General remarks on obtaining doctoral degrees at the University of Hildesheim

The faculty 4 - Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Economics and Computer Science - of the University of Hildesheim awards three different doctoral degrees.

The degree awarded depends on the subject of the thesis and on previous studies of the doctoral candidate:

  • Dr. rer. nat.: doctoral degree in Natural Sciences, from latin doctor rerum naturalium
    This degree requires a thesis subject within the areas of Mathematics, Natural Sciences (in Hildesheim currently Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Physics, Environmental Science), Computer Science (Informatics) or Technology (Education). Additionally, the doctoral candidate's previous academic achievements should lie mainly within the areas listed.
  • Dr. rer. pol.: doctoral degree in Economics, from latin doctor rerum politicarum
    This degree requires a thesis subject within the area of Economics. The area of Economics particularly comprises Microeconomics (Business Economics, Business Administration), Macroeconomics (Political Economics, National Economics) and (Business) Information Systems (Business Informatics). Additionally, the doctoral candidate's previous academic achievements should also lie mainly within Economics.
  • Dr. phil.: doctoral degree in philosophy, from latin doctor philosophiae
    This degree is awarded when the subject of the thesis focuses on Educational Science, Social Sciences or the Humanities in general. Alternatively, it is awarded when the doctoral candidate's previous academic achievements lie mainly within these areas. In either case, the core subject area of the thesis should be within Mathematics, Natural Sciences (in Hildesheim currently Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Physics, Environmental Science), Computer Science (Informatics) or Technology (Education) or the didactics of these subjects.

In German, the awarding of a doctoral degree is called "Promotion", in English it is commonly called "awarding a PhD". All three doctoral degrees listed above are ISCED 2011 level 8 (844) degrees and compare to a PhD in Natural Sciences, Economics or the Humanities, respecively.

To begin persuing a doctoral degree at the faculty 4, you must apply for admission as a doctoral candidate. Please refer to the information below for details.

Attention!

All regulations, check lists and templates below are outdated as of Feburary 9th, 2016. The new versions are currently available in German only and are awaiting translation.

You are welcome to use them as a guideline but for current information please do not hesitate to contact the Dean's Office.

Doctoral degree in Natural Sciences (Dr. rer. nat.)

A "Promotion" Dr. rer. nat. is governed by the respective regulations of the faculty:

Check lists, further information and templates

To begin pursueing a doctoral degree, you must apply for acceptance as a doctoral candidate, to be directed to the Dean of the faculty 4. The subsequently issued acceptance is valid for five years.

After finishing your thesis, you must apply for final admission to the doctoral degree ("Promotion"), again to be directed to the Dean of the faculty 4.

Please observe the following check lists / information when applying for either acceptance as a doctoral candidate oder admission to a doctoral degree:

Please do not hesitate to contact the Dean's Office with all questions or when you need assistance.

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Doctoral degree in Humanities (Dr. phil.)

A "Promotion" Dr. phil. is governed by the respective regulations of the faculty:

Check lists, further information and templates

To begin pursueing a doctoral degree, you must apply for acceptance as a doctoral candidate, to be directed to the Dean of the faculty 4. The subsequently issued acceptance is valid for five years.

After finishing your thesis, you must apply for final admission to the doctoral degree ("Promotion"), again to be directed to the Dean of the faculty 4.

Please observe the following check lists / information when applying for either acceptance as a doctoral candidate oder admission to a doctoral degree:

Please do not hesitate to contact the Dean's Office with all questions or when you need assistance.

Doctoral degree in Economics (Dr. rer. pol.)

A "Promotion" Dr. rer. pol. is governed by the respective regulations of the faculty:

Check lists, further information and templates

To begin pursueing a doctoral degree, you must apply for acceptance as a doctoral candidate, to be directed to the Dean of the faculty 4. The subsequently issued acceptance is valid for five years.

After finishing your thesis, you must apply for final admission to the doctoral degree ("Promotion"), again to be directed to the Dean of the faculty 4.

Please observe the following check lists / information when applying for either acceptance as a doctoral candidate oder admission to a doctoral degree:

Please do not hesitate to contact the Dean's Office with all questions or when you need assistance.

Additional helpful information

Helpful information:

If conflicts arise during doctoral studies the mediation body of the University of Hildesheim is available to students, staff and supervisors. If problems arise regarding good scientific practice, please contact the ombudsperson for good scientific practice of the University of Hildesheim:

Occasionally problems arise when scientists from abroad are considered to take part in doctoral studies or the examination of the thesis due to different understandings of scientific staff in different countries. This mostly applies to Post-Doc-, "Pre-Prefessor"-positions. The following two publications are helpful in judging eligibility of scientific staff to examine theses: "She Figures" (EU commission) lists staff categories. A more detailed comparison, albeit for different countries, is listed in "Zwischen Promotion und Professur".

Please do not hesitate to contact the Dean's Office of the Faculty 4 for all further questions:

Contact details faculty 4