Pursuing a Doctorate at Osnabrück University
Are you interested in pursuing a doctorate at Osnabrück University or are you already involved in one? In the following sections, we have compiled important information and documents on the subject of doctoral studies at Osnabrück University.
Prospective doctoral candidates should thoroughly read the doctoral regulations of the school in which they aim to achieve their doctorate. The specific procedural steps of the doctorate in the respective schools can be found there, from acceptance as a doctoral candidate to the award of the doctorate. A general overview of the formal steps on the path to a doctorate is given below. In addition to the doctoral regulations, the Guidelines on good research practice, the Quality standards for doctorates and the Individual Development Plan (IDP) as an extended supervision agreement are other key documents that all doctoral candidates should be familiar with. An important part of planning the doctoral phase should also be knowledge of different ways of doing a doctorate and, of course, securing doctoral funding.
The central institution for doctoral candidates at Osnabrück University is the PhD/Postdoc Career Center (ZePrOs). In addition to individual consultation, ZePrOs offers a wide range of free Courses on Key Competences to support doctoral candidates from all disciplines in the various phases of their doctorate and prepare them for later career paths. ZePrOs also organizes a Mentoring Program for Female Doctoral Candidates and supports Networking.
Planning and Shaping the Doctoral Phase
The specific requirements for a doctorate are regulated in the respective doctoral regulations of the schools.
Generally, the following degrees entitle the holder to start a doctorate:
- Completion of a degree program at a German university (Master's, state examination, Diplom or Magister)
- University degree of the First State Examination for Teacher Education
- Completion of an equivalent degree program at a foreign university
- Completion of a relevant degree course at a University of Applied Sciences
As a rule, an above-average degree is expected as proof of the ability to carry out in-depth academic work. The exact access requirements for individual subjects (e.g. grade limits, submission of exposés or further proof of the ability to carry out in-depth academic work) can be found in the doctoral regulations of the school in which you would like to pursue your doctorate. These also set out all the procedural steps for the entire doctoral process - from the confirmation of supervision and acceptance as a doctoral candidate, admission to the doctorate (written thesis and oral examination) to the publication of the doctoral thesis.
Doctoral Degree Regulations of the Schools - Only Available in German
There are three different ways of doing of doctorate at Osnabrück University. The first is the individual doctorate, where you do your doctorate without an accompanying study program. This form of doctorate is the most common.
In the field of law and in the field of nanosciences in biology, it is possible to complete the doctorate as part of a doctoral program. The work on the doctoral thesis is therefore embedded in a curriculum.
The third way is the doctorate in a Research Training Group. Research training groups are research programs in which a limited number of doctoral candidates work on doctoral theses in a specific thematic field over a fixed period of time. The work on the thesis is also accompanied by a structured program.
In addition to finding a topic and a supervisor, there is also the question of how to finance the doctorate. In general, there are two classic options for financing a doctorate, namely as part of an employment relationship at a university or by obtaining a doctoral scholarship. These two options and their respective advantages and disadvantages are briefly explained in the info boxes below. There is also an info box on funding options for international doctoral candidates.
In addition to the options of employment at the university and the doctoral scholarship, it is also possible to do a part-time doctorate, i.e. to pursue employment outside the university.
Advice on funding options for a doctorate is available from the PhD/Postdoc Career Center (ZePrOs).
A detailed overview with information on doctoral scholarships can be found in the Brochure on Doctoral Funding (PDF, 0.92 MB) (German).
Employment at the University
University Funded Positions
Doctoral candidates can work as academic staff in positions funded by the university or in a research project funded by third parties. The former are positions that are financed by university budget and are located at the schools - usually directly at the chairs. Doctoral candidates who work in these positions usually take on teaching activities and other tasks at the chair.
Third-Party Funded Positions
Third-party funded positions, on the other hand, are positions that are financed by public and private research funding institutions such as the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Volkswagen Foundation, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) or the EU and are linked to a specific research project. Third-party funded research projects cannot be acquired by doctoral candidates themselves, as they are not eligible to apply to the above-mentioned research funding institutions. However, it is not uncommon for supervisors to apply for a third-party funded project in order to support promising doctorates. In some cases, there are also vacancies in existing externally funded projects. Doctoral candidates who work in externally funded positions are often assigned project-related tasks as part of their work.
