First Steps towards a Doctorate
At the beginning of the doctorate there are many questions: Do I want to do my doctorate individually or do I prefer a structured program? What are the prerequisites and requirements for a doctorate in my field? Which formal steps do I have to consider at the beginning and how do I enroll as a doctoral student? On this page you will find information and tips on all these questions - so that you can get off to a good start with your doctoral studies.
What Type of Doctorate Suits You?
The university offers you two options: you can pursue a classic individual doctorate with the support of a doctoral supervisor as experts in your field, or you can choose from our more than 30 structured doctoral programs. Structured doctoral programs combine excellent scientific framework conditions with individual supervision by experienced researchers in your field - supplemented by continuous exchange and regular meetings with your supervisors.
How to obtain your PhD in Germany
Bild © Research in Germany / YouTube
The individual doctorate
As a full-spectrum university, the University of Bonn offers a wide range of subjects in which every professor can be considered as a possible supervisor for your doctoral thesis. Find out about the numerous research fields that are covered in the seven faculties of the university. Talk to one of our professors with your idea for your dissertation project.
Doing a doctorate in a structured doctoral program
Each of our structured doctoral programs offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary curriculum that encourages you to reach your full potential and prepare for a successful career. The programs include innovative, personal support with regular progress reviews as well as extensive opportunities to expand your research network and establish contacts in your research field.
27.3%
International Doctoral Students
587
Doctoral Degrees in 2023
53.8%
Female Doctoral Students
Formal Steps towards Your Doctorate
There are three important formal steps to be followed on the way to a successful doctorate. In this video you will learn which steps these are and what you have to do to get off to a successful start with your doctoral studies.
Formal steps towards a doctorate
Bild © Universität Bonn / YouTube
01.
Confirmation of Supervision
Find a supervisor at the University of Bonn and obtain a signed confirmation of supervision from him or her. The faculties have their own templates ready for this. Contact your faculty's doctoral office.
02.
Registration at the Faculty
Contact the doctoral office of your faculty with the written confirmation of supervision. Additional documents may be required. Find out about this in advance. If the registration is successful, you will receive a letter of admission within four to eight weeks.
03.
Enrollment as Doctoral Student
As soon as you have received the letter of admission, you can enroll as a doctoral student. You can get more information about the documents you need from the Enrollment Office.
Doctoral Offices and Regulations
Each faculty determines its own doctoral regulations, the prerequisites and requirements for the doctorate. Below you will find a link to these regulations as well as the contact details of contact persons for questions about the doctoral degree regulations for each faculty and for registration in the doctoral office.
Doctoral Degree Regulations and Contacts of the Doctoral Offices
- Doctoral Degree Regulations66 (in German)6
Contact
Dr. Hanno Dockter
Further information on the doctoral program at the Faculty of Catholic Theology can be found here [in German].
- Reading version of the Doctoral Degree Regulations 77(English version for reference only)7
- Doctoral Degree Regulations 88, 81. Amendement9, 2. Amendement10101076 (in German)
- Doctoral Degree Regulations for PhD (Philosophiae Doctor) (in German)
- Habilitation Regulations (in German)
Contact
Iris Hanita
dekanat@ev-theol.uni-bonn.de
+49 (0228) 73 7366
Rabinstr. 8
53111 Bonn
Further information on the doctoral program at the Faculty of Protestant Theology can be found here.
- Reading version of the Doctoral Degree Regulations - Law111111 (English version for reference only)11
- Reading version of the Doctoral Degree Regulations - Economics121212 (English version for reference only)12
- Doctoral Degree Regulations - Law, 1. Amendement14141414, 2. Amendement (in German)
- Doctoral Degree Regulations - Economics151515 (in German)
- Habilitation Regulations1616 (in German)161513
Contact
Monika Sommer
dekanat@rsf.uni-bonn.de
+49 (0228) 73 9101
Adenauerallee 24-42
53113 Bonn
Further information on the doctoral program at the Faculty of Law and Economics can be found here .
