Chemnitz UT: International Office: Scientists: Welcome Centre: Research: Doctorate
Doctorate
The aim of the doctorate is to acquire a doctoral degree. Only about 100 universities of the 400 universities in Germany are authorized to grant doctoral degrees. The right to award them is one of the main characteristics in Germany to distinguish the “universities” in the restricted sense from the other universities. Chemnitz University of Technology belongs to the first group.
The regulation of PhD matters in Germany is made by the departments of the universities that elaborate “doctoral degree regulations” for this purpose. The decision about the admission of a candidate and the recognition of diplomas and qualifications is made by the doctorate commitees at the departments. A list of all doctoral degrees awarded at Chemnitz University of Technology with links to the relevant regulations can be looked up here.
One of the basic requirements for the admission to a doctorate is normally an excellent university diploma which is recognized in Germany and which corresponds to a German Master degree on the one hand and the commitment of a professor that he will supervise the doctoral project on the other. In Saxony it is also possible to be admitted to a doctorate only with a bachelor degree if the candidate passes an aptitude assessment test before.
For being admitted to a doctorate there has to be filed an application for admission to the doctorate committee of the respective department. The necessary documents include normally a curriculum vitae, final degree certificates, an essay of the theme of the prospective thesis as well as the certification of a professor that he will supervise the project. For details please have a look at the appropriate doctoral degree regulations.
In the case that the doctorate committee approves the fulfilment of all requirements it will accord the admission for doctorate. At Chemnitz University of Technology doctoral candidates have got the opportunity to enrol as doctorate students. Applying at the Student Office is possible at any time. The following documents have to be submitted:
- Application for admission to studies for international applicants
- legally attested copy of the secondary school leaving certificate including a proof of subjects and grades in original version in German resp. English translation
- proof of sucessfully completed studies at a university including duration of studies and proof of subjects and grades
- proof of university degree(s) acquired (diploma, master etc.)
- written confirmation of a professor to overtake the supervision of the doctorate student (Supervisor committment)
- written confirmation of the supervisor confirming sufficient language proficiency for the studies
After having paid the obligatory semester contribution, doctorate students benefit from the same conditions as regular students (i.a. semester ticket for using the public transport in whole Saxony, lower prices for meals at the dining hall). Normally doctorate students are allowed to enrol for 3 years but prolongations are possible on application and provided the confirmation by the respective doctorate committee. Further information may be given by the Student Office.
During their doctorate at Chemnitz University of Technology candidates have the opportunity to take part at interdisciplinary seminars and workshops for additional qualifications at the Research Academy which offers also individual consulting services concerning support and financing possibilities.
In addition to that the Welcome Centre at Chemnitz University of Technology offers further training seminars and workshops especially made for scientists from abroad (Effective Knowledge Transfer, Intercultural Training, Time Management, Application for employment in Germany , Teammanagement).
Not only the admission but also the preconditions and the procedure of the doctorate are defined in the doctoral degree regulations of the departments. One of the basic requirements is that the thesis is accepted by the department. Furthermore the ideas developed within the thesis have to be defended in an oral examination (Disputatio). Depending on the respective regulations there may also be an additional general non-public examination concerning other fields of the subject (Rigorosum).
After having passed these examinations the candidate has to publish his thesis before the doctoral degree can be awarded. Chemnitz University of Technology offers excellent opportunities for that with an own publishing service and an own electronic repository for scientific publications. Further information will be given by the University Library.
