Paperwork at University of Göttingen

This applies to PhD students who started after 1 October 2006. For those who started before 1 October 2006, see here.

Acceptance into the doctoral program of the Faculty of Physics

At the beginning of their PhD studies students need to be accepted into the doctoral program of the Faculty of Physics. Also the equivalence of a non-German diploma or master degree needs to be evaluated. For both you have to file an application to the Dean. Together with this application the following documents must be enclosed:

• Filled application form
• One page with your name, the title and an abstract of the PhD project, and the names of the university and MPS supervisors
• Curriculum vitae
• Certified copy of your master degree
  official translation (if not in German, English or French)
• Letter of your university supervisor that he/she agrees to supervise you during your PhD studies and to write the referee report about the thesis
• Similar letter of your MPS supervisor

Enrollment at the University

You need to be enrolled at the University during your PhD studies. The following papers are needed:

• Statement from the Dean that you are accepted as a PhD student
• Online registration, follow links at www.uni-goettingen.de/de/sh/9290.html for EU citizens, www.uni-goettingen.de/de/sh/12166.html for non-EU citizens
• Filled application form (available from above links)
• Statement issued by your health insurance, obtained from a public health insurance, e.g. DAK Göttingen
• Proof of payment of the semester social fees. Transfer the fees to the bank account of the University, stating your name, your matrikel number and the semester. PhD students do not need to pay the study fee of 500 EUR. Recipients of a stipend from a public institution do not need to pay the administration fee. In the latter case, add a copy of your stipend contract or a letter by the stipend institution that you are granted a stipend for your PhD studies.
• Exemption from proof of German language ability (letter by supervisor, program coordinator or dean)
• Certified copy of your university degree (diploma, master, ...), official translation (if not in German, English or French)

EU citizens submit the papers to the Studienzentrale, non-EU citizens to the International Student Services, both at Wilhelmsplatz 4, 37073 Göttingen. Observe their opening hours.

Matriculation for the following semesters is done by paying the semester social fees again. In case of a reduced amount because of a stipend, again by proofing the grant of the stipend. Observe the deadlines for matriculation.

Academic achievements during the PhD studies

During your PhD studies you need to obtain the following academic achievements, each signed by a supervisor or a faculty member in the certificate of academic achievements.

Submission of a PhD thesis

Please check the doctoral degree regulations "Rahmenpromotionsordnung" of GAUSS and "Promotionsordnung" of the Faculties of Science for all details.

Before submission of the PhD thesis, get the agreement of your supervisors. Then choose the six members of your doctoral committee, among them the two referees of your thesis and two examiners for each of the two minor subjects you have chosen for your defense. In case of doubt, ask the Dean for agreement to your choice. Agree with all committee members about a possible date of the defense and make sure that the referees submit their report in time after the submission of the thesis. The date of the defense shall be within three to six weeks after submission. Arrange an appointment with the Dean's office about the submission date.

For the submission of your PhD thesis you need the following papers:

• Application to the Dean (sample letter TEX, PDF):
  • Dekan der Fakultät für Physik der Universität Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen
  • Date of submission
  • Name, private address, telephone, email
  • Title of PhD thesis
  • Main subject and two minor subjects, names of the two referees, names of the four other committee members
  • Date, time and place of defense
  • Signature
• One glued copy of the PhD thesis in A4 with prescribed format of title page and second page (see appendix 1 of the doctoral degree regulations, thesis.cls layouts these pages automatically), and (unsigned) curriculum vitae as last page
• Summary of the thesis in German language of less than 10 words (sample TEX, PDF)
• Signed certificate of academic achievements
• Curriculum vitae in German language (identical to last page in thesis, but dated and signed)
• Two "Eidesstattliche Erklärungen" = dissertation declaration forms (see two sample declarations TEX, PDF and TEX, PDF)
• Certified copies of your high school diploma and all university degrees (pre-diploma, diploma, bachelor, master, ...), official translations (if not in German, English or French), certification available from the secretary of your university supervisor
• Certificates of enrollment at the University of Göttingen during your PhD studies
• All certificates of the diploma study course
• Statement about the time of your PhD studies (see sample statement TEX, PDF)
• List and copies of publications
• Acceptance letter into the doctoral program of the Faculty

Make sure that the two referees write their reports in time and add them to the file with the papers for your defense. Make further sure that all other members of your committee obtain the file and agree by signing it. The file has to be back at the Dean's office at least one week before the defense date.

Defense of a PhD thesis

The first part of the disputation is open to the public. It consists of a 30 minutes presentation of the PhD thesis by the candidate followed by a discussion of the thesis of about 30 minutes.

The second part of the disputation consists of an examination of the two minor subjects of about 40 minutes before the doctoral committee.

The result of the disputation with the grades of the PhD thesis and of the disputation is announced to the candidate thereafter by the chairperson of the doctoral committee.

Publication of a PhD thesis

The PhD thesis must be published within 1 year after the defense. Only minor corrections like typographical errors and mistakes are allowed. The supervisor has to agree to the revised version by signing a revision paper ("Revisionsschein", see appendix 4 of the Promotionsordnung). There are various options of publication, see paragraph 18 of the Rahmenpromotionsordnung and paragraph 13 of the Promotionsordnung.

The PhD document, dated with the day of the defense, is handed over after publication of the thesis. Only then you are allowed to use your doctor title.