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Doctoral StudiesRegistration

Please register with the Faculty of Biosciences no later than 6 weeks after the start of your PhD work. Before you register with the Faculty of Biosciences, make sure you have met the requirements (see 'before you start').

For registration, you may submit all required documents by standard post, “Hauspost” or directly in the blue mailbox at the main entrance outside of building INF 234 (or in the mailbox of the Faculty on the 2nd floor), where the PhD office is housed. Please inform the PhD office accordingly by email.

Note: All signatures on the application must be original.

Please submit the following documents to the PhD Office:

  • Application form for admission as a PhD candidate, including the original signatures from your Faculty supervisor and one more supervisor. Use the List of Examiners to check the status of your supervisors (FGA = Faculty supervisor,  GGA = supervisor from the list or “external” - see explanation on the list). Both supervisors also act as referees of your thesis and as examiners in your defense examination committee.   
  • Indication of the structured PhD program you will attend (you should be pre-approved) on the application form.
  • Copy of your identity card / passport.
  • Commitment to Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice

    (GSP) signed by you and your Faculty supervisor and, if differing, your direct supervisor.
  • Research Integrity Certificate: 

    E-Learning course by Epigeum

     This is a pilot project from the Faculty of Biosciences and the Graduate Academy of Heidelberg University. Prospective Ph.D. students of the Faculty of Biosciences need to submit the course certificate, together with the registration ("Annahme als Doktorand"), to be eligible for acceptance by the Faculty of Biosciences. A mandatory prerequisite to participate in this course is the supervision confirmation of your Faculty Supervisor (FGA). (Contrary information regarding course registration on the Graduate Academy’s webpage does not apply to applicants of the Faculty of Biosciences.)
    DKFZ and EMBL candidates: DKFZ and EMBL conduct their own Epigeum training. Please contact your DKFZ Ph.D. Program Office / EMBL Graduate Office.
  • Abstract of your Ph.D. project (printed in German or English, 1 page).
  • University degrees: Two (2) regular copies of all of your university degrees (e.g. Bachelor of Science and Master of Science certificates/diploma and transcripts of records. /  B.Sc. und M.Sc. Urkunden und Zeugnisse (mit Einzelleistungen) oder Staatsexamen) plus the original documents for verification.
    Official translations are required if your degrees have not been issued in English or German.
    By showing the originals and handing over the regular copies, the standard copies can be certified in the Ph.D. Office while you keep the originals.  Please bring the two regular copies already along.
    Or alternatively: 
    Two (2) officially certified copies of your university degrees (e.g. Bachelor of Science and Master of Science  certificates / diploma and transcripts of records. /  B.Sc. und M.Sc. Urkunden und Zeugnisse (mit Einzelleistungen), oder Staatsexamen). These certified copies will be kept in the Ph.D. office.
    Official translations are required if your degrees have not been issued in English or German.
  • CV including information concerning your Master/Diploma-thesis (duration, title, number of pages).
  • Ph.D. students holding a university degree from abroad should add: Proof of German or English language skills (not necessary for native speakers):  Check the 

    Language Requirements

Acceptance letter and matriculation

Once you have been accepted as doctoral candidate / PhD student by the Faculty of Biosciences, you will receive a confirmation letter ("Antrag auf Annahme als Doktorand/in", in German) to your workplace address. This letter is an important document that you should keep. Our international PhD students may find the English translation of this letter in the links to the right. 

In addition, an acknowledgement for the student administration is enclosed ("Bestätigung für die Studierendenadministration"). You will need this confirmation for your matriculation. It is only valid for 6 months.

Note and check:

Only complete application documents for admission as a PhD candidate will be considered.

Contact & PhD Office