General Conditions
At Osnabrück University, positions for doctoral candidates are remunerated according to at least 0.5 TV-L - pay group 13. These employment relationships are usually initially limited to three years and include service obligations as a research assistant in a research project and/or teaching obligations. If the position is a university funded position and further academic qualification has been contractually agreed, employees are entitled to use at least one third of the agreed working hours for independent in-depth academic work (e.g. their dissertation project) as part of their official duties. This may be different for positions in externally funded projects. The exact conditions should be clarified before the contract is signed.
Advantages and Disadvantages
One of the advantages of a doctorate as part of an employment relationship is that doctoral candidates who work at the university are more intensively integrated into the scientific community and can also gain experience in research, teaching and academic self-administration. In addition, they have a higher level of social security than scholarship holders as their employment relationship is subject to social insurance contributions. A disadvantage can be that the doctoral supervisor is often also the chair of the institute and his or her work-related demands (e.g. time spent on teaching commitments or organisational tasks) may conflict with the doctoral candidates' time resources to work on their own doctoral project.
Doctoral Scholarship
Funding Organizations for Gifted Students
A large number of doctoral scholarships are awarded by the so-called Begabtenförderungswerke. The main sponsors of these organizations are the major political parties and the churches. The organizations generally accept applications from all subject areas. In addition to the high academic quality of the doctoral project and above-average academic performance, the applicant's previous social commitment is also an important selection criterion for most organizations. Corresponding social commitment, which must be in line with the individual goals of the organization, can be reflected, for example, in active participation in university committees or in associations, socially relevant projects, parties, churches and social institutions. Membership or involvement in the respective party is not required for the party funded organizations, but scholarship holders should be open to the basic ideas of the party.
Selection Procedure
Many organizations for the promotion of gifted students have a two-stage selection process: First, a pre-selection takes place based on the documents submitted in writing; the final selection is then made during selection interviews or assessment centers. The entire process can take up to six months. It is usually possible to apply to several organizations for the promotion of gifted students at the same time. However, applicants should be a very good fit for the respective funding organizations and their requirements in order to have a realistic chance of being accepted. The formal requirements for an application usually include to be already admitted or even enrolled as a doctoral candidate.
General Conditions
As the organizations work under the umbrella of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the scholarship amount for all organizations is a uniform 1,550 euros per month for 3 years, plus a 100 euro lump sum for research costs. In addition to the scholarship, many organizations offer study-related events and conferences on social topics as part of their non-material support, some of which are compulsory to attend.
You can find an overview of the organizations for the promotion of gifted students in the Doctoral Funding Brochure (PDF, 0.92 MB)(German). The Begabtenfoerderungswerke also have a joint website called StipendiumPlus and joint regulations.
Almost all of the organizations are represented locally in Osnabrück by so-called liaison lecturers. These are professors who are primarily available as contact persons for sponsored scholarship holders. Some of them are also involved in the selection processes at the organizations they are associated with.
Advantages and Disadvantages
One of the advantages of a scholarship is that doctoral candidates can devote themselves exclusively to their doctoral project. They usually complete their Doctorate more quickly than job holders, but do not gain any work experience in return. However, obtaining a scholarship for one's own research project is often seen as a distinction and a mark of quality in terms of academic work. One of the disadvantages of funding via a scholarship is that contributions to health, social and unemployment insurance etc. are not covered. In addition, direct integration into the scientific community is often not possible and scholarship holders must make their own networking efforts.
Information for (Prospective) International Doctoral Candidates
Costs of a Doctorate at Osnabrück University
Doctorates at Osnabrück University are free of charge; this applies to both individual doctorates and structured doctorates. Irrespective of this, you pay a semester fee of €361.90 (WS 2024/25) when you enrol as a doctoral candidate, which is payable every six months. In return, you will receive a student ID card, with which you can usually travel cheaper or even free of charge by bus and train, eat cheaper in the canteen and receive discounts on admission to the swimming pool or cinema, for example.
