Doctoral Studies at Goethe University
Your pathway to a PhD – structured, guided, and personally supported
The path to a PhD is a significant step in an academic career, and Goethe University is here to support you along the way. On this page, you’ll find all the essential information about application, enrolment, and support during your PhD journey. Whether you already have a topic and supervision in place or are just getting started, we’re here to help you take the next steps confidently and in a structured manner.
Requirements
Requirements for the doctorate and information/support services
To begin doctoral studies, you need to have completed academic education (e.g., a master’s degree, Diplom, Magister, or State Examination). Special regulations apply to applicants with a bachelor’s degree (from a university or university of applied sciences) or the first State Examination in teacher training, as outlined in the doctoral degree regulations.
We recommend visiting the website of the Goethe Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE), especially if you are in the early stages of planning your doctorate. The Goethe Research Academy for Early Career Researchers (GRADE) provides extensive support for doctoral candidates, postdocs, and R3-level researchers through a wide range of qualification and counselling services.
On the GRADE website, you will find a practical three-step guide to help you prepare and choose your topic. Feel free to check it out!
Support and Advisory Services
Doctoral Studies at Goethe University
To pursue a doctorate at Goethe University, you first need to find a supervisor or join a structured program (GRADE provides relevant information). Afterward, register via Goethe-Campus and submit the supporting documentation to the appropriate dean's office or doctoral office. Once your application is successfully accepted, you will receive a Declaration of Enrolment. You can find all further details about registration and matriculation on the central information pages dedicated to applications and enrolment.
Information for international prospective doctoral candidates: If you wish to write your dissertation in a language other than German, you must submit a request to the relevant faculty. The doctoral committee will then indicate on the doctoral admission letter which language you will be using. In this case, you can enroll as a doctoral candidate later without providing proof of DSH2.
Exception: Doctoral researchers in Faculty 16 Medicine first go through a decentralized process and only register electronically as doctoral researchers via Goethe Campus afterward. Further details can be found on the Faculty 16 website.
Questions about the application process?
Feel free to benefit from our applicant advising service and schedule a personal consultation appointment.
Maryam Sayegh-Hussein
|Team Leadership, Information and Qualification Service Center
“Your enrollment and study certificates are available digitally on the Goethe Campus Portal. You can download them at any time.”
GU, Oliver Schaffer
Registration
If you would like to additionally register as a doctoral student, please submit an electronic application for doctoral studies through Goethe Campus and then send the documentation required for registration. Registration as a student is not generally compulsory.
Important to know: A prerequisite for registration is the certificate of acceptance as a doctoral candidate from the responsible doctoral committee (or panel) of the department.
Language proficiency: International candidates whose working language is German must present a certified DSH-2 certificate (or equivalent) at the time of enrolment (more information here).
Recommended registration deadlines: April 30 for the summer semester, October 31 for the winter semester.
These deadlines are guidelines. If enrolment during an ongoing semester is desired, this is also possible. Please note that re-enrollment for the next semester begins in January/July, which means the next semester fee payment will also be due at that time.
Registration takes place in two steps:
Academic and global affairs
- Postal AddressAcademic and global affairs, Registrar's OfficeWestend CampusPEG Building60629 Frankfurt am MainOpening HoursRegistrar's Office Hours: Monday: 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM Wednesday: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM Study Service Point Hours: Monday to Thursday: 10 AM to 12 PM and 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
- Visitor AddressAcademic and global affairs, Registrar's OfficeWestend CampusPEG Building