Doctoral studies

On the following pages, the course of the doctoral examination procedure is presented along with typical questions and problems.


Conditions for admission to doctoral studies

As a general rule, admission to doctoral studies is conditional on having passed an examination in the doctoral subject with distinction, i.e. with a grade of “3” (satisfactory) or higher, at an academic higher education institution within the jurisdiction of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany (State Examination, Magister, Diploma or accredited Masters degree programme), which requires a minimum study period of eight semesters.

Whether other higher education qualifications are the same or equivalent is decided by the Doctoral Committee. If necessary, the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB - Zentralstelle für Ausländisches Bildungswesen) must be consulted.