If you are doing your doctorate in Osnabrück, you will have to pay for your own living expenses (rent, food, clothing, travel costs, work materials, leisure time, etc.). Anyone applying for a visa to study in Germany must currently provide proof of a minimum income of around 11,900 euros per year. If you are enrolled at Osnabrück University, you will also have to pay the semester fees described above (€361.90 per semester).
Funding Opportunities for International Doctoral Candidates
Depending on whether you would like to spend the entire doctoral period or only part of it in Osnabrück, there are various funding options available. In principle, there is the possibility of funding through a scholarship from a German funding organization, through a funding program from your home country or home university and through employment at Osnabrück University for the duration of your research stay.
Scholarships and Funding Programs for International Doctoral Candidates
There are numerous funding opportunities for international doctoral candidates in Germany. The largest scholarship provider is the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Find the right funding opportunities for your doctoral project in the DAAD Scholarship Database. There are also a number of foundations and other funding and research organizations that support highly qualified foreign doctoral candidates.
Funding Through Academic Work/Research Activities
In addition to scholarships and funding programs, there are other ways to finance your doctorate at Osnabrück University. Find out about your employment opportunities at universities, in industry or in non-university research institutions on the Research in Germany website.
(Source: DAAD)
Confirmation of Supervision
The first step in starting a doctorate is to obtain confirmation of supervision from a university professor. Figure out in advance who is suitable for your chosen topic. Investigate the main areas of research and consider whether these fall within the scope of your doctoral topic, as you should always discuss content-related questions with your future supervisor.
The confirmation of supervision should be recorded in writing in this form Betreuungszusage (PDF, 12.81 kB) (German). You will need the completed and signed form for the next step.
Acceptance as a Doctoral Candidate
Once you have received a confirmation of supervision, you can apply for acceptance as a doctoral candidate, which is the next formal step on the path to the doctorate.
This requires you to submit an application to the doctoral committee of the school in which you would like to do your doctorate. The committee will decide on your admission as a doctoral candidate. A list of the documents that must be submitted with your application can be found in the doctoral degree regulations of the school in which you wish to pursue your doctorate. These include an outline of your CV and educational background, proof of the required degrees and - in most cases - an exposé.
Enrolling for a Doctorate
Enrolment for a doctorate requires a confirmation of supervision and acceptance of the doctoral project by the relevant school. Please register online via Osnabrück University's application portal by September 30 for the winter semester and by March 31 for the summer semester for the Doctorate of your choice.
In doctoral programs (Promotionsstudiengänge) the deadlines differ. The number of places is limited. To take part in the selection procedure, you must complete the online application and submit your documents by July 15 for the winter semester and by January 15 for the summer semester. Please check the website of the doctoral program you are interested in for potential updates on these dates.
Doctoral students must pay a semester fee each semester. If doctoral students receive a publicly funded scholarship, they are exempt from paying the administrative fee, which is included in the semester fee, in accordance with § 11 para. 1 sentence 2 no. 3 NHG.
Information for (Prospective) International Doctoral Candidates
Entry
Before you travel to Germany for your doctorate at Osnabrück University, please familiarize yourself with your entry requirements well in advance. As an EU citizen, you do not need a visa. In order to take up a doctorate in Germany as a non-EU citizen, you need a residence permit in accordance with Section 16b (1) of the Residence Act. In order to enter gainful employment in Germany as a non-EU citizen, you need a residence permit with a corresponding work permit. The processing time for a visa can take up to 3 months. It cannot be ruled out that the processing time may take longer. An early application for a visa is therefore a prerequisite for a smooth process.
To apply for a visa, you will need the following documents for the embassy:
- Confirmation of supervision from a professor
- Admission to a full-time doctorate by the university or conditional admission subject to a preparatory language course or language test
- An admission agreement signed by you and the university management
- Proof of sufficient health insurance cover
- Proof of sufficient means of subsistence (€ 11,208 per year, in the form of a declaration of commitment, scholarship promise, blocked account, employment contract, etc.)
- Identity card or passport (original)
- Birth certificate and, if applicable, marriage certificate (original)
The embassy may request further documents depending on the specific conditions of your application. In the case of authorities, translations of the documents must be in German; English documents are only sufficient in individual cases.
As the requirements and the selection of the different types of visa vary greatly, please inform yourself on the information platforms Make it in Germany and the Visa-Navigator from the German Federal Foreign Office.
