Application, Admission, and Enrolment

1. Check your eligibility

Please check whether you are qualified for the admission to our PhD programme before starting the application. The following requirements are mandatory:

• A subject-related Master’s degree (or equivalent) and at least 150 ECTS credits in mathematics and the natural science from your previous studies.
  If you have received your degree outside the Bologna signatory countries, an equivalence check will be made. It is recommended that you have your degree's equivalence verified before applying for admission to the study programme.
• A (main) supervisor (and TAC, see below) willing to host your project for the entire period of your doctoral studies. This person must be accredited for examination in the study programme. Find research groups and contact details on the Faculty Departments page or via the Supervisors list (select "Biological Diversity and Ecology"). Applications submitted without an approved supervisor will not be considered.
• Funding for your project must be secured for the entire period of your doctoral studies. It can be obtained through the supervisor or through a scholarship secured by yourself.
• Evidence of English proficiency of at least level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference. If your (BSc and) MSc has been done entirely in English, there is no need to submit a C1 English certificate. Acceptable Proof

  Acceptable proof includes standardized certificates such as:

  • UNIcert®: minimum UNIcert® III certificate;
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic): minimum band score of 6.0;
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language, internet-based test (TOEFL iBT): minimum score of 80;
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, minimum grade “C”;
  • Other accredited or standardized certificates may also be recognized after examination of their equivalence.

  Validity:The test must have been taken within the last three years.

  Alternative Proof: At least two years of relevant study or professional experience in an English-speaking country within the last three years, or completion of a degree programme taught entirely in English.

2. Prepare your application - compose your thesis advisory committee (TAC)

Before applying for the doctoral programme, you will need to compose your Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) that will advise you and monitor your progress during your doctoral studies. You may compose your TAC together with your main supervisor.
The TAC usually consists of three members:

• the main supervisor (with examination accreditation)
• one additional examination accredited person of the programme (see this link, then select the programme Biodiversity and Ecology)
• one further academic, holding at least a doctoral degree

Information about composing your TAC can be found here, but keep in mind that two members must have an examination authorization for the Biodiversity and Ecology programme.

3. Apply for admission

If you meet the admission requirements you can start your application process online. Applications can be submitted at any time within max. three month after start of the PhD.

1. If you have been enrolled at the University of Göttingen before, please login via eCampus to access the pre-filled form.
   As an external applicant you can enter the Lucom Application form, selecting Biology and Psychology as the faculty, and Biodiversity and Ecology as the programme.
2. Upload the required documents List of documents you need to upload
   • Funding (information on type of funding; drop down menu)
   • Doctoral student declaration (see website Documents and forms)
   • Curriculum vitae
   • Bachelor’s degree transcript and diploma (if not in English or German, a certified translation in either English or German)
   • Master’s degree transcript and diploma (if not in English or German, a certified translation in either English or German)
   • English certificate (exceptions see admission requirements)
   • Statement indicating whether a doctoral programme has been successfully completed, has not been successfully completed, or is expected to be completed (drop down menu).
3. Check your email (the one you provided in the form). After completion and submission of the application form you should have received an email with your Supervision Agreement and information about the next steps for enrolment (login number, link to the upload portal).
4. Get all the TAC members to sign the Supervision Agreement and sign it yourself.
5. Send the following documents to the programme coordination via email to phdbiodiv@biologie.uni-goettingen.de
   • Supervision agreement (signed by the PhD candidate and all three TAC members)
   • Abstract of the intended dissertation project

4. Enrol at the University

Enrolment at the University of Göttingen as a doctoral student is mandatory. You have to be enrolled and pay the semester fees for the entire time of your doctoral studies, incl. the doctoral defence (examination).

1. Pay the semester fees
   For students who have previously studied in Göttingen (BSc and/or MSc): Please include your former student ID number on the payment receipt (not your new Lucom applicant number).
   
2. Login to the online portal for enrolment (using the information provided in the email of step 3.3) and
   • upload your signed Supervision Agreement (to be considered as letter of admission).
   • Additional upload for students still enrolled at the University of Göttingen: Application for Change of Course of Study / Antrag auf Änderung des Studienverlaufs
   • Additional upload for students who hold a German degree: Certificate of Study (Period) or Certificate of De-Registration

If you have any questions about the enrolment process, semester fees, possible exceptions, etc., please contact the responsible office directly:

• German citizens: Office of Student Affairs
• International doctoral students: Incoming Office - International Students Office