Admission and Enrollment
Admission to doctoral studies and enrollment as a doctoral candidate at the University of Cologne are two separate steps that are carried out by two different offices.
First step: Admission to Doctoral Studies
To be admitted to doctoral studies at CGS, you have to provide several documents and forms (please note Section 4 of the Doctoral Regulations). These documents have to be handed in electronically via Docfile. The Central Doctoral Office checks and reviews your documents, the Doctoral Committee decides concerning admission. If you have an international degree, please note the information provided by the International Office of the University of Cologne.
Admission Documents
Please fill in the “Admission Form for Doctoral Studies" and upload it with all attachments (individual documents) to Docfile.
Second step: Enrollment as Doctoral Student
After you have received admission to doctoral studies by the faculty, you need to enroll as a doctoral student at the University of Cologne.
For German doctoral candidates
The Student Application and Registration Office (Studierendensekretariat) is responsible for the enrollment of doctoral candidates from Germany. Please enquire there about all the necessary documents.
For International doctoral candidates
International students must enroll at the International Office. Please consult these webpages for further information regarding the enrollment process. If you would like detailed advice, it is best to use the contact form of the International Office.
Obligation within the first year: Sign your Supervision Agreement
Within 12 months after admission as a doctoral student, a supervision agreement has to be signed by the doctoral student and by all supervisors. This document must be uploaded electronically via Docfile. Please inform Astrid Greuel (central doctoral office) about the upload.