The Quality Standards for Doctorates at Osnabrück University (PDF, 175 kB)were adopted by the Senate on 30.11.2011 and by the Presidential Board of Osnabrück University on 19.01.2012. They contain recommendations for conducting a doctorate at Osnabrück University with the aim of providing supervisors and doctoral candidates with clarity about their rights and obligations in the doctoral process and to support them in better assessing their mutual expectations.
The quality standards therefore also serve as the basis for the Individual Development Plan (IDP) (PDF, 1.27 MB). The IDP is an extended supervision agreement that must be concluded at the beginning of the doctorate and in which agreements between doctoral candidates and supervisors are recorded. The agreement of the IDP is additionally documented by the Confirmation of the Conclusion of an IDP (PDF, 32 kB).
In addition to questions regarding the content of the doctoral project and supervision, the IDP also addresses issues of financial security, the acquisition of further academic and key competence skills, participation in teaching, career prospects after the doctorate and principles of good research practice. The IDP should be completed no later than 6 months after acceptance as a doctoral candidate.
The quality of the doctoral process depends largely on the trusting cooperation between the supervising professor and the doctoral candidates. If the basis of trust in supervisory relationships is disturbed, conflicts can arise that delay the progress of work on the doctoral thesis, jeopardize the successful completion of the doctorate or even lead to the discontinuation of the doctoral project. In August 2013, the Senate of Osnabrück University adopted guidelines for dealing with conflicts in the area of doctoral studies, which specify procedural steps and corresponding contact points.
The guidelines provide the following steps for doctoral candidates who experience a conflict in their supervisory relationship, which are to be understood as escalation stages in their sequence. Therefore, existing offers at the previous stages should be utilized before the last stage is taken up, so that low-threshold opportunities for resolving conflicts can be explored and used:
Level 1
Conflict Resolution between Supervisors and Doctoral Candidates
The first step in dealing with conflicts in the supervisory relationship is a mutual effort to clarify the conflict in confidential discussions. In order to avoid exacerbating conflicts, difficulties and problems in the supervisory relationship between doctoral candidates and supervisors or doctoral teams should be addressed at an early stage so that possible misunderstandings and unresolved issues can be clarified promptly and solutions can be tested.
Level 2
Consultation at ZePrOs on Options and Ways to Resolve Conflicts
In the event of a conflict, ZePrOs offers doctoral candidates individual consultations on options and ways of resolving conflicts and is also available to doctoral candidates - if required - for conflict support (preparation and follow-up of conflict discussions). As part of the consultation, conflict situations are also clarified in advance and, if necessary, referred to other offices with the consent of the person seeking advice. All inquiries and cases of conflict discussed in the consultations are treated confidentially.
Level 3
Advice and Conflict Mediation by Contact Persons in the Schools
If a conflict in the supervisory relationship cannot be resolved by the parties involved in personal discussions, doctoral students and supervisors can turn to the responsible contact persons in the schools, who will support the conflicting parties in their search for solutions. All inquiries and cases of conflict submitted to the contact persons in the schools are treated confidentially.
Level 4
Consultation and Conflict Mediation by the University’s Board of Arbitration for Conflicts Arising During Doctorates
If it has not been possible to resolve the conflict at the previous stages or if there are good reasons for not going through them, doctoral candidates and supervisors can call on a crossdisciplinary Arbitration Board. The University Arbitration Board for Conflicts in Doctoral Matters (Arbitration Board) advises those seeking advice and can act as a mediating body - if both parties to the conflict so wish - to moderate a conflict and work towards an amicable solution together with the parties to the conflict. All inquiries and cases of conflict submitted to the Arbitration Board are treated confidentially. Should the Arbitration Board be called upon for mediation, the procedure is determined by guidelines formulated for this purpose, which can be found in the procedural guidelines (see pdf linked below). At the request of the parties involved, the members of the Arbitration Board can propose solutions in the mediation process. The parties themselves are responsible for implementing the conflict solution worked out during mediation. The Arbitration Board has no authority to take measures to implement and monitor the agreements reached between the parties.
