Admission to doctoral studies is granted by the doctoral board of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and requires that applicants have a graduate level degree prior to application (Master’s degree, “Staatsexamen”, Diploma, or, under specific circumstances, a Bachelor’s degree). This university degree must qualify you for further studies in the chosen discipline. Please take note of the Guidelines on Good Academic Practice (DE|EN) of the University of Cologne.

In order to be admitted and subsequently enrolled in doctoral studies, all applicants must submit an application via a.r.t.e.s. access.

The documents required upon submission of the application depend upon whether the prior university degree was acquired in Germany or in another country and whether the degree is directly or indirectly connected to the chosen discipline.

For additional information, please see the section "Before applying for admission" in our FAQs.

With regard to the subsequent process of enrolment, please see the website of the Registrar's Office or the International Office.

Admission is initially limited to six months. After submitting the supervision contract with the primary and secondary supervisors, regular admission to doctoral studies will be granted.