EUF welcomes scholars from all over the world and is especially committed supporting early stage researchers. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions about pursuing doctoral research at Europa-Universität Flensburg.

The essential information about doctoral study at Europa-Universität Flensburg can help you decide whether pursuing a doctorate at EUF is right for you.

Pursuing a doctorate at EUF
Doctorate at Faculty I
Doctorate at Faculty II
Doctorate at Faculty III

The diversity of interests and backgrounds of prospective doctoral students means that there are many paths to obtaining a doctorate. Various types of collaborations, particularly regional and international partnerships with other universities and colleges, offer prospective doctoral students numerous opportunities to engage with the research and academic landscape, access different areas of expertise, and explore various career options. Mobility and internationalization are becoming increasingly important for careers in academia.

Regardless, the transition phase from studying to pursuing a doctorate is crucial for the progress and success of the doctoral project. While the decision to pursue a doctorate may arise organically from one's academic journey, fundamental questions still need to be addressed. These include clarifying research interests, career prospects, the field of study and dissertation topic, as well as identifying a supervisor for the doctoral project and securing funding.

The doctorate is the award of the academic doctorate based on an in-depth, independent and original scientific achievement. The doctorate is awarded by the university through one of its faculties and consists of two elements

1. The dissertation as the written documentation of the academic achievement and the oral examination in the form of a defense of the dissertation (disputation).
2. The dissertation and oral examination are assessed by experts in their research and specialist area based on scientific criteria.

A doctorate is generally possible in all research areas and subjects that are represented at the EUF. All three faculties offer the opportunity to pursue a doctorate in the form of an individual doctorate.

EUF confers the following degree titles:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Dr. phil.)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• Doctor of Economic Sciences (Dr. rer. pol.)

The faculty's doctoral committee decides on the successful completion of the doctorate. The details of the doctoral process are determined by the faculties' doctoral regulations.

In order to use the potential of the doctorate as a qualification phase, it is necessary to take into account factors such as entry requirements, the topic of the doctorate, the selection of supervisors, the requirements of the doctoral regulations and the financing during the doctoral period, in addition to one's own inclination, professional prospects and private life plans. The doctoral student relationship at the EUF begins with the promise of academic supervision and the conclusion of the doctoral agreement or written agreement.

• Formal admission requirements: Look for the admission requirements for a doctorate in your subject:
  • The following degrees from a university in Germany qualify for a doctorate: Master's, state examination, diploma or Magister
  • Completed equivalent studies at a comparable foreign university
  • Completion of a relevant university degree
  • Generally, an above-average degree is expected as proof of the ability to carry out in-depth scientific work.

You will find detailed information on all other admission requirements (including language skills, special grade limits or proof of ability to carry out in-depth scientific work through a qualified presentation of the scientific project and/or qualified study and examination achievements within the framework of the doctoral subject) in the doctoral regulations of the three faculties at the EUF.

The basic requirement for starting a doctoral program is that you must have a faculty mentor. Think about who might be a good fit for your topic or area of interest. You should know which topic you would like to work on and which research area you would like to work in. The topic and the supervisor should be a good match, i.e. you should research the research area, publications and teaching content of the potential supervisors. You will agree the topic of your dissertation with your first supervisor, i.e. the person who has the main responsibility for your progress as a doctoral student. Supervision may also be provided by faculty at a cooperating university. The first supervisor will support you on your way to academic independence by providing comprehensive and appropriate supervision, as well as expert advice in critical phases and recommendations for the most comprehensive integration into an active academic context in your field.

Once you have found a suitable supervisor, you must apply to the relevant faculty to be admitted as a doctoral student. There are usually no fixed application deadlines for the application process. The doctoral student relationship at the EUF begins with the confirmation of academic supervision and the conclusion of the doctoral agreement or written agreement.

• traditional doctorate (monograduate or cumulative)
•     part-time doctorate
•     Industrial doctorate
•     Doctorate for graduates of universities of applied sciences,
•     binational dissertation / cotutelle procedure

Cumulative doctorate

In the case of a cumulative or publication-based dissertation, the provisions of § 14 of the respective doctoral degree regulations must also be observed when submitting the application for admission to the doctoral examination (see "Doctoral examination" tab). The current doctoral regulations can be found under "Current statutes and regulations". The subject criteria for cumulative doctorates are attached to the doctoral regulations of the respective faculty.

A cumulative doctorate is currently possible at the Europa-Universität Flensburg in the following subjects:

•     Energy sciences
•     Educational Sciences
•     Geography
•     Musicology and music education
•     Psychology
•     Economics

Cooperative doctorate/ Binational doctorate

In addition to simple, partial cooperation with other universities, colleges or other institutions, doctorates can also be formally carried out jointly between the Europa-Universität Flensburg (EUF) and other universities, colleges or other institutions within and outside Europe.

For each individual doctoral procedure, an individual cooperation agreement must be negotiated and concluded between the two partner institutions, which takes into account the legal framework conditions of both institutions and countries.

The regulations for the EUF can be found above all in the EUF's doctoral regulations and the statutes of the Europa-Universität Flensburg for binational doctoral procedures.

If you have any questions on the subject of binational doctorates, please contact the management of the Doctoral Committee (under "Contact")

The university has a very limited number of paid staff positions for qualified doctoral students. Funded from the university’s basic budget or third party funding, these competitive doctoral jobs offer excellent basic funding to cover all living expenses. Each position carries specific research and teaching duties, which may contribute to the work of a larger research project.

• Schleswig-Holstein doctoral fellowships. 
  The university also offers a limited number of doctoral fellowships sponsored by the state of Schleswig-Holstein.
• Foundation scholarships, fellowships and grants 
  In addition to the above two options, EUF is well represented by nearly all of the major grant-giving foundations and agencies in Germany. These private foundations offer a range of merit-based doctoral fellowships to gifted individuals. To learn more about a specific funding opportunity, please contact the designated faculty representative (Vertrauensdozent*in)

Doctoral scholarships, grants and fellowships