Guidance on all Aspects of doing a Ph.D.

If a doctorate is right for you, you can check with the following list.

At Leibniz University Hannover there are numerous options for doctoral studies, whether in a structured doctoral programme or in the form of an individual doctorate.

The form of the thesis and the nature of the oral examination as well as other formalities such as conditions for admission or subject-specific requirements are governed by the doctoral regulations of the individual faculties.

For a concise overview of the most important steps and contact persons on the way to successfully performing doctoral studies at Leibniz University Hannover, please see the following guide:

Yes. – According to § 9 section 2 of the NHG (Lower Saxony Higher Education Act) Ph.D. candidates must register as studying for a doctorate.

Application deadlines are as for degree courses: 31st March for the summer semester and 30th September for the winter semester. In cases where there is a valid reason, it is also possible to register during the current semester and to backdate registration to the beginning of the same.

Written confirmation from the faculty supervising the Ph.D. project must be enclosed with the application.

Information on admission and registration

In addition to funding through positions at institutes, the broadly diversified funding and scholarship system in Germany enables numerous doctoral candidates to finance their doctoral thesis. The Graduate Academy team will be pleased to advise you on funding options.

Information on funding opportunities

Information on health insurance and general insurance cover is complex and there is no single answer. We have compiled some basic information on health, accident and liability insurance for you.

Information on insurance cover

No. - According to § 9 of the NHG (Lower Saxony Higher Education Act) only those persons holding a Master’s degree, “Diplom” or “Magister” or an equivalent qualification with a “Staatsexamen” may be admitted to a doctorate.

No. - Ph.D. candidates registered solely with the objective of gaining a doctorate are not required to pay long-term study fees (Langzeitstudiengebühren) or tuition fees as long as they are not also registered for another degree course. They pay the semester fee only.

The dissertation is your first independent research project. However, independence does not mean being alone: During your dissertation project, a supervisor will guide you on your path to become an autonomous researcher. A good relationship between you and your supervisor and a good working environment is thus very important or your first research project. Now you may ask yourself:

• How do I establish a good relationship with my supervisor?
• What do I have to clarify with my supervisor before starting my dissertation?

Before starting your dissertation project you do not necessarily know, which working conditions and agreements between you and your supervisor may be or become relevant. Therefore, we gladly offer help with the following checklist:

Our checklist "How to prepare for a good start of your dissertation project" offers first orientation on which questions are important to discuss with your supervisor.

If you are already aware of what you need to speak about with your supervisor before starting your dissertation, you may still find this checklist useful: Check, whether you have considered everything for a good start – or are there still more matters to discuss in advance?

If you and your supervisor speak about the topics in the checklist, both of you will gain security. This is an important precondition for trust and a good relationship, and eventually, for a successful dissertation.

We wish you and your supervisor all the best for your dissertation project!

As a registered Ph.D. candidate, you are automatically a member of the Graduate Academy and can take advantage of the full range of our services. External and unregistered Ph.D. candidates can apply in writing to the management office for one year's membership. Should you have any further questions, please contact the Graduate Academy at any time.

Graduate Academy Team

International use of certificates (GER)