Preparing for a doctoral degree

The decision to embark upon a doctoral degree should always be carefully considered. As well as demanding a lot of work and time, the doctoral phase requires a great deal of self-discipline and determination. Candidates should therefore ask themselves what their motivations and expectations are before deciding to do a doctoral degree on a research topic.

What else should be considered?

To start with, you should consider whether you meet the formal prerequisites for a doctoral degree and what routes are open to you. You can then start to think about possible dissertation topics and find an academic supervisor.

You should certainly find out as much as possible in advance about how the doctoral process works within your faculty. It is a good idea to study the doctoral regulations carefully. Among other things, this will explain the prerequisites for admission to a doctoral programme and the work to be carried out to obtain a doctoral degree. Many universities now also offer individual consultations to help you decide whether a doctorate is for you.

The amount of work and time involved in a doctoral degree makes it essential to consider the subject of finance well in advance.

[Translate to English:] Studierende an der Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) (Foto: Heide Fest/Europa-Universität Viadrina)

Basic requirements

The basic requirement for admission to a doctoral programme at a university is a university degree. Degrees obtained in other countries must be recognised by the university.

Admission requirements
[Translate to English:] Beratungssituation an der Katholischen Universität Eichtstätt-Ingolstadt (Foto: Marcel Sahlmen/Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt)

Supervision

Qualified supervision is essential to the success of your doctoral project. There are a few important aspects to consider when choosing a suitable supervisor (also known as a doctoral advisor).

Supervision