Doctorates
at Faculty 07
Dear prospective doctoral students,
acceptance as a doctoral student takes place electronically via the Goethe Campus. Please upload all the necessary documents there and inform the Dean of Studies' Office. Please note that only complete applications can be processed.
We’re delighted that you’re interested in pursuing a PhD with our faculty. You can find more information through the info boxes in the tabs of this section. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the PhD advisory service via email: promotionsberatungfb07@dlist.uni-frankfurt.de
News & Dates
- Next meeting date of the Doctoral Committee ("Promotionsausschusses"): May 6, 2026
- Deadline for applications to commence the examination procedure: April 29, 2026
- Deadline for applications for financial support: April 22, 2026
- Deadline for applications for acceptance as a doctoral candidate: April 22, 2026
PHD Dr. Phil
At the Faculty of Catholic Theology, it is possible to pursue a PhD (Dr. phil.) in the following fields:
- Catholic Theology (with specializations in Biblical Studies, Church and History of Dogmas, Systematic Theology, or Practical Theology/Religious Education)
- History of Religions/Religious Studies
- Philosophy of Religion
As a general rule, admission to the PhD program requires passing an exam in the chosen doctoral field with a grade of "3" (satisfactory) or better at a higher education institution. This exam must be part of a degree program (Master’s, Staatsexamen, Magister exam, or Diplom exam) with a minimum study duration of eight semesters. If this requirement is not met, a complementary exam must be taken. This exam corresponds to the oral component of a major subject exam and may require prior complementary studies. For further details (including language requirements), please refer to the doctoral degree regulations.
Your first points of contact for all (potential) doctoral candidates are the professors of the respective fields within the faculty. For questions regarding the recognition of academic achievements and admission, please contact the Chair of the Doctoral Committee, Prof. Dr. Christof Mandry.
To apply for acceptance as a doctoral candidate, please submit the following documents:
- Completed application form, signed by both the applicant and the advisor (available via email: promotionsberatungfb07@dlist.uni-frankfurt.de)
- Project proposal for the dissertation
- Bibliography for the dissertation project
- Current and signed curriculum vitae (CV)
- Certificate of higher education entrance qualification
- Certificates of higher education degrees
- Academic transcripts (especially regarding required language skills)
Once your application has been accepted, you can register as a doctoral candidate at Goethe University.
PHD Dr. Phil
Thanks to a cooperation agreement, it is also possible to pursue a Doctorate in Theology (Dr. theol.) at the Philosophical-Theological University of St. Georgen, with a primary advisor from our faculty and a secondary advisor from St. Georgen, following their doctoral regulations. The prerequisite for this is the successful completion of a full course of study in Catholic Theology at the level of a Magister in Theology. If this requirement is not met, but you have passed a Magister exam with a major subject in Catholic Theology with at least a "good" grade or completed a First State Examination for teacher training at secondary schools in Catholic Theology, equivalency can be obtained through a supplementary exam. Typically, complementary studies are required for this purpose.
Financial support GRADE Center GPE
The Goethe Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE) is a central point of contact for all researchers in the early stages of their careers at Goethe University. With workshops, individual coaching, networking events, career development measures, financial support, and language courses, GRADE offers comprehensive, group-specific support to researchers in phases R1 to R3.
To participate in the Grade Center GPE (History, Philosophy, Social and Cultural Anthropology) and all it has to offer, we cordially invite all doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in Faculty 08 to become members of the center!
Please register via the link below.
GRADE - Goethe Research Adacemy for ECRs
GRADE, the Goethe Research Academy for Early Career Researchers, offers you a comprehensive qualification program and various other support opportunities for your research, career and personal development.
GRADE