The following explanations provide a general overview for those interested in doing a doctorate. The procedures may vary depending on the Faculty, subject area and type of doctoral programme. Read more

A doctorate can be financed either by working at a chair at the University of Cologne (so-called internal doctorate), with the help of a doctoral scholarship or by working outside the university (so-called external doctorate). Read more

In principle, admission to doctoral studies at the University of Cologne requires an above-average degree in a relevant subject. Read more

In most subjects, working on a dissertation project takes at least three years and involves ups and downs. It is therefore important to have the right academic and personal supervisor at your side to accompany this process. Read more

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 bodies. Read more

If you come from a country within the European Union as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, you do not need a visa or residence permit to enter Germany. Read more

Doctoral candidates who receive a scholarship and do not pursue any other employment must take out statutory or private insurance themselves in the status of so-called 'voluntarily insured persons'. Read more

Finding affordable accommodation in Cologne can be a major challenge. The demand for accommodation in Cologne is particularly high at the start of the semester. Read more

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The University of Cologne would like to provide special support for academics with children. It therefore offers comprehensive support and provides special financial support and targeted childcare services. Read more

Early Career Researchers with a disability or chronic illness face special challenges during their qualification. The University of Cologne provides you with support by providing information, advice and by putting you in touch with the right contacts. Read more

Docfile was developed in close cooperation with the faculties in order to administrate your doctorate digitally from the application for admission as a doctoral candidate to the printing of the doctoral certificate. Read more

The University of Cologne is organised into six Faculties. Each of the six Faculties has its own doctoral regulations, its own doctoral committee and its own doctoral office. Read more

This path to a doctorate is still the most common way of 'doing a doctorate' in Germany. Those interested in doing a doctorate contact a professor individually and write their dissertation in a self-organized manner and independently of a fixed programme. Read more

TThe number of doctoral programmes at the University of Cologne has increased significantly in recent years. The programmes have different formats and forms of funding and therefore have different names (Research Training Group, Graduate School, International Research Training Group, Innovative Training Group, Research School, etc.). Many of these programmes are cooperation projects between the University of Cologne and non-university institutions such as Max Planck Institutes or Helmholtz Centers. Read more

A confirmation of supervision is a short confirmation from a professor stating that he/she is willing to supervise your doctoral thesis. Such a confirmation of supervision is usually required by the Faculties for admission as a doctoral candidate. Read more

The central support instrument is meeting with your supervisor. Your supervisor should therefore be available at regular intervals for professional dialogue and advice. If you are employed at your supervisor's department, regular contact will usually occur automatically and you can also clarify minor questions on the fly. Read more

The personnel development meeting (PDD) is a confidential one-to-one meeting between employees and their direct HR managers that takes place once a year. You are therefore also entitled to it if you are employed at the University of Cologne in addition to your doctorate. Read more

Each Faculty of the University of Cologne appoints two doctoral representatives. These serve as contact for all doctoral candidates within their respective Faculty and express their needs and interests. Read more