Faculty of Chemistry and Earth SciencesDoctoral Studies

Generally, acceptance as a doctoral candidate requires the successful completion of a master's degree program at a university. If the degree was not passed in the subject in which the dissertation is to be written, proof of sufficient specialist knowledge must be provided (§ 4 PromO).
Acceptance as a doctoral candidate is initially valid for three years and can be extended.
Please also note the language requirements if your native language is not German or English. 

• Scientific supervision

Doctoral theses at the Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences are usually supervised by a professor or habilitated member of the faculty. The place of work may also be outside the university institutions. If the intended supervisor is not a member of the faculty, this must be applied for separately to the doctoral examination committee.

• Acceptance as doctoral candidate

Before starting the scientific work, the supervisor agreement together with the application for acceptance as a doctoral student must be submitted to the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences.
Please first register in the online portal heiDOCS and then submit the application for acceptance, supervision agreement, proof of degrees, and a copy of photo identification to the Dean's Office. HEIDOCS

• Enrollment

Doctoral students are required by law to enroll (§ 38 Abs. 5 Satz 1 LHG), but can only be exempted from this enrollment requirement by application if they have a full-time employment relationship at Heidelberg University of 50% or more with a minimum contract period of 6 months.
The enrollment is for the duration of the doctoral procedure. Enrollment is handled by the Department of Studies and Teaching.

The Graduate Academy is the central coordinating body for all interdisciplinary advising, continuing education, and funding opportunities for doctoral students at Heidelberg University. On its website you can find information about the courses offered by the Graduate Academy as well as about funding opportunities for doctoral students and other relevant topics.