Helpful documents:
Procedural Guidelines for Dealing With Conflicts in the Area of Doctorates (PDF, 385 kB)
Contact Points and Contact Persons in Cases of Conflict (PDF, 464 kB)
Contact Persons
Offers for Further Training and Career Development
As a useful addition to working on your thesis, it is also important to acquire a set of key competences during the doctoral phase. On the one hand, these can help you to successfully complete your doctorate and, on the other hand, these skills also prepare you for a career within or outside academia following your doctorate. At Osnabrück University you will find a wide range of Key Competences Courses for your career development.
Networking, Social Activities and Leisure Time
With the PhD student representative committee and the PhD interConnect project, there are two central contact points at Osnabrück University for doctoral candidates who would like to network, exchange ideas and get involved or simply take part in events for doctoral candidates. In addition, there are numerous other social activities and leisure activities in Osnabrück, both inside and outside the university. We have listed some of them in the box below.
PhD Student Representative Committee and Promos
The PhD Student Representative Committee provides a platform for interdisciplinary exchange between doctoral candidates and regularly organizes various Events to support networking. These include the regulars' table and the Christmas party for doctoral candidates as well as the Long Night of Unwritten Doctoral Theses.
The PhD student representative committee has launched a series of events on the topic of "Mental Health in the Doctorate" with workshops on various topics. The Doctorate & Mental Health page provides information on support options and event information on the topic.
The PhD student representation, Promos for short, represents the common interests of all doctoral students at Osnabrück University on an interdisciplinary level in university committees and in a non-university context.
The PhD student representative committee and the PHD student representatives (promos) welcome suggestions, requests and, of course, interested people who would like to actively participate!
Contact persons: Sören Schweers, Lara Höttecke, Bernhard Hafer, Kim Droste
Contact:
Email promos: promos@uni-osnabrueck.de
Email PhD student representative committee: fspromotion@uni-osnabrueck.de
There are plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded people both inside and outside of the university and to build up a personal network.
Are you an international student and do you have other interests that you would like to pursue in Osnabrück? Contact Teresa Gehrs to discuss your options.
Music
There are a number of Musical ensembles at Osnabrück University (Symphony Orchestra, University Choir, University Big Band, Ensemble for Contemporary Music, Chamber Choir, Unipop Choir, Drum Experience) that are always happy to welcome new members.
Languages
Tandem language learning is when two people with different mother tongues come into contact and learn each other’s language. One person’s native language is the other person’s foreign language. The Language Center’s tandem placement service brings interested individuals together.
Theater
English-language theater is provided by the Ostensibles, a group of over ten different nationalities. Ostensibles e. V. is a theater company that welcomes theater enthusiasts from all walks of life who wish to attend their twice-yearly performances or actively participate in the production.
Sport
For sports enthusiasts, the University Sports Center (Zentrum für Hochschulsport) offers opportunities to relax, improve your fitness, learn new sports or simply practice your favorite sport together. Find the right course in the Sports program.
Radio
Unifunk, the student radio station run by the Student Government of Osnabrück University, produces a variety of weekly programs that can be heard on OS-Radio every Friday evening from 19:00 to 20:00. The radio program provides an ideal platform for members of the University to express their opinions, experiences and creative talents.
Volunteering
Want to get involved? Looking for a volunteering opportunity? Do you have any questions about volunteering? Osnabrück’s Volunteer Agency offers individual and personal guidance on volunteering to help you find suitable and interesting opportunities.
Information for (Prospective) International Doctoral Candidates
PhD interConnect
PhD interConnect is the International Office's support and qualification program for international doctoral candidates. The program includes a range of events such as workshops, seminars, excursions, discussion evenings and other formats.
With the support of the International Office, a group of four international doctoral students plans, promotes and organizes this series of events on topics that are relevant to international and local doctoral students. This gives doctoral students the opportunity to gain additional qualifications for academic and non-academic purposes. In addition, interdisciplinary networks are formed and doctoral candidates are given the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing internationalization of the UOS. The project is funded by the DAAD.
Contact person and contact:
Esteban Durán-Delgado: esteban.duran-delgado@uni-osnabrueck.de
Additional information : International (Prospective) Doctoral Candidates
International (prospective) doctoral candidates can find additional information in the respective topic sections:
Formal Steps: Information on Entry
The International Office will be happy to answer any further questions.