During the Doctorate

Meeting the Requirements

Supervision Agreement

The supervision agreement serves to clearly and formally define the relationship between the doctoral student and the supervisors. You should finalize this agreement together with your supervisors within six months of your admission as a doctoral student at the Doctoral School NRW. Please note: the supervision agreement is not to be confused with the confirmation of supervision submitted with your admission application.

After completing the agreement with your supervisory team, upload it to KISS under „Promotion“ – „Auflagen aus Annahme“.

The Doctoral School NRW provides a mandatory template of the supervision agreement for download.

Detailed Research Proposal

Within twelve months of admission at the Doctoral School NRW, submit a detailed research proposal that has been signed by your supervisory team. Upload it to KISS under „Promotion“ – „Auflagen aus Annahme“.

If your research proposal was already classified as detailed at the time of admission, you only need to have it signed before submitting it.

If your research proposal was classified as a short version, it must be further elaborated. Please note that some departments have specific requirements regarding the structure and length of the detailed research proposal.

Additional Requirements

If the Doctoral Examining Committee has imposed further requirements, make sure to fulfill them within the set deadlines and upload the evidence of completion to KISS under „Promotion“ – „Auflagen aus Annahme“.

Completing the Doctoral Program and Writing the Dissertation

Program Requirements

Complete the mandatory and elective courses specified in the schedule of your doctoral program (e.g. lecture series, colloquia, methodological courses, etc.).

Work on your dissertation. Make sure to follow the principles of good scientific practice and research ethics, and familiarize yourself with the proper handling of research data.

Regular Exchanges and Progress Meetings

Meet regularly with your supervisors to discuss the progress of your work.

At the end of each year following your admission, prepare a progress report. Discuss this report with your supervisors during a progress meeting and update your supervision agreement accordingly. Keep in mind the commitments made in your supervision agreement. The progress meeting should be documented by one of your supervisors.

Take advantage of opportunities to exchange ideas and experiences with other doctoral students and experts in your field, both within the doctoral program and through additional events offered by your department.

Qualification Opportunities

Make use of further opportunities for personal, academic, and professional development — for example, through the qualification offers of the Doctoral School NRW.

Additional Formal Requirements

Re-enroll each semester both at the university of applied sciences (UAS) where your doctoral project is based and at the Doctoral School NRW.
At the Doctoral School NRW, re-enrollment must take place between January 1 and April 30 for the summer semester and between July 1 and October 31 for the winter semester. Please also observe the re-enrollment deadlines of your university.

Admission as a doctoral student is initially limited to five years. If necessary, you may apply for an extension. Please consult your supervisory team well in advance. Further details can be found in the doctoral regulations of your department.

Submitting the Dissertation

Submission of the Dissertation

Prepare the submission of your dissertation in good time. Ensure that your dissertation meets the formal requirements set out in the Framework Doctoral Degree Regulations (RPO) and include all mandatory declarations as specified in the RPO.

Application to Initiate the Doctoral Examination Process

Submit an application to initiate the doctoral examination process via KISS. You will receive written notification from the Doctoral Examining Committee regarding the decision to open the examination procedure.