your supervision agreement, you may define the frequency of these progress report meetings. Doctoral candidates should prepare such meetings well. Read more

The personnel development dialogue (PDD) is an annual, confidential, one-on-one meeting between employees and their immediate supervisor. Accordingly, you are also entitled to it if you are also employed at the University of Cologne in addition to your doctorate. Read more

While working on your dissertation project, disagreements with your supervisor may arise. If so, make an appointment with your supervisor and raise your concerns as early and informally as possible.  Misunderstandings or unspoken expectations are often the reason for negative tension and conflicts between people.

If despite everyone's best efforts problems remain unresolved, you may consider approaching or inviting a third person for a joint discussion. Read more

The University of Cologne seeks to provide special support for young scientists and researchers with children and offers a variety of support services, childcare and counseling.

In many Graduate Schools and doctoral programs, doctoral candidates with children who hold a scholarship receive additional allowance and/or an extension of funding. You can also convert your scholarship or a grant into a part-time scholarship with extended duration. Read more

Each faculty of the University of Cologne appoints two doctoral candidate representatives. These serve as contact for all doctoral candidates within their respective faculty and as ambassadors for their needs and interests.

Although doctoral candidates do not constitute a formal status group at the University of Cologne, their representatives work closely with the Albertus Magnus Center and participate in several regular meetings. Thus, they form an important link between doctoral candidates as a whole, the Albertus Magnus Center, the Deans and the Rectorate. Read more

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