10-14-2006, 01:15 PM
The authority to award doctoral degrees is a privilege of German universities, of which TU Darmstadt (TUD) is one. It is carried out in the form of a pure research project and does normally not include taught courses. Doctoral projects are possible in any subject area represented by a TUD professor. PhD programmes do not exist in the German system. Doctoral candidates pursue their project under the supervision of and in co-operation with a professor. They are not usually students, but may be employed in a full or part-time position at the university or sometimes in industry. In this case, their primary task is research in the framework of a project of their employer which will usually lead to scientific results that can be worked up to a doctoral thesis. The duration of the entire process is three to five years. A doctoral subject is mostly part of a wider research context and may, in the case of applied research, be of relevance to industry.
Holders of scholarships from the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) or other national and international organisations need not be employed during their doctorate, but enrol as postgraduate students aiming at the doctoral degree.
Upon finishing the project, candidates write a thesis (Dissertation, Doktorarbeit) which they then submit to the faculty. After the thesis is accepted, they undergo an oral doctoral examination. In principle, only holders of first university degrees are entitled to access to the doctorate. But at present a governmental directive has introduced conditional admission to the doctorate for holders of the German Fachhochschule degree who have achieved outstanding results.
As a rule the prerequisites for the admission of international graduates to a TUD doctorate are
a masters degree from an internationally recognised university with a high grade
written confirmation from a TUD professor that he or she is willing to accept the candidate in his or her research team
It may be the case that candidates holding an international degree are admitted to the doctorate on the condition that they take certain courses related to their field of research and pass certain exams.
In 1989 a new basis was created for doctorates in the form of the so-called Graduiertenkolleg. This is an university institution which promotes the development of scientific staff in a defined research area where "...the doctoral candidates pursue their thesis work in the framework of a systematic and interdisciplinary study programme and in joint groups of researchers who co-ordinate their research activities" (Source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft). The Graduiertenkolleg offers not only improved conditions for German and international doctorates, but also provides funding in the form of scholarships.
There are various ways in which international students may find an TUD professor willing to supervise his or her doctorate:
applying through an organisation such as the DAAD (see chapter: DAAD - the German Academic Exchange service)
using the contacts and recommendation of a professor in their home country to professors of TU Darmstadt
writing by post, fax or e-mail directly to a TUD professor whom the student knows or has heard of. Information may be found in the TUD web pages
contacting the TUD International Office
Applications only can be processed if all necessary documents will be attached.
1. Certificate of scholastic aptitude (certified copy of original)
2. Translation of 1. if original is in language other than English, French or German
3. Diploma showing grades or a grade-point average, should this not be included in 1.
4. Translation of 3. if original is in language other than English, French or German
5. university entrance examination (if applicable)
=> and should you have been enrolled at university before:
6. University records / degree and grade-point average (certified copy of original)
7. Translation of 6. if original is in language other than English, French or German
8. University diploma (certified copy of original)
9.Translation of 8. if original is in language other than English, French or German
All certificates and diplomas are to be handed in as OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED COPIES (NO ORIGINALS!). An officially certified copy must include:
1. Certification entry stating that the copy corresponds with the original (certification entry)
2. Signature of certifying person
3. Official seal (a plain stamp is not sufficient)
Each copy of an original or translation must bear an original seal. It is therefore advisable to make copies prior to having your documents certified.
Certifications will only be accepted if they have been issued by:
* the institution (school or university) which issued the original
* any court of justice in Germany (= Ortsgericht)
* a notary in Germany
* a German embassy or consulate abroad
* the corresponding foreign embassy or consulate in Germany
All certification must be presented in either GERMAN, ENGLISH or FRENCH. Certification in any other language must be translated.
Translations are to be certified
* by the corresponding embassy or consulate
* by an official interpreter who has been certified in Germany
If you will receive your certificate and degree later, please send a preliminary certificate to prove already passed examinations.
other documents you should attach
* curriculum vitae
* letter of interest
The curriculum vitae should highlight your academic education
(school, high school, university, )
The letter of interest should specify your field of interest (course of studies, specialisation or option you want to choose and your aims like academic degree, PhD work, )
Both are expected to be either machine typed or hand-written, but always readable.
Holders of scholarships from the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) or other national and international organisations need not be employed during their doctorate, but enrol as postgraduate students aiming at the doctoral degree.
Upon finishing the project, candidates write a thesis (Dissertation, Doktorarbeit) which they then submit to the faculty. After the thesis is accepted, they undergo an oral doctoral examination. In principle, only holders of first university degrees are entitled to access to the doctorate. But at present a governmental directive has introduced conditional admission to the doctorate for holders of the German Fachhochschule degree who have achieved outstanding results.
As a rule the prerequisites for the admission of international graduates to a TUD doctorate are
a masters degree from an internationally recognised university with a high grade
written confirmation from a TUD professor that he or she is willing to accept the candidate in his or her research team
It may be the case that candidates holding an international degree are admitted to the doctorate on the condition that they take certain courses related to their field of research and pass certain exams.
In 1989 a new basis was created for doctorates in the form of the so-called Graduiertenkolleg. This is an university institution which promotes the development of scientific staff in a defined research area where "...the doctoral candidates pursue their thesis work in the framework of a systematic and interdisciplinary study programme and in joint groups of researchers who co-ordinate their research activities" (Source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft). The Graduiertenkolleg offers not only improved conditions for German and international doctorates, but also provides funding in the form of scholarships.
There are various ways in which international students may find an TUD professor willing to supervise his or her doctorate:
applying through an organisation such as the DAAD (see chapter: DAAD - the German Academic Exchange service)
using the contacts and recommendation of a professor in their home country to professors of TU Darmstadt
writing by post, fax or e-mail directly to a TUD professor whom the student knows or has heard of. Information may be found in the TUD web pages
contacting the TUD International Office
Applications only can be processed if all necessary documents will be attached.
1. Certificate of scholastic aptitude (certified copy of original)
2. Translation of 1. if original is in language other than English, French or German
3. Diploma showing grades or a grade-point average, should this not be included in 1.
4. Translation of 3. if original is in language other than English, French or German
5. university entrance examination (if applicable)
=> and should you have been enrolled at university before:
6. University records / degree and grade-point average (certified copy of original)
7. Translation of 6. if original is in language other than English, French or German
8. University diploma (certified copy of original)
9.Translation of 8. if original is in language other than English, French or German
All certificates and diplomas are to be handed in as OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED COPIES (NO ORIGINALS!). An officially certified copy must include:
1. Certification entry stating that the copy corresponds with the original (certification entry)
2. Signature of certifying person
3. Official seal (a plain stamp is not sufficient)
Each copy of an original or translation must bear an original seal. It is therefore advisable to make copies prior to having your documents certified.
Certifications will only be accepted if they have been issued by:
* the institution (school or university) which issued the original
* any court of justice in Germany (= Ortsgericht)
* a notary in Germany
* a German embassy or consulate abroad
* the corresponding foreign embassy or consulate in Germany
All certification must be presented in either GERMAN, ENGLISH or FRENCH. Certification in any other language must be translated.
Translations are to be certified
* by the corresponding embassy or consulate
* by an official interpreter who has been certified in Germany
If you will receive your certificate and degree later, please send a preliminary certificate to prove already passed examinations.
other documents you should attach
* curriculum vitae
* letter of interest
The curriculum vitae should highlight your academic education
(school, high school, university, )
The letter of interest should specify your field of interest (course of studies, specialisation or option you want to choose and your aims like academic degree, PhD work, )
Both are expected to be either machine typed or hand-written, but always readable.
