Questions regarding doctoral studies

Yes, they can. The modules of the semi-structured doctoral program are typically designed as compact seminars that take place either during the week or at the weekend. They are therefore also suitable for external candidates.

You can participate in academic programs at other universities and have these counted toward your doctoral degree after the Doctoral Committee has examined the achievements on a case-by-case basis. It is certainly helpful to include a written statement from your advisor, in which he or she explains why it was necessary for you to attend the external program with regard to your specific research project. What is important, however, is that you were awarded a grade and that the workload involved corresponds to the workload of the respective module of the semi-structured doctoral program. This rule does not apply to the two lectures held in the third and fifth semester as part of the doctoral collegium.

There is no clear answer to this question. When preparing your schedule you should dedicate at least twenty hours per week to your dissertation, if you intend to finish your degree within three years. How to best divide your time over the course of the week depends on your working practices.

If you want to pursue a doctoral degree while doing a regular job, you might want to consider applying as a part-time doctoral student. Each semester you will complete fifty percent of the requirements, which will add an extra six semesters to the duration of your program of study. It is also possible to switch from full-time to part-time studies, or vice versa, during the course of your doctoral program. Any such change of status must be applied for at the Admissions Office.