Enrollment Doctoral Candidates
You may apply for enrollment
- for the summer semester from February 15 until June 15 // Ph.D.-program from February 15 until April 15
- for the winter semester from August 15 until January 15 // Ph.D.-program from August 15 until October 15
Comprehensive information regarding the possibilities of earning a doctoral degree can be found on the pages that introduce you to the study options at the University of Potsdam.
The Welcome Center der Universität Potsdam can assist international applicants for doctoral study with questions regarding visas, residence permit regulations and health insurance.
This page will provide you with information on registering and enrolling as a doctoral candidate.
1. Admission as a doctoral candidate
You must apply for admission as a doctoral candidate prior to beginning your dissertation. The application must be filed with the Doctoral Examining Board for the subject in which you are pursuing your doctorate. If you are pursuing a doctorate in the Law Faculty, you must file the application with its dean.
Since the Examining Board or the Office of the Dean requires time to review your materials, you should expect a processing time of several weeks (possibly longer during the semester breaks).
Please submit the following materials to the Office of the Dean
- Application to Enroll as an International Doctoral Student (PDF)
- Declaration of Intent to Undertake Doctoral Studies - in the original (After presenting the Agreement for supervision of a doctoral thesis it will be send to you by the Dean's Office.)
- a single, non-certified copy of your personal identification or passport; if you have dual citizenship, include appropriate documentation of identity (The copy must include the complete name, first name, date of birth, address, and date of validity. You may black out all other information if you wish to do so. The copy of your identification documents will be used exclusively for purposes of identification and prevent identity theft. The copy of your identification documentation will be destroyed after successful enrollment.)
- Curriculum Vitae in table form, including signature
- Copy of your university entry qualification (high-school certificate qualifying for university admission)
- Certified copies of your university degree transcripts
- for foreign university degrees: a certified copy of your university degree with a translation into German or English certified by a sworn translator or interpreter.
- If you have previously studied at a German university: a copy of the de-registration (exmatriculation) notification including information on your program of study as well as semesters of study at the university and semesters of study in your major
- if the exmatriculation certificate does not contain information on the degree program, university and semesters completed: most recent certificate of university enrollment that identifies the degree program, the institution, and semesters completed,
- Evidence of valid health insurance for the upcoming semester:
- with a statutory German health insurance provider – provider-issued Health Insurance Verification for Registering at a University – Sample (PDF). A copy of your insurance card is not sufficient.
- with a private health insurance provider – evidence that you are exempted from statutory health insurance (can be obtained from any statutory health insurance provider in Potsdam upon presentation of your passport, proof of your existing health insurance as well as proof of your doctoral candidacy)
- with an EU-Card (European Health Insurance Card: EHIC) – confirmation by a German statutory health insurance provider that you have statutory health insurance in your home country (issued by any statutory health insurance provider in Potsdam)
- For international applicants: Should you be a recipient of a fellowship underwritten by German public funds, you should include a copy of your award letter.
If you are an international applicant for doctoral study, please take note of the following information:
- Proof of language proficiency: There are no general regulations regarding the proof of German or other language proficiency if you are planning to enroll for a doctorate. To find out about the language requirements for your particular doctorate, please consult your specific Doctoral Program Regulation. Please inquire with your adviser about details.
- If you are sending the documents from abroad, you may provide the evidence of health insurance, a copy of the confirmation you receive when registering with the local authorities, and a copy of your residence permit or visa at a later time.
If you are interested in aCotutelle-Verfahren, please note the following:
- Your adviser files an informal request with the faculty board for a Cotutelle de thèse procedure following a recommendation by the Doctoral Examining Board or the Dean of the Faculty of Law.
- In cooperation with the faculty, you will draw up a contract, which details the conditions of your individual procedure. Sample contracts in English are available from the Doctoral Examining Boards in the different faculties.
2. Review of your materials / enrollment
Upon receipt of your complete application materials, the Dean’s Office in charge will review your application. If the admission decision is positive, your materials are forwarded to the Office of Student Affairs, which will enroll you.
Once your enrollment materials are complete, we will send you information on paying the semester fees to the e-mail address provided in the application of enrollment.
After your payment, your Potsdam University’s Chip Card (PUCK) will be issued and delivered by mail. The envelope contains:
- Potsdam University’s Chip Card (PUCK)
- Information about the activation of your University account
- TAN-list (PULS- Potsdamer Universitätslehr- und Studienorganisationsportal)
- Access to this portal will allow you to print certificates of enrollment, register for classes, etc.
3. Information on de-registering (exmatriculating) as a doctoral candidate
Your enrollment as a doctoral candidate ends with the completion of your doctoral degree or the end of advising at the University of Potsdam, but definitely after 12 semesters in your subject of study.
Please note: If you are exmatriculated after 12 semesters, you may still complete your doctoral degree, unless your faculty’s Doctoral Degree Regulations specify otherwise.
Under extenuating circumstances, exceptions can be made. In this case, a request for extension of enrollment beyond 12 semesters can be approved. The informal request must be accompanied by a written statement by the adviser, which states the reasons for the long duration of the doctoral studies as well as the expected date of completion of the doctoral degree. Requests are decided together with the Doctoral Examining Board.
The request for extending enrollment must be submitted to the Office of Student Affairs within the re-registration period.
