The University of Cologne (UoC) is committed to creating the best possible conditions for doctoral studies. With approximately 3,300 registered doctoral candidates (ca. 700 degrees per year), the scientific qualification of doctoral candidates and their career advancement are an important task of the UoC. This requires a coordinated interaction of subject-related and interdisciplinary expertise. The UoC has therefore created a sustainable, comprehensive network of currently 47 graduate schools and doctoral programmes. It builds on the UoC graduate schools of the six Faculties and the Centre of Teacher Education and also includes the graduate schools established together with non-university research institutions as well as doctoral programmes funded by third parties.

The AMC offers interdisciplinary advice, courses and programmes as well as networking opportunities for all UoC doctoral candidates and is responsible for interdisciplinary aspects of quality assurance.