Dissertation

Your dissertation may be cumulative consisting of several papers or a monograph. One of the papers should be single-authored. (Please note: it does not necessarily have to be published.)

Dissertation Submission

Upon completing your dissertation, you must hand in the “Application for PhD examination“ essentially stating that you are ready for the final steps, i.e. that you have finished your doctoral study programme and completed your dissertation to be submitted for review.

Please upload all documents (including the application) to Docfile and send the doctoral certificates in paper form to the doctoral office by post or you can submit your application during office hours.  Doctoral certificates must be submitted in the original. You will be notified when the application has been reviewed and you will be admitted to the doctoral examination.

You find the list of necessary document and forms here:Downloads (uni-koeln.de)

See also Section 6 of the Doctoral Regulations. 

Defence (oral exam)

The defence involves defending the scientific findings of your dissertation in front of three professors and to discuss it in a broader context.

• Oral examinations can be held at any time.
• Reports and registration for the defence must be received 4 weeks in advance (deadline).

Award of Degree (Dr. rer. pol.)

Doctoral students are awarded their degree during a public ceremony.

Please note: You must have published your work to be entitled to bear the title Dr. rer. pol.