- Reading version for the Doctoral Degree Regulations 2021 (Dr. med. and Dr. med. dent.)17(English version for reference only)(English version for reference only)(English version for reference only)(English version for reference only)(English version for reference only)(English version for reference only)(English version for reference only)(English version for reference only)(English version for reference only)17
- Reading version for the Doctoral Degree Regulations 2017 (Dr. med. and Dr. med. dent.) (English version for reference only)
- Reading version for the Doctoral Degree Regulations (PhD)1818 (English version for reference only)
- Reading version for the Doctoral Degree Regulations (PhD and MD/PhD)19 (English version for reference only)
1891514 - Doctoral Degree Regulations Dr. med. and Dr. med. dent. 2021 (in German)
- Doctoral Degree Regulations Dr. med. and Dr. med. dent. 2017202019(in German)
1016 - Doctoral Degree Regulations PhD 2021181820 (in German)20191919
20 - Doctoral Degree Regulation PhD, 1. Amendement, 2. Amendement (in German)
- Doctoral Degree Regulations PhD and MD/PhD21212121202020, 1. Amendement22222222212121, 2. Amendement23232323222222, 3. Amendement24242424232323 , 4. Amendement, 5. Amendement (in German)
- Habilitations Regulation 2525252524(in German)
152120
Contact for the Dr. med. and Dr. med. dent. Doctorate
Janine Bernabei (Doctoral students A-N)
promotionsbuero.medfak@ukbonn.de
+49 (0228) 287-19203
Venusberg-Campus 1, Haus 33, 1. OG
53127 Bonn
Martina Suhre (Doctoral students O-Z)
promotionsbuero@ukbonn.de
+49 (0228) 287-19204
Venusberg-Campus 1, Haus 33, 1. OG
53127 Bonn
Contact for PhD
Sarah Funk
phd.promotionsbuero@ukbonn.de
+49 (0228) 287-10146
Venusberg-Campus 1, Haus 33, 1.OG
53127 Bonn
Contact for PhD Statistics
Aleksandra Surkova
promotionsbuero@ukbonn.de
Venusberg-Campus 1, Haus 33, 1.OG
53127 Bonn
Further information on the doctoral program at the Faculty of Medicine can be found here.
Further information on the Dr. med. & Dr. med. dent. doctoral program at the Faculty of Medicine can be found here.
- Doctoral Degree Regulations and further information262625, 1. Amendement, 2. Amendement, 3. Amendement29 (in German)
- Habilitation Regulation 3030(in German)2928
26
Contact
Dipl.-Psych. Anke Piel and Sophie Lentz
pfprom@uni-bonn.de
+49 (0228) 73 7268
Rabinstr. 8
53111 Bonn
Further information on the doctoral program at the Faculty of Arts can be found here.
- Amendment and New Announcement of the Doctoral Degree Regulations 2023 (in German)
- Reading version of the 3131Doctoral Degree Regulations (2011)3131(in German)3130
292127 - Doctoral Degree Regulations 2022 (in German)
- Doctoral Degree Regulations 2022 (English version for reference only)
- Doctoral Degree Regulations 20113232 (English version for reference only)
2228 - Habilitation Regulation 333333 (in German)33
2329
Contact
Jorg Wenniges (Doctoral students A-F)
promotion.mnf@uni-bonn.de
+49 (0228) 73 2232
Wegelerstr. 10, Raum 0.012
53115 Bonn
Claudie Schmidt (Doctoral students G-O)
promotion.mnf@uni-bonn.de
+49 (0228) 73 68731
Wegelerstr. 10, Raum 0.013
53115 Bonn
Karina Limbach (Doctoral students P-Z)
promotion.mnf@uni-bonn.de
+49 (0228) 73 68741
Wegelerstr. 10, Raum 0.013
53115 Bonn
Further information on the doctoral program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences can be found here .
- Reading version of the Doctoral Degree Regulations3434 (English version for reference only)32243030
- Doctoral Degree Regulations3535, 1. Amendement36363534, 2. Amendement37373635, 3. Amendement38383736 (in German)
273333 - Habilitation Regulations39393837 (in German)
283434
Contact
Henning Selig
promotionsbuero@lwf.uni-bonn.de
+49 (0228) 73 2867
Meckenheimer Allee 174
53115 Bonn
Further information on the doctoral program at the Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional, and Engineering Sciences can be found here .
PhD Statistics
Information on the registration of doctoral students and the current questionnaire.
Support during Your Doctoral Studies
Learn more about the comprehensive support offers during your doctorate. Find out more about the Doctorate plus qualification program, our funding lines and individual advice and coaching offers for doctoral candidates.
From all over the world to Bonn
The International Office will support you on the way to a successful doctorate even before your arrival. Find out about visas, health insurance and finding accommodation.
Contact
Sandra Papel
Dr. Robert Radu
Also see
Life in Bonn
There is life outside the lecture hall and laboratory— and what a life! The City of Bonn and the Rhineland region has much to offer; the University also makes its own contribution to this mix.