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.

• 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