FAQ on the scholarships for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation project
This page provides answers to frequently asked questions on the application for a “Predoc” scholarship for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation project. If you have any further questions, please contact artes-application(at)uni-koeln.de.
For general questions relating to the doctoral programmes at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Cologne, please see the FAQ of the Central Doctoral Office.
By when must I submit my application?
The application deadline for scholarships for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation project is in May. Please upload all necessary information and documents in a.r.t.e.s. access on that day before 12 p.m. Please note that your university diploma may be handed in later: The deadline is in May.
How should I submit my application?
To apply for an a.r.t.e.s. “Predoc” scholarship, please register and log in at the a.r.t.e.s. access web portal. After the login, please choose the application procedure “8 “Predoc” scholarships for the preparation of a doctoral project” and follow further instructions. – Please note that we cannot accept unreadable scans and will consider them not handed in. Photos are often problematic in this regard due to perspectival distortion, which is why we recommend using a scanner.
What degree must I hold before I can apply?
You can apply for scholarships for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation project if you hold any form of postgraduate degree, for instance a Master's degree, a ‘Diplom’ degree, a ‘Magister’ degree or a state examination diploma. It is not possible to apply with a Bachelor’s degree. The selection committee decides on any exceptions (e.g. a Bachelor's degree with a standard study period of 8 semesters).
I have already completed my degree programme but have not yet received my university diploma. Can I apply?
Your university diploma is essential in order to enable us to assess your application. You may submit this document by May. If you are not in possession of the document by this date, we would recommend that you submit your application during the next application period for the Integrated Track in autumn. – Should your university diploma be not available even though you have already passed all of the required examinations, please submit a summary of all academic performances [e.g. Transcript of Records, and/or certification of the responsible examination office and/or supervisor, if applicable]. The final deadline for submitting all the documents is in May. In any case, all examinations determining your final grade must have been passed in order to apply for the programme. Please make sure to hand in a complete transcript of records, not just a summary. If you graduated from a university outside Germany, please also add a guideline for the conversion of grades, should you university publish one.
I completed my degree programme several years ago. Can I apply?
Unfortunately not. The scholarships for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation project only accepts students who apply directly after they have completed their degree.
What level of proficiency in German is required to apply?
There are no formal requirements to demonstrate your proficiency in German. However, please bear in mind that German is the primary language spoken at a.r.t.e.s. A command of German will therefore help you in your interactions and exchanges with your colleagues from other disciplines. You may provide a statement concerning your knowledge of German in your covering letter.
Do I need to already have a supervisor at the University of Cologne in order to apply for scholarships for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation project?
No, you do not. You should, however, be in the process of seeking contact with a potential supervisor. If you already have confirmation of academic supervision from a professor at the University of Cologne, you may include a copy with your application. However, you are not required to do so at this point.
I want to obtain a doctorate in a discipline that is not included in the list of disciplines on a.r.t.e.s. access. Can I apply?
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Cologne only offers doctoral degrees in the listed disciplines. A list of all disciplines which are accepted and with which one can register at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities is to be found in the Doctoral Regulations of March 12, 2020 (Appendix 1). If you are unsure, please contact a lecturer of the University of Cologne in your discipline to clarify whether or not your project fits within any of these fields (list of the institutes at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities). It may be possible under certain circumstances and, if adequate supervision is available at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, it may be possible to select a discipline that is not identical with the field in which you obtained your university degree.
I am already enrolled in a doctoral programme at another university. Can I apply?
To be eligible for a scholarship for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation project from the a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School, you must be enrolled as a doctoral student at the University of Cologne. The primary supervisor must also be a member of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Cologne.
Do I need to be resident in Cologne?
No, you do need to be resident in Cologne while you receive the Predoc scholarship.
How can I tell if my doctoral dissertation project conforms to the a.r.t.e.s. programme?
The a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School is the graduate school of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and its programme thus covers the full range of subjects studied in the related disciplines. If you are uncertain if your doctoral project is suitable for a.r.t.e.s., we would recommend that you take a look at the curriculum of the interdisciplinary graduate classes and at current Integrated Track doctoral projects. If you think it is necessary, you are welcome to explain in your covering letter why you believe your project meets the requirements of the a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School.
What is the research proposal?
The research proposal is one of the most important parts of your application and offers a concise overview of your doctoral project. It should elaborate aspects such as your research question, thesis, methods and the relevance of your project for your field of research. You should also attach a preliminary bibliography on which you plan to base your research. In terms of formal requirements, the research proposal has to be a cohesive text of 6,000–8,000 characters, including spaces (not counting footnotes, appendix & bibliography).
What language should the research proposal for the dissertation project be written in?
The research proposal can be submitted in German or English.
What is the ‘work plan’?
In the work plan, you provide an outline of your project planning for the funding period: How and when are you going to develop your project? Are you planning to do a research stay abroad? Which research institutions are you planning to visit?
What information should the letter of recommendation contain?
For all information concerning the letter of recommendation, please consult our guideline.
What documents can I submit at a later date and what deadlines apply?
You can submit your university diploma and/or Transcript of Records by May by e-mail. All other documents must be submitted to a.r.t.e.s. by the application deadline at the latest.
May I simultaneously apply for more than one funding programme?
If you – successfully or not - apply for a scholarship for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation project in the summer semester, you are as well eligible to apply for a doctoral scholarship in the Integrated Track in the following winter semester.