Doctorate at the University of Oldenburg
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Advisor for international doctoral candidates and researchers
Service for international researchers
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Doctorate at the University of Oldenburg
Information for (prospective) international doctoral candidates
Today, many doctoral candidates in the German academic system complete their doctorates as members of doctoral (study) programmes. However, a large number still follow the traditional path in Germany, which is to work on their thesis individually without being part of a structured doctoral programme.
It is standard practice at German universities for prospective doctoral candidates to contact a possible supervisor from their subject field at a very early date.
The stage at which a doctoral candidate needs to enrol with the university differs depending on the discipline/doctoral programme. However, it is advisable to enrol at the beginning of the doctorate, also for insurance reasons.
Doctoral theses may be written in German or English at the University of Oldenburg. Please note the general information regarding registration, admission and enrolment for your doctorate at the University of Oldenburg. For information specific to your discipline or doctoral programme regarding registration as a doctoral candidate, enrolment as a doctoral student and other details of the process, please read the respective doctoral degree regulations (Promotionsordnung). If you still have questions, you can ask the relevant doctorate committee (Promotionsausschuss).
First steps
The requirements and admission criteria for doctoral candidates differ according to the discipline and/or doctoral degree programme. This means it's a good idea to get in touch with a potential supervisor in your field of interest at an early stage. Overview of schools and institutes at the University of Oldenburg
If you need more information about how to start your path to a doctorate or help in deciding how to go forward, you can contact the Doctoral Student Advice Service at the University of Oldenburg. It provides advice free of charge and in strict confidence.
Advice for potential doctoral candidates (Study and Career Counselling Service)
Financing
Many doctoral students finance their stay at the university with a job as a researcher for their doctoral supervisor.
Job offers at the University of Oldenburg
Another option is a scholarship. There is a large number of scholarship databases and foundations which could be relevant for you, depending on research focus, discipline and application requirements.
Please inform yourself thoroughly before you begin your doctoral work whether your planned type of funding is sufficient in terms of duration and amount for the whole PhD! It is extremely difficult to find scholarships for finalising a thesis, for example.